Rodger is an expert in Indigenous engagement and participation in the extractive resource sector.
Rodger’s research focus is on agreements between Indigenous people and resource companies with a particular focus on implementation.
Rodger holds an Honours degree in Geology and Geography and Master of Philosophy in the field of Indigenous development and mining. For over 25 years Rodger has worked with Indigenous groups and resource companies to promote sustainable social and economic outcomes. He was at the forefront of developing agreements over land access for resource development under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and Native Title Act.
Industry
Rodger has worked with a range of major resources companies through research projects at CSRM including, QGC, BHP at Cannington Mine and Groote Eylandt (now South32), Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Newmont Australia, MMG at Century Mine.
Publications
Book Chapter
Barnes, Rodger, Busia, Kojo and Kitaw, Marit (2019). Harmonizing African resource politics?: lessons from the African minerals development centre. Africa's mineral fortune: the science and politics of mining and sustainable development. (pp. 9-27) edited by Saleem H. Ali, Kathryn Sturman and Nina Collins. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429467424-2
Journal Articles
Burton, John, Kemp, Deanna, Barnes, Rodger and Parmenter, Joni (2024). Mapping critical minerals projects and their intersection with Indigenous peoples' land rights in Australia. Energy Research and Social Science, 113 103556, 103556. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103556
Burton, John, Kemp, Deanna, Barnes, Rodger and Parmenter, Joni (2024). A socio-spatial analysis of Australia's critical minerals endowment and policy implications. Resources Policy, 88 104448. doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104448
Parmenter, Joni and Barnes, Rodger (2021). Factors supporting indigenous employee retention in the Australian mining industry: A case study of the Pilbara region. The Extractive Industries and Society, 8 (1), 423-433. doi: 10.1016/j.exis.2020.11.009
Rodger Barnes (2009). Mining and land rights in Central Australia. Dialogue, 28 (2), 57-68.
Conference Papers
Horberry, Tim, Lynas, Danellie, Franks, Daniel M., Barnes, Rodger and Brereton, David (2011). Brave new mine: Examining the human factors implications of automation and remote operation in mining. Second International Future Mining Conference, Sydney, Australia, 22 - 23 November 2011.
Franks, D. M., Cohen, T., Barnes, R., Brereton, D., Littleboy, A. and Moffat, K. (2011). Social license in design: constructive technology assessment within a minerals research & development institution. Fifth International Conference Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry (SDIMI 2011), Aachen, Germany, 14-17 June 2011. Essen, Germany: VGE-Verl.
Hopley, David and Barnes, Rodger (1985). Structure and development of a windward fringing reef, Orpheus Island, Palm Group, Great Barrier Reef. Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti, French Polynesia, 27 May - 1 June 1985.
Data Collection
Burton, John, Kemp, Deanna, Barnes, Rodger and Parmenter, Joni (2024). INDIGENOUSESTATE2023. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/e79f928
Department Technical Report
Witt, Kathy, Sarah Holcombe , Keenan, Julia and Barnes, Rodger (2022). Social, cultural and economic studies of the Beetaloo Sub-Basin SREBA: scope of work. UQ Centre for Natural Gas, SMI.
Working Paper
Barnes, Rodger, Holcombe, Sarah and Parmenter, Joni (2020). Indigenous groups, land rehabilitation and mine closure: exploring the Australian terrain. Social Aspects of Mine Closure. Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, SMI.
Thesis
Barnes, Rodger (2013). Building an Implementation Framework for Agreements with Aboriginal Landowners: A Case Study of The Granites Mine. MPhil Thesis, School of Architecture, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2014.148
Research Reports
Rodger Barnes, Julia Keenan, Caroline Williams and Ben Hamilton (2025). Restoring Country: exploring Indigenous-led participation in mine closure and environmental services. Restoring Country Perth, WA, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies.
