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DIGGeRs & DeALeRs ReVIeW

WA mining: Ethical,

record-breaking and COVID-free

t may have taken a global pandemic for him to close the WA resources industry not only “I think we can all agree the hard work
Ito receive an invitation but West Australian for the employment it sustains but it would and sacrifice will be truly worth it,” McGow-
Premier Mark McGowan’s appearance at create turmoil across Australia and the an said.
the annual Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum global economy and the country would lose The rest of the Diggers & Dealers con-
was roundly welcomed. the revenue it would generate to respond ference reinforced the exultant position the
McGowan being present in Kalgoorlie to the pandemic itself. That is, to fund the WA sector finds itself in.
was perhaps the clearest demonstration of hospitals, police and support services and Headlined by the proposed $16 billion
what WA has achieved in 2020. A total of the income it would provide to the Com- merger of Northern Star Resources Ltd
1,968 delegates gathered together for an monwealth Government. and Saracen Minerals Holdings Ltd, the fo-
event, kickstarted by the State Premier talk- “When I saw it was suggested we close rum showcased the vibrancy of the industry
ing about record output from its largest in- resources, I said: ‘No, what we need to do with presentations from highly profitable
dustrial sector. It is a situation which would is manage through this.’” producers and rapidly
be unfathomable almost anywhere else in Navigating a way through it involved strik- evolving explorers.
the world. ing accords with industry about how people Even the lack of inter-
While McGowan’s stocks couldn’t be and logistics would be moved throughout state and international
higher – he has regularly posted 91% ap- the State and across borders while mini- delegates did little to
proval ratings during the crisis – he used mising the COVID risk. stem the flow of deal-
the Diggers podium to praise and thank the “We needed to take action to ensure we making with juniors and
resources sector for the part it has played in didn’t get outbreaks. Any outbreak would mid-tiers cutting out the
the State’s remarkable performance. have been devastating, so we worked co- financiers to strike JVs,
“2020 has been volatile, challenging and operatively with industry, especially the combine projects into
exhausting,” he said. “I want to thank the Chamber of Minerals & Energy, to ensure new vehicles and trade
resources industry for the way it has con- that everyone could continue to operate assets.
ducted itself. There has been no shortage safely.” McGowan said the
of threats to projects and worksites. All On any measure, the strategy has been performance would en-
through this crisis, the industry has han- a successful one for the WA mining sector. sure WA would rebound
dled it well and worked with Government The industry posted record production fig- strongly from the coro-
to continue operating safely and keep the ures in FY2020 with total revenues of $172 navirus-induced global
economic lifeline intact.” billion in exports, including a record $103 recession.
McGowan said his Government had billion from iron ore and $16 billion from “Despite all the uncer-
taken the decision to keep the resources gold – another record. tainty and unpredictabil-
sector open despite receiving advice to the Exploration expenditure was also up – ity, WA represents one
contrary in early National Cabinet briefings. $1.7 billion against $1.4 billion in 2019 – and of the best places in the
“I looked at the list of industries to be investment rose from $17 billion to $19 bil- world to mine, to set up,
closed and I felt sick,” he said. “WA refused lion, the first increase since 2013. to hire and to invest. If I

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