Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion is confident the state is set for further long-term growth as an energy exporter and a hub for industry knowledge.
Producers and explorers will be breathing a sigh of relief this week after the state government announced it would leave resources royalty rates unchanged in this year's budget.
Amid the gloom, WA has some positive resources stories to tell,with uranium developers buoyed by improving news, investment certainty guaranteed around royalties rates - for now - and nickel reappearing as a sturdy performer.
Sales from Western Australia's minerals and petroleum industries totalled $114 billion in 2014, up $200 million from 2013, according to the latest industry snapshot from the Department of Mines and Petroleum.
The state government has opted not to change commodity royalties in this year's budget at the expense of almost $180 million in previously booked revenue.
Buru Energy has announced the signing of a native title agreement with the Nyikina Mangala and Karajarri Yanja people, an important step in moving to full production at its Ungani oil project joint
Standout junior explorers are finding investors for their mining projects, while others are cutting back on exploration and development to counteract a tough corporate finance market and increased government fees.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum has finalised new environmental assessment fees for mining proposals and program-of-work applications, to take effect from July 1.
Junior oil explorers angered by a sudden increase in government tenement fees are close to forming an alliance to fight the fee changes, including a 700 per cent increase for some onshore tenement fees.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum has denied reports of a gas leak at Buru Energy's Yulleroo project near Broome after carrying out an inspection of the site yesterday.
The free-falling iron ore price has hit the state's coffers hard this year, but one of the state's most respected resources authorities is pragmatic about the future, given the cyclical nature of the commodities sector.
Sirius Resources has secured $440 million to fund the development of its Nova nickel mine, coinciding with it receiving mining approval from the Department of Mines and Petroleum.
Community interest in the controversial practice of fracking has prompted Western Australia's environmental watchdog to issue advice on how it will assess shale and tight gas proposals.
Western Australia's subdued resources exploration sector is set to receive a new boost in the form of a digital map for explorers to better target mining and petroleum discoveries.
Sirius Resources has named the preferred contractors for various works at its $473 million Nova nickel project near Norseman, however contract values have not been disclosed as final terms are yet to be completed.
Copper producer Aditya Birla Minerals has flagged impairment charges in the range of $175 million to $225 million in its upcoming half-year financial report, resulting from mining set-backs, potential asset divestments, and devaluation of its heap leach inventory.
Western Australian Environment Minister Albert Jacob has granted Northern Minerals approval of its proposed Browns Range rare earths project near Halls Creek.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum is seeking to recover about $11 million in unpaid royalties amid producer disquiet about possible royalty rate increases.
Miro Advisors has been selected by oil and gas explorer New Standard Energy to manage the farm-out of its Western Australian exploration acreage, continuing four years of rapid growth for the Perth advisory firm, as detailed in this week's edition of Business News.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion says a partnership between Western Australia and Chinese geoscientists could help unlock the mysteries of the state's geology.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum says it will return millions of dollars in unconditional performance bonds associated with dead tenements to mining companies and individuals through its rehabilitation fund program.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion has announced that Western Australia will play a key role in settling global safety standards for emerging remote controlled mining machinery.
Balcatta-based Sirius Resources has been granted a mining lease by the Department of Mines and Petroleum for its proposed Nova nickel project near Balladonia.
The Environmental Protection Authority has given conditional approval to Northern Minerals for its Browns Range project, located 160 kilometres south-east of Halls Creek.
The state government's Mining Rehabilitation Fund initiative has met with almost unanimous industry uptake, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said today.
Copper producer Aditya Birla Minerals will resume mining activities at its Birla Nifty mine less than four months after it was closed due to a sinkhole.
The share price of Perth copper producer Aditya Birla Minerals risen 19.5 per cent on the announcement that its Nifty underground copper mine had been cleared to resume operations.
The federal government has released details on how its long-awaited exploration development incentive will work, with the policy expected to be a much-needed boost for the industry.
Respected Aboriginal leader Wayne Bergmann has launched an extraordinary attack on Buru Energy, after the oil and gas company announced a landmark agreement with the Noonkanbah Aboriginal community.
The Aboriginal community that was at the centre of a major land rights dispute, sparked by oil exploration at a remote Kimberley cattle station in the early 1980s, has announced its support for a gas 'fracking' program planned by Perth company Buru Energy.
BHP Billiton has confirmed it is reviewing its iron ore operations, after it was revealed last week job cuts were likely following a review at its Worsley Alumina operations south of Perth.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion has flagged new industry safety guidelines in the wake of five mining fatalities in Western Australia in nine months.
