About
The Mineral Policy Institute [MPI] is an international civil society organisation with a volunteer board representing members from across the world. Operating from Australia we focus on assisting communities affected by specific mining projects and on achieving industry reform through improvements to policy, law and practice.
With a strong emphasis on self-determination and subsidiarity (the basis for free prior and informed consent), MPI undertakes a supportive and background role to assist mining affected communities. Our aim, and our role is to support communities to more effectively protect their rights and respond to mining issues that impact on them.
While mining disproportionately impacts the developing world, however, the decisions that govern these projects are made and need to be influenced in the developed world. MPI has the expertise, the experience and the networks to assist communities and to access the many mining companies based in Australia [also US, UK, South Africa and Canada] and their investors from around world.
We are guided by a vision of a just and sustainable mineral cycle where human rights are protected, impacts dramatically reduced and mineral/fuel efficiency and reuse is paramount. While we believe that minerals/fuel are central to the quality of human life today, the benefits of the current minerals systems are greatly skewed to a relatively small global elite. MPI plays a key role in addressing this paradox… to increase the equitable distribution of the benefits while decreasing the social injustices and environmental impacts of the mineral/fuel system.
As an industry watchdog, we rely on community funding to ensure our independence from industry. Seeking to improve and influence an industry that plans in decades, we require funding to progress and achieve long-term strategic goals and to assist communities who are impacted by mining today, tomorrow and in the future.
When, why and where we started – and how we keep going
The Mineral Policy Institute [MPI] was constituted in 1995 in response to a recognised lack of capacity and expertise for communities and civil society to respond to and engage in mining issues. Particularly where Australian companies were involved in mining overseas without adequate legislation, regulation and monitoring. Since that time MPI has worked on mining issues in the Pacific, Europe, Africa, Asia and also in Australia. MPI has been effective in responding to and reducing negative mining impacts, but much remains to be done.
As mining continues to expand, the number and scale of the negative impacts from mining on people and place are also increasing. So too does corporate influence and dominance over local, national and global priorities. Unfortunately, while much of the enormous wealth from mining continues to be concentrated in the hands of a few people in developed countries, the negative impacts from mining are disproportionately felt by indigenous peoples and the disadvantaged in both developed and developing countries.
With the help of its members, funders and supporters, MPI will continue its to work to protect the environment and assist those impacted by mining.
Funding MPI
The Mineral Policy Institute relies on donations and grants to fund our activities. Donations to MPI of more than $2.00 are tax-deductible. You can make a donation online through GiveNow, a free and secure online donation facility.
Traditionally our funding comes from small donors and charitable trusts. Our donors understand both the imbalance of power between mining-affected communities and, often, the combined might of government and multinational mining companies; and the link between unrestrained mining and significant environmental impacts, with direct and indirect human rights violations.
MPI is an Australian Income Tax Exempt Charity and is exempt from Income Tax under section 50-5 of the Income Assessment Tax Act 1997. MPI is authorised to fundraise for charitable purposes under the Charitable Fundraising Act, 1991). MPI is entered on the Register of Environmental Organisations and is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations under Item 6.1. of Table 6 in Sub-section 78(4) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.
2023/2024 MPI Board of Management
- Ms Mia Pepper (Deputy Chair, Secretary)
- Mr Richard Maquire (Treasurer; Public Officer)
- Dr Lian Sinclair (Chair)
- Dr Charles Roche (Executive Director)
and we thank and miss Dr Gavin Mudd (Former Director 2010-2016, Chair from 2016-30th Oct 2023)