OUR history
The Gold Industry Group was created following the success of the Gold Royalties Response Group (GRRG), run by Cannings Purple from 2013 to 2015 to represent the interests of Western Australian gold producers in response to the State Government’s mineral royalty review at the time.
The GRRG launched the #heartofgold campaign in 2014, featuring the people of gold mining and their community contributions, ultimately influencing the State Government to not increase gold royalties in 2015.
The educational #heartofgold campaign harnessed the Western Australian community and significantly built awareness of the socio-economic contributions of the gold industry. Not only did it significantly increase the public profile of the industry and educate on its importance, but it increased awareness of the challenges faced by the industry, and was instrumental in providing a strong and united voice for the gold sector.
Research conducted prior to the campaign showed understanding of the gold industry and its contributions was low. After three months of the positive education campaign commencing, messages had reached 80% of Perth’s population, significantly changing public perception. 64% of people reported changes in the way they thought about the industry and 78% of people reported learning something new about gold mining.
The influential #heartofgold campaign was recognised nationally and internationally, winning the Asia Pacific Excellence 'Association' Award, the GovRels Government Relations Digital Campaign of the Year Award, and the national and state PRIA Award for best Integrated Marketing and Communications Strategy.
The success of the #heartofgold campaign proved the great benefit of the wider gold industry working together. As a result, the Gold Industry Group was founded by former GRRG members in October 2015 to continue to champion the gold industry in Australia.
