MINING

MINERAL AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE

Expenditure on mineral exploration in Western Australia rose by 9.3% ($31 million) to $360 million in the June quarter 2008 in trend terms. This rise followed growth of 10.7% ($29 million) in the December quarter 2007 and 10.3% ($31 million) in the March quarter 2008.

Mineral exploration expenditure in original terms rose by 51.4% ($129 million) to $381 million in Western Australia through the year to June 2008. Most of the major minerals showed growth over this period, with the highlights being Iron ore (up 63.5% or $54 million), Gold (up 42.7% or $30 million), Nickel and cobalt (up 54.3% or $29 million) and Copper (up 17.0% or $2 million). Petroleum exploration expenditure (original) in Western Australia rose 17.4% ($92 million) to $617 million through the year to June 2008.


MINERAL AND ENERGY PRODUCTION

Through the year to June 2008, Western Australia's production of mineral commodities increased in Iron ore (up 16.2%), Zinc (up 14.3%) and Nickel (8.7%). In contrast, mineral commodities of Diamonds (down 30.5%), Ilmenite (down 21.6%) and Gold (down 12.8%) declined through the year. Energy production in the state decreased for Crude oil (down 6.0%), Electricity (down 3.6%) and Natural gas (down 1.5%).