The sector was the State's primary economic driver, with its annual value up 5.6% to a new high of $27.2 billion.

Director General of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Dr Jim Limerick, said the figures represented a solid and consolidating performance after a dramatic increase of 51% in 2000.

The information is contained in the latest edition of the Department's twice-yearly Statistics Digest, which provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date facts and figures about the State's vital resources industry.

"Western Australia's resources industry responded encouragingly to a difficult global climate for commodity prices in 2001," Dr Limerick said.

" In particular, the iron ore and alumina industries achieved record sales and output volumes.

"A weakened Australian dollar in 2001 also helped shelter key sectors such as gold, iron ore, alumina and mineral sands from the full brunt of global conditions late in the year."

Detailed statistics on commodities including petroleum, iron ore, alumina, nickel, base metals, and mineral sands are contained in the report.

In addition, the 2001 Statistics Digest also outlines the economic, social and political factors affecting the mining industry and includes a review of exploration, capital expenditure and employment figures; and the value of mineral and energy exports.

Copies of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources' Statistics Digest are available from the Information Centre at Mineral House, 100 Plain Street, East Perth, or can be downloaded from http://www.mpr.wa.gov.au/statistics/resourcefocus2001/index.html.

The Digest's tables and graphs are also available in Excel spreadsheet format at the same website address.