Over two days, the Mabo Centre convened Traditional Owners, Indigenous business leaders, resources industry representatives, and investors to address some of the critical economic and human rights issues facing the resources sector at the Resources Industry Standards Schemes Symposium.
Hosted by the Mabo Centre in partnership with the National Native Title Council (NNTC) and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), attendees heard from Traditional Owners, Indigenous business leaders and resources industry representatives during discussions on the evolving landscape of resources industry standards schemes.
Conversations centred on the practical application of global frameworks protecting Indigenous human rights to enshrine self-determination in industry standards schemes, highlighting the growing influence of investors in shaping outcomes for First Nations communities while moving toward sustainable economic development.
UNDRIP and industry standards schemes
As resource industry standards schemes evolve in response to cultural heritage considerations and address issues of risk, social license, and investor expectations, there is a growing need for industry to go beyond compliance in order to achieve greater credibility, transparency and alignment with international human rights and Indigenous rights frameworks such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Crucially, incorporating the rights of First Nations peoples into resource industry standards schemes calls for more meaningful engagement and genuine relationship building with First Nations communities on Country.
Including Indigenous voices in project planning supports more informed decision-making and ensures that standards schemes are created and implemented in line with both international human rights frameworks and community needs.
Industry standards schemes and economic self-determination
Industry standards schemes are challenged to balance the interests of industry and the laws applicable to their operation with the rights of First Nations peoples. Ensuring First Nations representation in decision-making forums and respect for local autonomy and community authority can assist industry standards schemes to contribute to the economic self-determination of First Nations peoples and support aspirations for economic empowerment.
Moving forward, economic equity and partnership and access to capital are critical for First Nations communities to foster true self-determination through economic means.
Application of industry standards schemes
Practical implementation and accessibility are highlighted as critical for the success of evolving resources industry standards schemes. While existing global human rights frameworks provide valuable guidance for the development of standards schemes, there is a clear need to make these frameworks accessible, scalable, and relevant at the local level.
Clear, practical guidelines for industry are essential to drive real change on the ground. Symposium attendees were introduced to some of the work being undertaken in this area, particularly where small-medium resources industry operators are concerned. And increasingly, investors are considering cultural heritage, social responsibility, and long-term relationships with First Nations communities when choosing where and how to invest.
Continuing the conversation
The Resources Industry Standards Schemes Symposium provided a starting point to continue important discussions on the intersection of human rights, First Nations economic self-determination, and resources industry standards schemes.
The Centre will continue to provide opportunities for Traditional Owners, Indigenous business leaders and industry representatives to convene and share knowledge and expertise.
Symposium partners and presenters
The Mabo Centre thanks our partners NNTC and MCA for their support in hosting this symposium. The Centre also thanks all presenters from the NNTC, MCA, Initiative for the Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), Consolidated Mining Standards Initiative, Towards Sustainable Mining, Dhawura Ngilan Business and Investor Initiative, Indigenous Business Australia, UN Global Compact, and CBUS, as well as all panel members and attendees for their valuable contributions to these conversations about resources industry standards schemes.
The Centre acknowledges all Traditional Owners and their representatives who travelled from across this great land to Wurundjeri Country to share knowledge and expertise across the two days.
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April 8, 2026