A mining representative body has called on the state's major political parties to form a single resources portfolio to address WA's declining exploration levels.
The Association of Mining and Exploration has created a five-point plan that highlights the need to urgently focus on the future of the sector which will pull in over $3.4 billion in royalties in fiscal 2009.
AMEC said it will release the plan in the near-term, however in the meantime it will ask the political parties to dedicate a minister to a sole resources portfolio.
"Combined with falling exploration levels and increased competition from other States, it's clear WA now needs the leadership of a singularly focused Minister to preserve its place as Australia's mining capital," AMEC chief executive Justin Walawski said.
"This is not a critique of the current Minister - the industry is simply so important to the State's long term economic prosperity, it demands a Minister with no distractions."
Under the Labor government, deputy premier and treasurer Eric Ripper holds the state development portfolio and Francis Logan is minister for energy, resources, industry and enterprise.
In the Liberal Party's shadow cabinet, opposition leader Colin Barnett holds state development and Norman Moore has resources development and mines.
