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The objective of this study was to explore the association between ambient temperature and injuries and illnesses experienced by mine industry workers. Eleven years of de-identified data from a mine industry company in Australia was explored in regards to injuries and illnesses occurring due to outdoor exposure. Each case was filtered for reported symptoms, and meteorological data to match the location of the mine site and date reported were sourced. Of the 18 931 injuries and illnesses observed over the 11-year period, 151 cases of heat-related illness due to outdoor exposure were reported. Twenty-five conditions/symptoms of heat-illness were found, with the most prevalent being dehydration (n = 81), followed by heat rash (n = 40), dizziness (n = 24), and headache (n = 23). The mean number of symptoms reported by each worker was 2 ± 1. There was a positive correlation between ambient temperature and injuries/illnesses (r 2 = 0.89, P < 0.001), where, as temperature increased so did the number of reported heat-related illnesses. Underreporting of heat-related illness and injury in the mining industry is likely, which is a risk to the health and wellbeing of employees. Workers require industry specific training about the severity of heat stress and the associated prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate complex cognitive function, manual dexterity and psycho-physiological parameters in tradesmen working outdoors in the mining industry during summer and winter. Methods: Twenty-six males working in a mining village in the north-west of Australia were assessed pre- and post-an 11-h shift at the start, middle, and end of a 14-day swing in summer (average daily temperature: 33.9°C, 38% RH; n = 12) and winter (24.3°C, 36% RH; n = 14). Results: Working memory performance did not differ between seasons, over the swing or shift (p ≥ 0.053). Processing efficiency and manual dexterity performance did not differ between seasons (p ≥ 0.243), yet improved over the course of the swing (p ≤ 0.001) and shift (p ≤ 0.001). Core temperature, heart rate, thermal comfort, rating of perceived exertion and thermal sensation were not significantly different between seasons (p ≥ 0.076); however, average shift dehydration was greater in winter compared to summer (1.021 ± 0.005 vs. 1.018 ± 0.006; p = 0.014). Conclusion: The ability to self-regulate the intensity of activity likely helped outdoor workers to thermoregulate effectively, minimising thermal strain during their swings and shifts, in turn explaining unaltered cognitive function and manual dexterity performance between seasons. Regardless of season, workers should receive education on dehydration and workplace risks to protect their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the relationship between neoliberal ideology and 'actually existing neoliberalism'. Critical scholarship on neoliberalism identifies significant discrepancies between neoliberal ideology and neoliberal state practice in advanced economies, but struggles to account for the exact relationship between ideology and practice. Through a critical reading of neoliberal thinker Milton Friedman, I propose two hypotheses. Firstly, I argue that access to power resources determine which social actors are able to successfully resist neoliberal reform, and therefore that attention to power relations can account for the variegated, uneven development of neoliberalism. Secondly, I suggest neoliberal reforms limiting the role of government have allowed corporate actors to accrue unprecedented economic and political power, which is leveraged by corporations to create increasingly pro-corporate, but often anti-neoliberal, forms of economic regulation. I test my hypotheses by examining the regulation of the mining industry in Australia from 2009 to 2019, finding strong support for both claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to establish whether clinical depression and increased suicide risk differed between Australian fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers and their residential counterparts in the resources sector. We also sought to identify whether bullying and social support were associated with depression and suicide risk in this cohort. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used. Completed questionnaires were received from 751 respondents who were employed in the Australian resources sector. Primary outcomes were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Negative Acts Questionnaire – Revised. A general linear model was used to examine the association between depression, hopelessness and predictive factors. Results: The results of a general linear model analysis demonstrated that depression (partial η2 = 0.02; P = 0.01) and hopelessness (partial η2 = 0.02; P = 0.02) were significantly higher in residential than FIFO workers. In addition, bullying was significantly associated with higher levels of depression (partial η2 = 0.11; P = 0.001) and hopelessness (partial η2 = 0.04; P = 0.001). Finally, increased social support was significantly associated with lower depression rates (partial η2 = 0.13; P = 0.001) and hopelessness (partial η2 = 0.14; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Interventions should be delivered to reduce depression and hopelessness in Australian resource workers, particularly through addressing workplace bullying and enhancing social support. What is known about the topic?: One-third of Australian resource workers experience psychosocial distress. Research examining factors