Western Australia’s resources sector has reached a record 141,531 full-time equivalent mining jobs, while investment climbed to a decade high of $34.2 billion in the 2025–26 financial year.
The State Government said the figures highlight the sector’s continued economic contribution, with mineral and petroleum sales reaching $227 billion over the same period.
Mineral exploration also reached historic highs, supporting 4988 full-time equivalent jobs as expenditure rose to $2.98 billion.
Iron ore remained the state’s highest-value commodity, generating $122 billion in sales as shipments increased to 905 million tonnes.
Gold sales reached $42 billion, with volumes rising to 6.8 million troy ounces, while lithium revenue more than doubled to $8.6 billion as a record 4.1 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate was exported or used in Western Australia.
Silver revenue also reached a record $321 million, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales totalled $30 billion and condensate sales reached $6.8 billion.
Capital expenditure of $34.2 billion represented 62 per cent of Australia’s mining and petroleum investment, according to the State Government, one of Western Australia’s highest shares of national spending in three decades.
The state’s project pipeline includes $56 billion in developments under construction or committed, alongside a further $118 billion in planned or possible projects across iron ore, lithium, gold, rare earths, LNG and domestic gas.
Major projects under construction include Woodside Energy’s Scarborough development, Chevron’s Gorgon Stage 3 and Iluka Resources’ Eneabba Rare Earths Refinery.
WA Mines, Petroleum and Exploration Minister Daniel Pastorelli said the results demonstrated the strength of the state’s resources sector.
“Record jobs, record mineral exploration and significant capital expenditure showcase the scale and ambition of WA’s resources sector,” Pastorelli said.
“The success of our resources industry supports higher living standards, creates thousands of well-paying jobs and helps ensure Western Australians continue to enjoy one of the strongest economies.”