A new report has cast doubt on Western Australia's suitability as a lithium battery-making hub, claiming low labour productivity, distance from major markets and difficulties sourcing the necessary material as barriers to any potential development.
The Environmental Protection Authority will receive a $3.3 million funding boost to deal with a recent spike in proposals in Western Australia, with the government also announcing plans for a scheme to allow the outsourcing of some assessments.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA has appointed Edgar Basto as its acting president following the departure of Woodside executive and CME president Jeroen Buren.
The planned overhaul of the GST distribution system may not be perfect, but it's a pragmatic and creative response all states and territories should be able to accept, Western Australian Treasurer Ben Wyatt said today.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA today confirmed the appointment of Paul Everingham as its new chief executive, while uranium miner Paladin Energy has recruited a former Newcrest Mining executive to lead the company.
State government revenue will be boosted by several policy measures announced today, including increased cost recovery from the mining, maritime and justice sectors, removal of the resource sector's exemption from a training levy, and an increased levy on foreign property buyers.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt says the state government will drop its proposal for a gold royalty hike after a revised plan was blocked in the Legislative Council last night.
The state government will draft amendments to the Mining Act that validate granted tenements, in the wake of the High Court's recent ruling that kept sand mining off Andrew Forrest's family pastora
The state government has signed an agreement with the mining industry to ensure social and economic benefits to the Pilbara community with a focus on pathways to employment.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt has announced details of a new gold royalty increase that is budgeted to raise $332 million over four years while seeking to address the industry concerns that killed off his previous proposal, but the new plan has failed to win support.
SPECIAL REPORT: Financing opportunities have improved markedly from just two years ago for the state's junior miners, amid growing demand for drill rigs and skilled workers.
A cooperative research centre focused on minerals extraction has teamed up with mining industry groups and training providers to announce plans for an innovation hub based in Kalgoorlie.
Advertising and marketing agencies Marketforce and Longtail have won new contracts with Avivo and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia respectively.
The joint venture partners of the Wheatstone LNG facility near Onslow have hailed first production, with the first of two gas processing trains coming online today.
Ten gold sector leaders spoke in unison today about the damage they believe will flow from the state government's hike in royalties, and also made clear they are targeting the Liberal Party to block the change.
The premier has dismissed claims that almost 3,000 jobs would be lost under the state government's planned gold royalty hike, after a report claimed that five existing mines were at risk of closing if the royalty was enacted.
The Australian Securities Exchange has asked the Chamber of Minerals & Energy of Western Australia to retract a statement claiming the ASX could force listed gold miners to suspend trading in their shares because of the planned increased in WA's gold royalty.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt has signalled he won't be bullied by the gold mining industry, which is opposing royalty rate hikes that were unveiled in the state budget.
The state government has budgeted for a $169 million stamp duty windfall from a single ‘property' transaction, the latest in a string of large deals that have boosted its coffers.
Gold miners have warned of devastating consequences from a higher royalty rate, including potential mine closures, while business groups have also taken aim at proposed payroll tax hikes for larger employers, after both were targeted in a $1 billion revenue grab by the state government in today's budget.
The state government has strengthened its ban on fracking in Perth and the South West, while moving to appoint Environmental Protection Authority chairman Tom Hatton to run a scientific inquiry into the drilling technique.
The state government is considering amendments to the Mining Act in the wake of the High Court's recent ruling that kept sand mining off Andrew Forrest's family pastoral station in the Pilbara but cast into question the legitimacy of other granted mining leases since 2006.
Qantas will conduct a 12-month trial of discounted airfares for six regional centres in Western Australia, following a similar move by Regional Express in July.
About a third of the town of Port Hedland should be blocked from any new residential developments, the state government's dust management taskforce has recommended.
The environmental watchdog has recommended rejection of two proposals to mine iron ore in Western Australia because they would cause irreversible damage to the land.
BHP has approved initial funding for its $3 billion-plus South Flank iron ore project in the Pilbara, and the company's top Australian executive said he wanted to hear from local suppliers who could add value to the development.
Iron ore miners Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group have announced initiatives designed to assist local suppliers, with Rio establishing a dedicated procurement team and FMG shortening payment terms.
SPECIAL REPORT: The value of investment into WA gold projects is about four times as much as this time last year, while growth in spending on lithium has been even more substantial.
Premier Mark McGowan has gently chided the mining and energy sector, saying it needs to lift support for local manufacturing, apprentice training and local employment.
ANALYSIS: The failure of Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls and straight talking Liberal frontbencher Joe Francis to retain their seats is a devastating blow to their parties. But it can only get worse.
Woodside Petroleum executive Jeroen Buren has been named acting president of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, filling the role left vacant by Brian Reilly, who has moved to Canada to take on a new role with Cameco.
State Treasurer Mike Nahan has put his neck on the line to stop the Nationals WA's proposed mining tax, saying he will resign from the portfolio if a post-election Liberal government does a deal to lift royalties.
Premier Colin Barnett has criticised the mining industry over its prominent media campaign against Nationals leader Brendan Grylls and his proposed mining tax hike, on the first day of the election campaign.
The state's resources industry has applauded Federal Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce's public opposition to the WA Nationals' planned mining tax changes, which drew return fire from Brendon Grylls.
WA Labor plans to ban fracking in the South West, but will not ban the drilling technique in other areas such as the Kimberley and the Mid West where it has been undertaken.
Rio Tinto has announced the 50th anniversary of its first contracted iron ore shipment from the Pilbara, as debate continues around the adequacy of its royalty payments and the legacy for indigenous people in the region.
