MINING


MINERAL AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE

Mineral exploration expenditure (trend) in Western Australia grew by 7.7% ($23 million) to $321 million in the March quarter 2008. Although this rise was lower than the previous quarterly rise of 9.5% ($26 million), it is the ninth consecutive quarterly rise since December quarter 2005 ($145 million) and was higher than the national growth of 7.4% ($44 million). In the March quarter 2008, Western Australia's mineral exploration expenditure accounted for 50.6% of the nation's expenditure of $634 million, with Queensland (15.9%) being the next biggest contributor.

Western Australia's mineral exploration expenditure (original) rose 50.9% ($92 million) to $271 million through the year to March quarter 2008. Minerals exploration expenditure that recorded growth over this period were Iron ore (up $33 million or 67.1%), Gold (up $22 million or 33.8%), Nickel and cobalt (up $21 million or 55.6%) and Copper (up $4 million or 91.5%). Petroleum exploration expenditure (original) in Western Australia rose 56.1% ($179 million) to $499 million through the year to March quarter 2008.


MINERAL AND ENERGY PRODUCTION

Through the year to March quarter 2008, production increased across most mineral commodities in Western Australia. Minerals production recording growth were Zinc (up 64.0%), Iron ore (up 17.9%), Bauxite (up 4.4%) and Nickel (up 4.3%). In contrast, Diamonds (down 36.4%), Gold (down 17.9%) and Ilmenite (down 10.0%) production declined through the year. Energy production in the state rose for Electricity (up 5.3%) while Crude oil (down 7.6%) and Natural gas (down 0.5%) declined over the same period of time.