"The vision's focus is competitiveness, together with a strong sustainability element and the recognition that indigenous community engagement is vital in assuring the community's acceptance of resources industry activity," said WA State Development Minister Clive Brown, who chaired the council meeting.
The Council also discussed outcomes from a number of reports inquiring into mineral exploration in Australia and agreed to co-operate, where possible, to improve the climate for exploration investment.
"While the recent upturn in exploration activity is welcome, the council recognised that structural changes to the way the industry operates meant that a turnaround in world economic growth was no guarantee exploration would return to previous levels, or even that Australia could be assured of winning its share of that improvement," Brown said.
"The development of the mineral exploration action agenda, together with inputs from the Prosser and Bowler Inquiries, will identify those structural impediments to exploration and suggest avenues for action."
The Ministerial Council's vision for Australia's minerals and petroleum industry by 2025 was to have Australia recognised as a world-class location for mineral and petroleum exploration and development.
This recognition would come from Australia's attractiveness as an investment location, its demonstrated resource potential, environment practices, political and economic stability along with its advanced technological support and skilled worker base.