that influence such distress is lacking. What does this paper add?: The results of this study demonstrate that clinical depression and suicide risk were significantly higher in residential resource workers than in FIFO workers. Depression and suicide risk were directly associated with workplace bullying. In addition, social support was an important protective factor against depression and bullying in Australian FIFO and residential resource workers. What are the implications for practitioners?: There is an urgent need to introduce interventions that reduce psychosocial distress in the resource sector, particularly through the mitigation of bullying [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abolition of the Australian Workplace Agreements by the Rudd Labor government in 2007 was viewed by management of mining organisations as a direct threat to the industry’s preferred workplace relations. These statutory individual agreements had provided management with high levels of prerogative and excluded unions from the workplace. This qualitative case study analyses the strategic choices that management in the Western Australian mining industry made in response to these policy changes. It details how management set out on a strategic course of action to preserve as much of the existing practices as possible. Drawing upon the analytical construct of ‘regulatory space’, it is shown how organisations managed to consolidate their individualised workplace relations well into the collectivised Fair Work regime. The construct brings to the forefront the significance of the intricacies of political processes in the making of legislation as well as the power relationships between regulators and regulatees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the idea that agricultural farmlands and natural resources exploration can co-exist is rhetorically sound, emerged and rising realities question this claim. Past studies, particularly ones taking a corporate–community relation stance, have largely explored these emerging realities. This paper contributes an alternate perspective to the debate by presenting a procedural viewpoint on the subject in the light of empirical highlights. The Surat Resource Region in Queensland, Australia, which is noted for its rich agricultural farmlands and natural resources endowment, is considered an appropriate case region for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative empirical findings show that empowerment, cultural adhocracy, and value-led partnership are the missing procedural elements that need to be enforced and incorporated into resource development planning strategies. The study offers a strategy framework for integrative resource development planning research, whose policy and practical application are promising. Study findings aim to increase the robustness of resource development strategies through enhanced understanding of the planning and management processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite increasing recognition that the world's social and environmental problems cannot be addressed solely by business, government or society in isolation, the role of partnerships in rural development has only recently started to attract the interest of rural studies scholars. The study adds to the growing stream of research by investigating how the information age's emerging social challenge – the digital divide – influences rural partnerships and development. Burgeoning literature evidences that the digital divide encompasses not one but many discontinuities. This paper reconceptualises the digital divide concept and explores exactly how its shocks and tensions impact rural partnerships and development. Results of this research indicate that the digital divide is a threat to the performance of rural partnerships, which consequently renders rural development outcomes unsustainable, lopsided and non-participatory. This paper recommends the need for a more responsive and localised approach to rural development partnerships that can enable disadvantaged groups to participate in today's digitally connected economy and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines auditor industry specialization effects in Perth, a remote mining town in Australia characterized by a large number of small, homogeneous firms. We consider the impact of leadership by the non-Big 4 auditor BDO Kendalls (BDO) for a sample of 371 mining development stage entities (MDSEs). After controlling for factors known to determine audit fees, we find no evidence of auditor industry leadership fee premiums accruing to BDO, a result robust to a range of sensitivity tests including the broadening of tests Australia-wide. However, when the dependent variable is redefined to the total "bundle" of services provided by the audit firm (including audit and non-audit fees), the industry leader is shown to earn a fee premium suggesting BDO uses audits as a conduit to supply higher-margin non-audit services. Our findings suggest that strategic pricing by industry leaders may not be confined to Big 4 firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors provide their opinion on the Australian mining industry's collective action against country's 2010 Resources Super Profits Tax (RSPT). The authors argue that the mining industry's advocacy advertising provides an example of the social scientist M. Olson's theory of business collective action. An article on the Australian mining industry's political activity by D. McKnight and M. Hobbs, which appeared within the journal, volume 48, is often referenced.

