WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MINERAL AND PETROLEUM STATISTICS DIGEST 2011–12

In 2011–12, mineral exploration expenditure in Western Australia increased significantly to an all-time record of $2.1 billion. This result was 32 per cent higher than for 2010–11 and is 150 per cent higher than five years ago.

Nationally mineral exploration metres drilled increased by almost 18 per cent to 11.4 million metres over the previous year, whilst expenditure increased by 34 per cent to a record $3.95 billion in 2010–11. Most of this drilling occurred in areas of existing deposits that accounted for 68 per cent, with the remaining 32 per cent on new ground. The higher level of expenditure to a large extent can be attributed to increased exporation costs.