New documentary shows transformative changes underway in Australian gold mining
Australia’s gold mining industry to shine the spotlight on groundbreaking partnerships between Indigenous Businesses and Gold Mining in Australia that are exemplary of modern mining.
Perth, 2 June, 2025: A new film about visionary people and partnerships driving greater Indigenous leadership and involvement in Australia’s gold mining industry will premiere this Thursday, hosted by the World Gold Council, Gold Industry Group and Minerals Council of Australia.
Set in Western Australia’s Goldfields, GOLD: The Journey Continues – Australia, demonstrates how the local gold industry, First Nations communities, and businesses are collaborating to deepen Indigenous participation in Western Australia’s vast gold mining sector. The film is the third in a global series, produced by the World Gold Council, telling real stories of those who live and work in responsible gold mining operations.
Terry Heymann, World Gold Council Chief Strategy Officer, comments on the film:
“The ‘Journey Continues’ series aims to bring to life the social and community value being generated through responsible gold mining, a sector more known for its economic contribution.
“Given Australia is the world’s third-largest gold producer and home to what is widely regarded as the oldest Indigenous culture, we’ve long wanted to explore the wisdom, experiences and learnings embedded in Australia’s gold mining sector.
“A sustainable gold mining industry is contingent on championing ways for Indigenous people to preserve their deep connections to land and nature while benefit as active participants. Exploring partnerships that are achieving this through courage, trust, patience and resilience to overcome what can be exciting but complex challenges has been an immensely insightful and rewarding experience. We are proud to share these learnings on a global scale.”
Central to the film is mining services company, Carey Group, which employs First Nations people at all levels and geographies, anchored by its 30-year partnership with global gold mining group, AngloGold Ashanti.
Carey Group Founder and Managing Director, Daniel Tucker AM, an Indigenous leader, has played a key role forging new pathways for Indigenous people, fusing traditional knowledge with a business mindset and skills. Rowena Leslie, co-founder of mining services firm Kai Rho Contracting, also featured in the film, was mentored by Tucker. Similarly, Gohar Rind, owner of technology firm Yira Yarkiny Group, benefited from a Carey Group scholarship.
At the heart of these partnerships is the vision and foresight of AngloGold Ashanti, which has enabled them to begin, grow and develop beyond mining. Contractual arrangements have been augmented with business coaching and mentoring.
Andrea Maxey, AngloGold Ashanti Vice President Investor Relations, Communication & ESG, comments:
“Supporting local economies and communities is core to AngloGold Ashanti’s purpose and embedded in our culture across all our business process, so our approach to contracting goes beyond cost-efficiency and strong contract management. Our purchasing and supply chain team works closely with our community team to ensure mechanisms that build trust, cultural awareness, and hands-on support are built into contracts. It is a more dynamic process that is geared around values and long-term impact, best implemented at the start of new mining projects.”
The strong price support for gold, which World Gold Council analysts expect to hold, augers well for new projects and impetus to re-think supply chains. US$ gold is up 27% year to date and 41% over the last 12 months.1
In this environment, some domestic mine sites across Western Australia and beyond are being revived as they become more economically viable and sustainable. This trend of commissioning new gold development is expected to continue as ongoing geo-economic uncertainty underpins gold price strength over the longer term.
Wayne Bramwell, Gold Industry Group Chair, comments:
“We are in a golden era for gold in Australia. Record prices are driving exploration and production, creating both opportunity and responsibility. Across the country, we’re seeing powerful progress - with more Indigenous businesses playing an active role in gold mining, and more companies, like Gold Industry Group member AngloGold Ashanti, fostering partnerships built on trust, respect and shared value.
“As part of our role in connecting Australians to gold, we’re proud to support this powerful film that captures the leadership of Daniel Tucker and the Carey Group. It highlights what our gold industry can achieve when opportunity is shared, and values are aligned. It’s a story every Australian should see and be proud of - and one we’re excited to help bring into classrooms and homes nationwide.”
