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The 2024 AEMEE National Resource Sector Awards presentation will highlight the success of Indigenous businesses that service and support the resource sector in Australia. It will also recognise other businesses that support Indigenous business development and Indigenous employment through strong leadership, good management, effective partnerships and bold and innovative thinking. The Mining and Resource Sector is the largest private sector employer of Indigenous Australians and has invested more than $10 billion over the past 10 years.  There are a number of Indigenous businesses doing well on the back of this huge investment and there are a number resource companies that have supported and developed very successful Indigenous economic and employment development programs.  AEMEE developed these awards in 2018 to recognise the contribution of such businesses and initiatives.

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Resource Sector Business of the Year 

This award recognises a Resource Sector Business that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to providing opportunities for economic development and a true market share for Indigenous Australians. This can be demonstrated through engagement with Indigenous business; through its supply chain alongside the commitment to community engagement. 

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New Indigenous Business of the Year 

This award recognises an Indigenous Start up Business (< 3 years in operation) that has successfully brought their business idea to realisation, introduced their services to the resource sector and can demonstrate the potential for significant sustainable growth into the future.  Must be an Indigenous owned (51%) business in operation for at least one year. The two New Indigenous Business of the Year finalists will receive one Indigenous Business Registration Ticket, return flights and accommodation for one business representative.  

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Indigenous Business of the Year 

This award acknowledges an Indigenous Business that demonstrates outstanding success in the areas of: 

• Economic growth 

• Management 

• Marketing 

• Customer Service 

• Innovation 

• Business Exposure 

• Community Engagement and  

• Years of Operation with the potential for significant sustainable growth into the future.  

​It is acknowledged that businesses range in size and the diversification of their activities.  The judging panel at their discretion will have the option of selecting up to four finalists and two winners to take account of those differences. Must be an Indigenous owned business (51%) in operation for at least four years.​ 

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Resource Sector Collaboration of the Year 

The Resource Sector Collaboration Award recognises outstanding collaboration between a Mining Company or Industry body and at least one Indigenous business or organisation, resulting in the implementation of projects that strengthen the economic, social or cultural capacity of Indigenous peoples and their community in ways that are measurable and can be expected to have enduring benefit, sustainable beyond the life of the resource operation.  The winning collaboration will represent an example of excellence in social responsibility which raises the bar on what can be achieved in the sector. 

Note: collaboration versus Partnership
A ‘collaboration’ is where two or more parties work together to achieve shared goals. A ‘partnership’ is a business structure where two or more parties enter a contractual relationship in which they can legally share profits, risks and losses according to terms set out in their partnership agreement.  The key difference between a partnership and collaboration is that parties who work collaboratively do not necessarily need to be bound contractually. This award is to recognise outstanding collaborations, not partnerships.

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