Barnes, Rodger, Holcombe, Sarah, Helms, Klaus, Yunupingu, Djawa and Mununggirritj, Djapirri (2025). Gulkula mining: Indigenous landowners taking control. A collaborative case study with Gumatj Corp. Occasional Paper Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
Barnes, Rodger (2024). Grounds of objection: climate change, Country, and human rights in the Waratah Coal case: CSRM Occasional Paper. CSRM Occassional Paper Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Rodger Barnes, Joni Parmenter, Mathew Plichta, Annette Hedges, Derek Flucker and Ron Villaflor (2023). Beyond business as usual: benchmarking Indigenous procurement in mining. CSRM Occassional Paper Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Barnes, Rodger and Holcombe, Sarah (2023). A day in the life of Nabarlek mine rehabilitation. Report on 1 June 2023 visit to Madjawarr land. St. Lucia, QLD Australia: CSRM.
Chrystal, Robynne, McIntyre, Neil, Bolz, Pascal, Edraki, Mansour, Worden, Sandy, Holcombe, Sarah, Barnes, Rodger and Hernandez Santin, Lorna (2023). Design of Activities for the Investigation of Ngadju Salt Lake Systems. Brisbane, Australia: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
Worden, Sandy, Parmenter, Joni, Bourke, Pam, Barnes, Rodger and Reyes Sierra, Maite (2022). GEMCO mine closure readiness: Internal workshop outcomes. Brisbane, Australia: CSRM.
Barnes, Rodger (2021). Reviving the Tanami regional biodiversity monitoring project: briefing paper for the 2021 stakeholder workshop. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, University of Queensland.
Parmenter, Joni and Barnes, Rodger (2020). Rio Tinto Pilbara operations Indigenous employee retention study. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, University of Queensland.
Kung, Anthony, Rogers, Paul, Skrzypek, Emilia and Barnes, Rodger (2019). Newmont Tanami Operations Social Impact Assessment. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland.
Kemp, Deanna, Bainton, Nick, Barnes, Rodger and Vivoda, Vlado (2018). IPIECA guidance on community development agreements. University of Queensland: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Rogers, Paul, Barnes, Rodger and Kemp, Deanna (2018). Social baseline study of Groote Eylandt communities for GEMCO operations - Report prepared for South32. University of Queensland: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Kemp, Deanna, Harvey, Bruce and Barnes, Rodger (2015). Benchmarking leading practice in aboriginal business procurement in the extractive resource sector. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Pattenden, Catherine, Barnes, Rodger and Plavina, Julia (2014). Social Impact Assessment for Newmont Tanami Operations. Brisbane, QLD Australia: JKTech.
Everingham, Jo-Anne, Barnes, Rodger and Brereton, David (2013). Gulf Communities Agreement - 15 Year Review. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
Barnes, R. and Collins, N. (2013). Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine. Supplement A: report on community consultations. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Everingham, Jo-Anne, Brereton, David, Arbelaez-Ruiz, Diana, Barnes, Rodger, Collins, Nina, Weldegiorgis, Fitsum, Rogers, Paul and Oñate Santibáñez, Barbara (2013). Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine: combined report. Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
Barnes, Rodger and Collins, Nina (2013). Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine: report on community consultations. Supplement A. Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland.
Franks, D. M., McNab, K., McNab, K., Weldegiorgis, F., Horberry, T., Garcia-Vasquez, M., Oñate Santibáñez, B., Barnes, R. and McLellan, B. C. (2013). Designing mining technology for social outcomes: final report of the Technology Futures Project. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining & the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
Parmenter, Joni, Barnes, Rodger, Kickett, Dennis and Leroy-Dyer, Sharlene (2011). RTIO Indigenous Retention Study - identifying factors that contribute to voluntary turnover amongst Indigenous employees. University of Queensland: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Pattenden, Catherine, Parmenter, Joni and Barnes, Rodger (2011). Social Baseline and Impact Assessment Report to GEMCO operations. University of Queensland: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Brereton, David, Pattenden, Catherine, Kemp, Deanna, Barnes, Rodger and Zhang, Tian (2008). Community Perceptions Study for BHP Billiton Cannington Mine. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
Newspaper Articles
Kemp, Deanna, Fredericks, Bronwyn, Muir, Kado and Barnes, Rodger (2021, 10 21). Fixing Australia’s shocking record of Indigenous heritage destruction: Juukan inquiry offers a way forward The Conversation
Kemp, Deanna, Owen, John and Barnes, Rodger (2020, 12 09). Juukan Gorge inquiry puts Rio Tinto on notice, but without drastic reforms, it could happen again The Conversation