New statistics from the WA Department of Industry and Resources today revealed sales from the mineral and petroleum industry jumped 29% in 2005-06 to $43.2 billion.
Bowler said the statistics revealed that petroleum was the largest resource sector in WA, followed by iron ore and alumina.
He said the sales came on the back of high overseas demand for resources that had underpinned solid commodity prices.
“This strong result was achieved against a background of adverse weather conditions in the first quarter of 2006, mining equipment supply constraints and some shipping bottlenecks,” Bowler said.
“The demand for the state’s resources by our trading partners is showing no signs of slowing down.”
Bowler said petroleum was the biggest resource by value, with sales in the sector rising 23 per cent in 2005-06.
“A $2.8 billion increase in sales saw it reach a record $15.2 billion, thanks largely to high world oil prices and increased LNG shipments,” he said.
Iron ore was found to be the next biggest resource, gaining 56% to $13 billion, while alumina added 19% to $4.1 billion, nickel expanded 8% to $3.8 billion and gold grew 18% to $3.6 billion.
