Momentous year for WA’s resources sector

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 longerterm 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.

The national greenhouse gas inventory quarterly update indicates that Australia’s emissions increased by 300,000 tonnes last year. While electricity emissions are falling due to more renewable energy coming online, agriculture and transport emissions are increasing.

The longer-term picture is however more positive. Australia’s overall emissions are now 21 per cent below 2005 levels (the base reference year under the 2030 Paris agreement).

Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery recently 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.

Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery said, “The Statistics Digest summarises the outstanding contribution WA’s resources sector is making to our State and national economies.

“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.”

For more information, visit www.dmp. wa.gov.au/Documents/About-Us-Careers/ Stats_Digest_2021-22.pdf

The Australian Government has now formally made ADR 80/04, which mandates Euro VI stage C and the equivalent US/Japanese standards.

The new ADR will apply to newly approved heavy vehicle models (M and N category vehicles with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes) from 1 November 2024 and all new heavy vehicles from 1 November 2025.

To access the final design rule visit www. legislation.gov.au/Details/F2023L00129