Companies and governments are vying for enough critical minerals to accelerate the world's energy transformation but community trust is stuck in the slow lane.
The industry is at a defining moment, Minerals Council of Australia CEO Tania Constable told an international forum in Brisbane.
Electric vehicles will need six times more minerals than conventional vehicles.
Combined with surging demand for energy storage, solar panels and wind turbines, global mining investment to supply manufacturers will need to increase by $US100 billion per year.
"Do not be afraid to say mining is okay," Professor Marek Cala said at the official opening of the World Mining Congress on Tuesday.
Consumers are demanding higher environmental and human rights standards and critics want higher taxes so Australians get their fair share of the country's wealth.
Australia's aim is to mine and produce factory-ready materials, rather than simply dig and ship rocks, as Australia eyes the next rung on the clean energy ladder.
"But there is more to be done," Ms Constable warned.
"It requires governments to be bold and brave."
Swifter regulatory approvals, further incentives and a recognition of the extent of critical minerals required must follow.
"Copper, nickel, zinc, bauxite, tin, silver needed for electrification and energy production must be added to Australia's critical minerals list," she said.
"To ensure food security for the world we should also must include phosphate and potash."
Congress chair Hua Guo, CSIRO's sustainable mining expert, said the congress was tracking issues associated with a massive transition.
And it's not all about critical minerals.
Rohitesh Dhawan, president of the International Council on Mining and Metals, announced a "collective commitment" to make workplaces safer and eliminate discrimination, harassment and assault.
"It is not only our solemn duty to do so but the only way to attract and retain the talent essential to grow responsible mining at the huge scale that is required," he said.
Rights expert Elizabeth Broderick said if the industry, designed by men, does not actively include women, the system would unintentionally exclude them.
"The solution lies in shifting the systems rather than fixing the women," she said.
BHP used the conference platform to take a swipe at Australian governments for too much red tape slowing project approvals and Queensland in particular for hiking mining royalties without checking with it first.
"I wish I could say that all the settings are moving in the right direction but unfortunately for the nation that is not the case," the mining giant's chief executive Mike Henry said.
Quizzed about the recently released national critical minerals strategy, he told reporters "it's not enough."
He said the Australian resources industry needed better tax settings, faster approvals and an industrial relations system that drives job creation and wage growth.
"Predictability and reduced risk - under those conditions, the capital will flow," Mr Henry said.
There's also a push to decarbonise Australia's traditional commodities, still the backbone of many regions.
Fortescue Metals chief Fiona Hick said green iron and green steel presented a huge opportunity for the world-leading iron ore industry.
"We're already seeing strong demand from the market for this product, as well as the global significance of a new product from Australia's Pilbara region," she said.
Fortescue plans to run on renewable energy within seven years, which will slash costs as well as the carbon footprint.
Electrified haul trucks and an ammonia locomotive nicknamed Roadrunner are in their fleet of prototypes.
More than 3500 delegates have gathered for the four-day event, being held in Australia for the first time.
