MINERAL production in the Goldfields is valued at more than $2 billion per year, including more than half of WA’s gold output.
With the commencement of gas supply via the new Goldfields gas pipeline, additional opportunities in downstream processing, chemical, energy and general manufacturing are now available.
One project includes the Parkeston power station, a joint venture between Transalta Energy Corporation and Normandy Mining, which joined forces to develop and secure low-cost electricity in the area for local industry. It has reduced costs for BHP Minerals, WMC and Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie operations and other energy users in the region.
The power station comprises two LM6000 gas turbine generators – operating with the world’s highest commercial available efficiency for gas turbines – with an output of 35MW. Parkeston power station is one of the largest consumers of gas from the Goldfields gas pipeline.
The Goldfields also offers attractive investment opportunities in the tourism and leisure sector. The appeal of the South-East, along with the mining industry heritage associated with the region, offers growth potential for additional accommodation facilities and purpose-built tourist attractions. New opportunities for the development of Aboriginal tourism in the area are also significant.
The region is well placed to further develop a significant, market-driven aquaculture industry. Identified opportunities exist in the pastoral zone of the region related to the development of yabbie and other aquaculture species in farm dams.
