Seafloor exploration and mining in Australia: Stakeholder reactions, expectations and desired level of engagement - Synthesis Report

[摘要] Australia's seafloor exploration and mining (SEM) industry is small, new and unknown relative to its onshore (or terrestrial mining) counterpart. However, it is set to grow and the opportunity exists to establish a comprehensive understanding of the social, environmental and economic impacts of this new and emerging industry. This report summarises the findings of a suite of social research studies seeking to understand the impact and acceptability ofAustralia’s nascent SEM industry. This research was undertaken in 2009-10 and has the following objectives:1. Determine what information stakeholders need in order to be able to assess the acceptability of SEM.2. Establish the conditions under which SEM is acceptable to stakeholders.3. Ascertain the levels at which potential environmental and social impacts become unacceptable to stakeholders.4. Assess whether stakeholders consider different factors when evaluating the acceptability of SEM proposals as compared to onshore exploration and mining proposals.5. Explore the characteristics of a best practice regulatory framework for SEM.This synthesis distils the findings from five studies and is published as an overview of the research. Together, these studies provide insight into the concerns and expectations of stakeholders, their information needs and desired level of engagement, and thus into the conditions surrounding the ‘social licence to operate’ for SEM in Australia.The findings from this research reveal that some stakeholders have reservations regarding the development of SEM in Australia, primarily driven by their environmental concerns. Regardless of their stance, most stakeholders believe further information is needed to objectively weigh up the potential costs and benefi ts of the industry. This suggests that environmental values do not completely outweigh all other values in this area. Decisions about the acceptability of SEM appear to involve trade-offs between multiple objectives (i.e. environmental vs. economic vs. social).Stakeholders need to feel confi dent that there are mechanisms (i.e. regulatory frameworks, watchdogs, independent research, stakeholder consultation) in place to ensure their interests are protected. If SEM were to expand in Australia, the industry might consider:1. Building trust amongst stakeholders by addressing and communicating about:a. the current level of scientific knowledge about the marine environment;b. the processes that will be used to ensure comprehensive and impartial information about the impacts ofSEM; andc. the integrity of the regulatory system governing SEM.2. Engaging stakeholders and giving them a more complete picture of costs and benefits of SEM.Overall, a precautionary approach towards SEM was favoured by stakeholders, supported by rigorous scientific analysis of the potential environmental impacts, transparent and socially responsive management processes, and genuine stakeholder engagement.Findings from the social science component of this research is being used to help inform the future directionof scientific research undertaken by CSIRO and the way in which findings are communicated to stakeholders.Ultimately, the combined social and environment research will contribute to the development of a sophisticated knowledge base that can be used to inform the SEM industry.

[发布机构] CSIRO

[学科分类] 地球科学(综合)