The South West of Western Australia is a globally significant mining region with high-quality, in-demand resources. It is home to the world’s largest and highest-grade hard-rock lithium deposit at Greenbushes, alongside mineral sands, coal, tantalum and tin, making mining a major and growing contributor to the regional economy.

The region’s competitive advantage is anchored in its exceptional resource base and proven large-scale extraction capability. Lithium output at Greenbushes continues at world-leading scale, supported by extensive resources and long mine life, with expansion activities underway to meet growing global demand. Combined with established logistics networks and direct access to export infrastructure, the South West is strongly positioned for investment in upstream production and critical mineral supply.

Producing nine of Australia’s critical minerals, the South West is central to the global energy transition and national supply chain resilience. With world-class deposits, scalable extraction potential and strategic access to export markets, the region offers investors long-term opportunities aligned with global electrification, battery supply chains and advanced manufacturing demand.

Mining Fast Facts

• The industry employs 3,090 people, or 3.8% of the South West's total jobs.
• Mining contributes $6,544m (15%) to total output in the South West, second only to manufacturing.
• The mining sector generates $5,447m, or 29.7% of total regional exports.
• In 2023-24, the WA resources sector supported:
• 17% of local economic activity
• 12,405 indirect full-time jobs
• 924 Local businesses
• 208 Community organisations
• 12 Local Governments (12 of 12)
• $2.5b total direct spend

Source – Remplan and Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA