Community Engagement

Community Engagement

Community Engagement

Working with Local Landowners

Austral Resources works closely with local landholders to ensure that our operations align with their needs and interests. We prioritize open communication and collaboration to address any concerns and maximize the benefits for both parties.

Our priorities include:

  • Active and genuine engagement with local landholders to understand their needs and concerns
  • Investment in critical and practical infrastructure such as roads, water supply systems and communication network upgrades that offers mutual long term benefit
  • Crisis response and preparedness. Working together with local land holders to develop and implement things such as fire management plans and responding to support the community during times of crisis such as bush fire season.

Partnering with Traditional Owners

Austral Resources acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners as the custodians of the land on which we operate. We are privileged to work on the traditional lands of both the Kalkadoon and the Indjalandji people, whose deep connections to the land is evident in their respective rich cultural histories and traditions.

We are committed to fostering respectful and collaborative partnerships with both parties.

Austral Resources is dedicated to:

  • Open Communication: We maintain open lines of communication with Traditional Owner groups, ensuring they are informed and involved in relevant decisions.
  • Cultural Respect: We acknowledge and respect the cultural heritage of Traditional Owners and integrate their perspectives into our operations.
  • Shared Benefits: We explore opportunities for collaboration that create shared benefits, promoting economic development and cultural preservation for Traditional Owner communities.

By working together, we can ensure that our operations are conducted in a way that respects the cultural heritage of the Traditional Owners and contributes positively to their communities.

Communication and Engagement

Austral are committed to communicating openly with our community and stakeholders. As a small tight knit community, most of our interactions and communication with our stakeholders is direct and informal. In addition to our regular less ceremonial catch ups, we also hold an annual ESG Sub Committee meeting, where we invite a diverse group of our stakeholders, including employees, landholders, traditional owners, supply partners and local government officials to share insights, discuss challenges and collaborate to shape our ESG agenda. We believe that by working together, we can identify opportunities to enhance our environmental stewardship, community and social impact, and governance practices.

As a part of our commitment to improving our communications, we also publish an update on our ESG program in both our quarterly reports and our annual report. Sharing our journey is not only part of our improved governance approach but is also about keeping our community and stakeholders informed on the progress of our program.

Stakeholder ESG Survey

Between December 2022 and January 2023, Austral Resources conducted an ESG Stakeholder Sentiment survey to gauge stakeholder opinions on ESG priorities. The survey, distributed to 215 stakeholders and receiving 26 responses, covered 12 ESG themes. Respondents included internal staff, board members, suppliers, contractors, community members, and other stakeholders. The results of the survey informed AR's high-level ESG strategy and resource allocation for the subsequent ESG program that was developed.

Austral are committed to continuing to work with our stakeholders to ensure that our program continues to reflect our shared priorities.

Sponsorship & Donations

As a small, community-focused mining operation, Austral Resources is dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities in which we operate. We believe in fostering positive, genuine, and meaningful engagement with our community and supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our region. Our sponsorship approach prioritizes projects and programs that directly benefit local residents and our workforce, ensuring maximum value for the community.

Some of our Community initiatives to date include:

  • Sponsoring the local U11 Representative team of the Mount Isa Amateur Netball Association, facilitating their competition in championships.
  • Sponsorship of the Yelvertolf Campdraft and Rodeo event
  • Donations to the IPCA Isolated Children’s Parents Association in Mt Isa
  • Support of the AusIMM NQ Branch Critical Minerals Forum
  • Donation of scrap Copper to
  • Supporting local land holders by providing water trucks, graders and troughs for use to local landowners as well as complimentary accommodation for mustering camps

To ensure a more transparent and standardized sponsorship process, we have developed a new Community Sponsorship Form. This form outlines clear criteria for assessing sponsorship applications, providing greater clarity for applicants and ensuring consistent decision-making for Austral.

We assess proposals based on:

  • Austral's values
  • Community impact
  • Financial feasibility
  • Brand alignment
    • [Link to community sponsorship form]