Gold miners launch royalty offensive

THE CONFERENCE CALLER: Diggers & Dealers was chosen as the forum by the Gold Royalties Response Group (GRRG) to launch its new public awareness campaign against an anticipated rise in gold royalties.

The villain in the piece is the Colin Barnett-led Western Australian State Government, which has carried out a minerals royalty review that has suggested increasing the royalties paid by producers in the gold sector.

The GRRG ‘Heart of gold’ campaign will utilise radio and online advertising and social media, through which it will highlight the contribution made to WA by the sectors 25,000 employees.

The campaign aims to inform the general public about the gold sector’s contribution to the state’s economy by paying more than $2.8 billion in wages and over $300 million in taxes and royalties.

“Our mines are at the heart of many regional communities across the state and our employees live and work in the regions,” GRRG spokesman and Silver Lake Resources managing director Les Davis told gathered media.

 

“As gold producers and developers we support our employees’ efforts by investing directly in our local communities to ensure they remain strong and viable.

“This campaign is about sharing that message with all Western Australians.”

Current members of the GRRG include Doray Minerals, Gold Fields, Northern Star Resources, Norton Gold Fields, Ramelius Resources, Regis Resources, Millennium Minerals, Sliver Lake Resources, St Barbara, and Phoenix Gold.

The Group is working closely with the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CM), in responding to the royalty rate analysis under review by the WA state government.

Website: www.heartofgold.net.au