Ninety-three stakeholders were asked to comment on the impact of mines across the region with results collated into a report, released today by the NSW Minerals Council.

The report forms part of the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue commissioned by the council, which aims to address community concerns about mining in the region and improve the environmental, social and economic outcomes of the mining industry.

“While individual companies are managing environmental impacts and working with their local communities, the feedback from this survey shows that we have much more to do,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Dr Nikki Williams said.

Stakeholders were selected to participate from a range of professional backgrounds including mining, community groups, local councils, agribusiness, education, media, government, environment, industry and business representatives.

The report identified that most stakeholders interviewed believed the community had a negative perception of the mining industry and that the key issues to be addressed included dust, air quality, employment and mine development concerns.

The report said the issues raised most often by stakeholders required a collaborative approach from mines, government and community to successfully address the cumulative impact mines have had on the region.

“The results tell us that there is a high degree of concern that we need to thoroughly understand,” Dr Williams said.

“Working through these issues with the community is one of the most important priorities for us in 2011 and beyond.”

Three working groups have been formed to address priority areas addressed in the report.

The groups comprise stakeholders as well as representatives from the region’s mines.

The Report on Stakeholder Survey is available online www.nswmin.com.au/uhmd/ aspx.