Daniel Tucker AM, Carey Group Founder and Managing Director, shares his perspective:
“Aboriginal-owned business participation in mining is on a journey, one that for us started 30 years ago with a blank canvas but a strong vision to work and thrive in industries that had long left us out. Our breakthrough came in 1996 when AngloGold Ashanti (then Acacia Resources) saw more opportunity than risk in creating Australia’s first indigenous partnership with Carey Group. Fast forward to today, and our journey is inspiring First Nations people across Australia and in regions as far afield as Canada to consider similar models.
“We are proud and grateful to share our story in this documentary. When looking at Aboriginal business in the larger industry scope, it’s still in its infancy. There is still so much opportunity for First Nations-owned businesses to grow, diversify and achieve major milestones into the future. For Carey, our journey towards creating lasting, meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal people in the mining and resources sector certainly continues.”
Tania Constable, Minerals Council of Australia Chief Executive Officer, added:
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are fundamental partners in the Australian mining sector, and this powerful film highlights what is possible when partnerships are built on trust, shared values and mutual respect.
“Achieving improvements in intergenerational health and wealth for Indigenous communities is a key objective of modern mining. As this documentary shows, responsible gold mining can support Indigenous businesses, promote co-design principles, and help strengthen ties across sectors.
“The leadership shown by Carey Group, and the long-standing partnership with AngloGold Ashanti, demonstrates how industry can play a meaningful role in Closing the Gap — not only through employment and apprenticeships, but by enabling Indigenous people and businesses to lead, grow and thrive.”
Terry Heymann, World Gold Council, concluded:
“All local communities should benefit from responsible mining, including Indigenous communities. Making the most of their participation requires corporate leadership and collaboration to navigate the opportunities and complexities of cross-cultural business partnerships. We hope that the successful example of the Carey Group will encourage and inspire more indigenous engagement and involvement in responsible mining, including acting as a catalyst to support more Indigenous-owned businesses.”
ENDS ///
About GOLD: The Journey Continues
GOLD: The Journey Continues is a global series that highlights how gold mining companies can and should commit to enhancing the lives of the communities in which they mine. The Australian episode is the third in the series that tells real stories of those who live and work in responsible gold mining operations. Filming was conducted in December 2024. Previous episodes focused on gold mining in Mexico and Brazil. The series follows the global success of GOLD: A Journey, in 2023, starring international film icon Idris Elba [here].
Hit below to PLAY EPISODE
You can also view the film and full series here.
See some key comments from the documentary attached separately.
About the Premiere for GOLD: The Journey Continues
An industry event will be held Thursday 5:30pm – 7:30pm in Perth’s CBD. Please contact me if you are interested in attending.
Company information
About the World Gold Council
We are a membership organisation that champions the role gold plays as a strategic asset, shaping the future of a responsible and accessible gold supply chain. Our team of experts builds understanding of the use case and possibilities of gold through trusted research, analysis, commentary and insights. We drive industry progress, shaping policy and setting the standards for a perpetual and sustainable gold market.
About the Gold Industry Group
The Gold Industry Group is a member-based, not-for-profit association governed by a Board of Directors. We represent gold producers, explorers, prospectors, fabricators and service providers to champion long-term initiatives that grow understanding of the gold sector’s value to the economy and community.
About the Minerals Council of Australia
Minerals Council of Australia is the leading advocate for Australia’s minerals industry, promoting and enhancing sustainability, profitability and competitiveness.
About AngloGold Ashanti
AngloGold Ashanti plc is a global gold mining company with a diverse, high-quality portfolio of operations, projects and exploration activities in 10 countries, across four continents. It operates the Sunrise Dam and Tropicana (70%) gold mines in Australia. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, in the United States, AngloGold Ashanti is registered in England and Wales.
The company has a primary listing on the NYSE and secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (A2X and JSE) and the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). https://www.anglogoldashanti.com/company/
About Carey Group
Carey is Australia’s leading First Nation commercial enterprise, with over 30 years of project delivery excellence in the mining, civil and training industries.
Media contacts:
Emma Cullen-Ward, OneProfile (World Gold Council), M+61 414 989 137
E: [email protected]
Andrea Maxey, AngloGold Ashanti, +61 8 9425 4603 or M+61 400 072 199
E: [email protected]
Footnotes
1$A Gold is up 23% year to date and 44% over the last 12 months, as at 29 May 2025
