Western Australia’s resources industry shines in 2017

Western Australia’s resources industry reached several milestones in 2017 according to statistics released recently by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Higher iron ore prices, strong growth in LNG volumes and the gold sector’s continued strength contributed to reported sales of $108.8 billion, a 16 per cent increase from 2016.

Iron ore sales were up 14 per cent to nearly $63 billion; gold sales exceeded $11 billion for the first time, more than twice what it was 10 years ago; and LNG volumes increased by 38 per cent to a record 32.7 million tonnes. Sales of spodumene, the primary lithium-bearing mineral produced in the State, increased by 166 per cent to reach $780 million in 2017.

Bill Johnston, Minister for Mines and Petroleum, commented: “2017 was a positive year for Western Australia’s resources industry and it was encouraging to see record production across key sectors. The statistics reflect the industry’s strong economic performance in 2017, despite facing global demand challenges and geopolitical instability.The WA Government continues to support the resources sector and creating jobs for Western Australians, and it is pleasing to see that employment in the mining sector continues to increase.”

The average number of people directly employed in WA’s minerals sector also increased by six per cent to more than 111,000. 

For more information, visit http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au

Image: Wheatstone Project. Source: Chevron