- New report highlights Western Australia's $8 trillion resources opportunity
- More than $50 billion in major job-creating projects underway
- Decade-high $34 billion industry investment supporting WA workers
- Cook Labor Government is backing exploration and future growth to create WA jobs
Western Australia's resources sector is well positioned for continued growth with a strong pipeline of major projects and significant long-term opportunities across mining, petroleum, and critical minerals to continue creating jobs for years to come.
A new report released by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME), Unearthing Potential, highlights the scale and diversity of WA's known mineral and energy resources and the economic opportunities they could support over coming decades.
The report estimates WA has more than $8 trillion in known mineral and energy resources, reinforcing the important role the sector will continue to play in creating jobs throughout WA.
That opportunity is already delivering WA jobs, with a decade-high industry investment in 2025 of $34 billion.
More than $50 billion worth of mining, petroleum, and associated infrastructure projects are currently under construction or have reached a positive final investment decision, supporting thousands of construction jobs today and long-term operational jobs into the future.
That pipeline spans WA's traditional strengths in iron ore, gold, and LNG, alongside jobs in critical minerals and downstream processing.
Major developments include Scarborough, Crux, and Jansz-Io Compression in the LNG sector; Western Ridge and Brockman Syncline 1 in iron ore; and projects including the Eneabba Rare Earths Refinery and Mt Holland expansion.
The Cook Labor Government is supporting the sector by working to provide clear and timely regulatory processes, supporting exploration and maintaining WA's strong jobs market and investment environment.
The government invests $18 million in exploration each year through the Exploration Incentive Scheme, which supports the discovery of new mineral resources across WA and helps unlock job-creating projects for future generations.
Since its establishment, more than $250 million has been invested through the scheme.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This report shows why every Western Australian should back our State's resources sector.
"It demonstrates that the sector it isn't just creating jobs today - it's set to continue creating jobs for Western Australians for many years to come.
"I know many families are doing it tough, which is why keeping our economy strong has never been more important.
"My government has backed the industries that back Western Australians, helping create nearly 400,000 jobs.
"Only my government has the record, the plan, and the leadership to keep working with the resources sector to keep WA strong, create jobs, and put WA first."
As stated by Mines, Petroleum and Exploration Minister Daniel Pastorelli:
"Western Australia's resources sector has been central to our State's economic success, creating thousands of local jobs, and this report demonstrates there is significant opportunity still ahead of us.
"We have an extraordinary resource base, a highly skilled workforce, and an industry with a strong track record of delivering major projects.
"But resources in the ground only become jobs and economic opportunities when there is confidence to explore, invest, and develop them.
"That's why our government is focused on maintaining Western Australia as a stable and attractive place to invest, while ensuring projects are appropriately assessed and our regulatory system remains clear and efficient.
"Through Cook Labor Government support, we're also investing in the discoveries that can underpin the next generation of Western Australian projects."
As stated by CME chief executive officer Aaron Morey:
"Western Australia is sitting on more than $8 trillion in known mineral and energy reserves, with the potential to support generations of jobs, royalties, and economic activity.
"From electrification and decarbonisation to artificial intelligence and rapid advancements in defence technology, every major trend in the global economy leads directly to Western Australia and the minerals and energy we produce.
"We are perfectly positioned to cement our position as a one-stop shop for investors and trading partners across the globe.
"CME has spent 125 years backing this industry. Unearthing Potential shows why the next 125 could matter even more."
