The latest instalment in AIG’s Australian geoscientist employment survey is open for submissions. Follow this link to complete the survey.
The third quarter 2020 employment survey showed an increase in the unemployment rate, but a decrease in underemployment amongst self-employed geoscientists, interpreted to reflect the continued impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. This result was considerably better than a number of analysts predicted, a sign of resilience demonstrated by the exploration and mining sector in particular.
Several states continued to be deeply affected by the coronavirus while others demonstrated signs of a recovery, including increases in business activity and easing of travel restrictions both within and between states. How was geoscience employment affected?
The survey typically takes only two or three minutes to complete. You do not need to be an AIG member to contribute. No data that could personally identify respondents is collected. Contributions to the survey are sought from both employed and unemployed geoscientists to ensure the relevance of results. Your completing the survey really helps to make a difference to the standing and knowledge of our profession.
The survey will be open for contributions until Saturday, 19th January, 2021. Every contribution adds to the reliability of the survey results.
Sincere thanks in advance for your support of this survey series.
“…The elephant in the room is that the devaluation of mining companies cannot be explained by the commodity price, instead it is dictated by the self-inflicted mistakes of a commodity boom, and the irresponsible management of these assets.”
“…The elephant in the room is that most of these mining companies believe that the commodity boom will continue to bail out their lackadaisical management and operations.”
“…The elephant in the room is that mining companies, in the past, maximised returns for an ever-rising gold price; optimising project resources for scale rather than payback and returns.”
“…The elephant in the room is that the mining industry has made so many mistakes… in the geological modelling… in community relations… in environmental planning… in capital markets… in communicating with investors and…in overpromising and promoting their business.”
“…The elephant in the room is that the mining industry has lost the trust of the most serious investors, causing an exodus of capital that will not return quickly.”
We often complain that there seems to be a continuous exodus of investors out of mining. We lay the blame for this on a number of things: mining is a risky business and investors just do not get us; the boom and bust cycles make it difficult for these investors to stay around; and the common and ever present excuse, it is all because of the commodity price. Maybe it is time that we recognised that as an industry we have lost the trust of investors because of the failures of our recent past in returning value to shareholders. Maybe what these absent investors are asking for, is the opportunity to make real investments that have a potential to deliver long term returns and not just over-hyped stock plays.
Our guest today is Jonathan Goodman, President and CEO of Dundee Corporation, a company with a long and successful pedigree of investing in the mining and resources industry. He joins us to talk about how as an industry we need to start addressing some of these “elephants in the room”.
I am very pleased to announce that Josh Leigh accepted an invitation to join the AIG Board, filling the casual vacancy created by Wendy Beets’s resignation as an AIG director.
Josh is an early career geoscientist who was one of the driving forces behind the establishment and success of AIG’s National Graduate Group. He brings considerable enthusiasm and personal understanding of issues facing graduates and early career geoscientists that I’m confident will have a positive influence in board deliberations and decisions.
Josh is currently Principal Geologist with EARTH AI, a Brisbane-based explorer.
Please join with me in welcoming Josh to his new role, which he will hold until the next Annual General Meeting.
I would like to sincerely thank Wendy for her contribution to our Institute through her work as a Director and, recently, as Vice President. Wendy will continue as a member of AIG’s Publications Committee which helps to manage AIG’s print and on-line publications, and development of the Institute’s website and social media offerings.
Congratulations Josh!
Andy Wilde has accepted the role of AIG Vice President. Welcome Andy to your expanded role.
Andrew Waltho
