- Statistics Digest outlines impressive performance of WA’s resources sector during 2021-22
- Production and employment records broken; investment remains strong
Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery today launched the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s 2021-22 Statistics Digest.
The digest provides detailed information on the performance of Western Australia’s resources sector, and the significant production and employment records broken during the past financial year.
These records include $231 billion of resource sales and all-time high employment of more than 157,700 workers.
Iron ore continued its stellar run with sales of $137 billion while gold hit record sales of $17 billion. Lithium was WA’s third highest mineral by sales value at a record $6.8 billion.
Mineral exploration expenditure reached a new high of $2.5 billion with strong levels of spending on gold, nickel, copper, rare earths and lithium.
Interest in the resources sector remains strong with $24 billion invested during 2021-22, and there were around $57 billion of resources projects under development. A further $87 billion in medium and longer-term projects are under consideration.
The annual Statistics Digest attracts international attention and is used by a range of global market analysts, investment banks and industry associations.
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As stated by Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery:
“The Statistics Digest summarises the outstanding contribution WA’s resources sector is making to our State and national economies.
“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 sectors.
“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.”
