In the past year, BHP and other mining companies have also been caught up in geopolitical tensions between Australia and China. Since late 2020, Beijing has been enforcing an unofficial ban on shipments of coal arriving from Australia, and there have been concerns across the industry that tensions could spill over into other commodities such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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Mr Henry said the federal government should increase its foreign affairs funding to support the ongoing prosperity of the mining industry, which had helped underpin Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery.

“We do find ourselves in a world that is more volatile, more uncertain,” he said. “We would like to see them [DFAT - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade] as a winner coming out of the next budget.”

Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt said he was working with the sector to grow exports, including investing to boost the available skilled workforce. He pointed to the government’s $30 million funding a for mining and manufacturing school at Central Queensland University and a $585 million investment in vocational education and training including funding incentives for apprenticeships.

The sector had employed a record number of 5800 apprentices over the past year, Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said the government’s $20 million Global Resources Strategy announced last year would identify new export markets and expand trade.

Labor resources spokesperson Madeleine King said she has received industry feedback about a growing number of companies suffering skills shortages. Ms King said Labor would commit to more local training, and called on the government to enhance regional co-operation.

“For nearly a decade, the Liberal-National Government has cut TAFE and slashed apprenticeships. Today we have 70,000 fewer apprenticeships and traineeships compared to 2013,” Ms King said.

“Labor will make TAFE free for in-demand skills, and our Skills Plan will boost critical workforces by providing 465,000 Free TAFE places, including 45,000 new TAFE places.

“We urge the Morrison-Joyce Government to heed the advice from one of our most important exporters on the need to work with like-minded countries to build a region that is stable, peaceful and prosperous.“