Western Australia is riding a wave of record-breaking growth, with its booming resources sector now employing nearly 136,000 people, the highest number in the state's history. In 2024 alone, the mining industry hit a new milestone, clocking 135,693 on-site full-time equivalent (FTE) roles. That marks an impressive eight years of consecutive employment growth.
Adding to the surge, the exploration sector contributed another 4,263 on-site FTE positions, while the petroleum industry brought in 7,870 more. Driving this employment upswing are key commodities like alumina, bauxite, iron ore, gold, lithium, and nickel, each playing a vital role in fuelling both the job market and the economy. Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael hailed the achievement, noting that Western Australia's resources sector is not just thriving, it's setting new standards.
"With record employment levels and strong sales, our resources industry is powering economic momentum across the state. As the global economy shifts, WA's resources sector is well placed to support the energy transition, critical minerals development, and ongoing exploration," added Michael.
What about WA's resource sector?
Western Australia's resources sector delivered another standout performance in 2024, with several key players making headlines despite a mixed global market –
Yet even amid shifting tides, the appetite for discovery hasn't waned. Exploration activity remained red-hot, with nearly $2.5 billion poured into mineral exploration, which was one of the strongest years on record. The focus? A modern treasure trove - gold, iron ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, and next-gen materials like lithium and rare earth.
The powerhouse of economy
In 2024, Western Australia's resources sector proved once again that it's the powerhouse of the nation's economy. More than $32 billion was poured into the industry over the calendar year, matching the impressive investment levels of 2023 and underscoring unwavering confidence from both local and global players.
But that's just the beginning of the story.
With $48 billion worth of mining, petroleum, and infrastructure projects currently committed and under construction, the state's investment pipeline is not just strong, it's surging. These projects aren't just numbers on paper; they're shaping the future of WA's economic landscape and securing thousands of jobs across regions.
At the heart of this momentum lies a record-breaking $223 billion in total mineral and petroleum sales. Leading the charge is iron ore, WA's heavyweight export, raking in a staggering $128 billion. This marks the third-highest sales result ever recorded for the commodity, driven by a winning combination of robust prices and near-record shipment volumes. Western Australia isn't just digging up wealth from the ground it's building a legacy of resilience, innovation, and unstoppable growth.
“Robust exploration spending across key commodities like gold, lithium and rare earths reinforces Western Australia’s position as a global minerals leader. These figures reflect the industry’s continued confidence in WA and its commitment to long-term growth, “said Premier Roger Cook.
In a year of highs, plateaus, and pivots, Western Australia's resources sector proved its depth, dynamism, and unshakable role at the heart of the global supply chain. Premier Roger Cook says the record-breaking surge in mining jobs proves Western Australia is the best place on the planet to land a high-quality job. With powerhouse commodities like iron ore, gold, LNG, and alumina driving the momentum, WA’s resources sector are not just thriving, it's fuelling a full-blown jobs boom across the state.
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