Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery unveiled the 2021-22 Statistics Digest from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation, and Safety (DMIRS).
The digest contains specific information on the success of Western Australia’s (WA) resources sector, as well as significant production and employment records set during the previous fiscal year.
“The McGowan Government is committed to growing and diversifying our resources industry to boost our global reputation as one of the world’s most advanced and successful resources sector,” Minister Ellery said.
These figures include all-time high employment of over 157,700 workers and resource sales of $231 billion. Iron ore continued its incredible run with $137 billion in sales, while gold saw record-breaking sales of $17 billion.
By sales value, lithium ranked third in WA with a record $6.8 billion. The amount spent on mineral exploration hit a record high of $2.5 billion, with significant amounts going towards lithium, gold, nickel, copper, rare earths, and rare metals.
According to DMIRS, the resources sector remains strong, with $24 billion spent in 2021-22, and approximately $57 billion in resource projects under construction. Another $87 billion in mid and long-term projects is being considered.
“With strong investment and multiple projects in the pipeline, I am confident WA’s mining and petroleum industries will continue to support decades of economic growth,” Minister Ellery said.
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