The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) has released a new report which estimates Western Australia has more than $8 trillion in known mineral and energy resources, highlighting the significant economic opportunities they could support over the coming decades.
The report, Unearthing Potential, examined 27 commodities and found that developing 80 per cent of the resource base could generate $8.1 trillion in saleable product value, alongside $476 billion in royalty revenue for WA and $855 billion in Commonwealth company tax revenue.
It also estimates that developing the recourse base could support 864,000 construction jobs and up to 158,000 onsite operational jobs per year, with $1.1 trillion in total wages.
CME chief executive officer Aaron Morey said the findings demonstrated the long-term potential of the state’s resources sector.
“With the right policy settings, we can unlock decades of jobs, decades of royalties, decades of taxes and decades of the world knocking on Western Australia’s door for the minerals and energy every modern economy needs,” Morey said.
The report comes as WA’s resources sector recorded $34 billion in industry investment during 2025, its highest level in a decade, according to the state government.
More than $50 billion worth of mining, petroleum and associated infrastructure projects are currently under construction or have reached a positive final investment decision, with the pipeline including projects across iron ore, gold, liquefied natural gas (LNG), critical minerals and downstream processing.
Morey said WA’s diverse resource base could also position the state across a broad range of global industries.
“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,” Morey said.
The report estimates WA has enough iron ore to construct 184 billion kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines, enough lithium to manufacture 1.4 billion electric vehicle batteries, enough rare earths to build 52.4 billion semiconductors and enough natural gas to manufacture 14.2 billion tonnes of fertiliser.
The state government said it currently invests $18 million a year through its Exploration Incentive Scheme to support mineral exploration.
WA mines, petroleum and exploration minister Daniel Pastorelli said further development would depend on investment and exploration.
“We have an extraordinary resource base, a highly skilled workforce, and an industry with a strong track record of delivering major projects,” he said.
“But resources in the ground only become jobs and economic opportunities when there is confidence to explore, invest, and develop them.”