Mining results remain strong in WA

Bill Marmion Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Housing

Western Australia’s resources industry experienced its second best financial year performance on record in 2012-13. Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said the latest statistics showed that the value of WA’s mineral and petroleum industry in 2012-13 was $102 billion – marking the third consecutive year above $100 billion.

Mr Marmion said the 2012-13 records released by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) showed that WA’s resources industry remained robust on the back of strong Government support to reduce red and green tape and improve efficiencies.

Iron ore remained the State’s highest value commodity, accounting for $56.4billion (73 per cent) of total mineral sales. The petroleum sector increased by 2.9 per cent to $24.5billion with LNG the most valuable product, increasing output by almost 29 per cent to a record 19.8 million tonnes.

The Minister said the Government would continue to work to ensure WA remained competitive. “I am working with DMP to drive down costs and attract ongoing resources investment into WA, for the benefit of West Australians,” he said.

This includes the recent introduction of WA’s first fund exclusively dedicated to the rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites, the Mining Rehabilitation Fund. The Minister said the Government’s proactive approach was already paying dividends as WA remained an attractive resources investment destination, despite global economic uncertainty and price pressure in some commodities.

The full statistics can be found at: www.dmp.wa.gov.au