In this paper we use evidence from the recent trajectories of mining industry associations in the Australian federation to argue for the significance of institutional explanations for the formation and maintenance of interest groups. We argue that the recent lack of consultation by the Commonwealth government with the Minerals Council of Australia over resources rent taxation proposals reflected a weakness that resulted from the shifting basis of associability stemming from institutional changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the Australian Government's call for a resource rent tax for iron ore and coal; and extension of the existing rent tax for petroleum. Our main objective has been to address the Australian Government's conduct of the tax reform consultation process for its proposed resource rent tax legislation. To ascertain the Government's effectiveness in the consultative process toward legislative design, our focus is on the contentious issue of the method for valuation of starting-base assets (or capital assets) because of their deductibility from revenue subject to tax. This paper analyses relevant stakeholder submissions to the Government's request for input on the valuation of starting-base assets for Australia's proposed resource rent taxes. We use the perspective of stakeholder theory and grounded theory methodology. The results of our research indicate that the Australian Government has lacked effectiveness in this consultation process. The contribution of this paper is of a grounded theory that frames three recommendations to improve the consultation process. We anticipate that the adoption of these recommendations would enhance the legitimacy of outcomes and promote taxpayer confidence in the resource rent taxes as well as eventually improve compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to answer the question of how much of its current production a gold producer should hedge by forward selling. We develop a model which allows a company manager to determine the optimal (profit-maximising) hedge, and an estimate of the risk of company failure, based on an estimate of the forward price of gold; the mine's operating costs; and the company's tolerance to debt. The model is illustrated with data drawn from historical gold prices and recent Australian company data. By simulating multiple instances of companies operating with different degrees of forward selling under varying levels of volatility in the price of gold, it was shown that the optimal degree of forward selling increased as volatility increased. The model allows managers to gain insights into the effect of volatility on a company's return given its particular cost structure which in turn, supports more informed decision making. The model illustrates why, during the recent period of constant growth and low volatility in gold prices, gold producers are reducing their hedge books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2005, a burgeoning wave of Chinese investments has set off a new 'minerals boom' in the Australian iron ore and coal mining sectors. While normally a welcome development, the state-owned and strategic nature of the investors has raised concerns in Australia about how these should be regulated. As a result, in February 2008 the Australian government declared an intention to more closely screen foreign direct investment (FDI) from state-owned sources, which both supporters and detractors alike have claimed is evidence of 'resource nationalism' in Australia's approach towards its trade and investment relationships with China. This article challenges this understanding through an examination of the characteristics of Chinese mining FDI, the dilemmas these present to the Australian government, and the relatively restrained nature of its response. Through this, Australia's FDI policy is explained as a defensive move against the potential for strategic behaviour by Chinese investors resulting from their state ownership, rather than any national program to subject minerals trade and investment to political control. On this basis, the article argues that Australian government policy instead evidences a 'resource liberalism' approach, which intends to ensure that the governance of Australia's minerals trade and investment with China remain market-based processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview is presented of recent work on the environmental changes impacting on Australia and the policy responses of the State and Commonwealth governments, especially over the last ten years. This period has seen a remarkably stable phase of conservative government administration in Canberra and consistent resistance to a strong environmental policy agenda, both domestically and internationally. Attention is focused particularly on rural and regional Australia, rather than on urban areas. The paper discusses the role of environmental issues in recent elections and also details the results of relevant opinion polls charting changes in environmental attitudes. The problems posed by the federal system of administration are outlined as are recent analyses and counter-analyses of the state of the Australian environment. A more fundamental problem with liberal democracy and environmental values is also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number, range and foci of voluntary initiatives have been growing rapidly over the last decade, but there is still debate as to whether they work 'on the ground'. The paper begins by defining voluntary initiatives and considers their relative strengths and weaknesses. The main factors contributing to their effectiveness-monitoring, transparency, enforcement, content and compulsoriness-are discussed and are then reviewed in light of an Australian case study of a mining industry initiative. Interviews with mining industry executives and other stakeholders are used to offer insights into the ways in which the efficacy of voluntary initiatives might be improved. It is here that a paradox emerges: the voluntary initiatives with the most potential for success appear to be those that are, effectively, compulsory. The paper concludes by discussing the key ways in which 'compulsory' voluntary initiatives might differ from command-and-control regulation and the broader implications of this apparent movement towards the privatisation of regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of recent revisions to the dose coefficients published in ICRP-137 and ICRP-141 for members of the 232 Th, 238 U and 235 U decay series on radiation doses received by Western Australian mine workers via the inhalation of insoluble dusts containing long-lived alpha particle emitting radionuclides.Whilst some dose coefficients for individual members of the decay series have decreased, the nett effect is that the sum of all dose coefficients in all three decay series have increased as a result of the revisions. The increase is inversely related to Activity Median Aerodynamic Diameter.Assuming the radionuclides in the inhaled dusts are in secular equilibrium, the dose conversion factors (the mean committed effective dose per unit intake of alpha activity) will increase by a factor between 1.9 and 2.9 times.In 2019, 11 mining operations in Western Australia submitted an annual report of worker radiation exposures to the regulatory authority. The reports indicate that between 35% and 60% of the committed effective doses to workers arises from inhalation of insoluble radioactive dusts. Applying an AMAD of 5 μm and a 232 Th decay series to 238+235 U decay series ratio of 10:1, committed effective doses to the workforce are greater by a factor of between 0.74 and 1.26 times from those reported in 2018-19 as a result of the revised DCs published in ICRP-137 and ICRP-141.Guidance on how to calculate doses from the inhalation of radioactive dusts is provided in the regulatory authority's Guideline ' NORM-5: Dose Assessment ', which will need revision to incorporate the revised dose coefficients. The Guideline has been widely distributed outside of Western Australia, and those jurisdictions which have adopted all, or sections of it, into their legal framework for radiation protection may need to consider the impact of the revision., (© 2020 Society for Radiological Protection. Published on behalf of SRP by IOP Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.)