GOLDFIELDS MINING FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

Mining in the Goldfields will be more exciting than in the Pilbara during the next 10 years, according to the outgoing Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA boss.  Speaking at the inaugural Minerals Forum in Kambalda, CME chief executive Paul Everingham said after four years in the role, he was still excited by what Goldfields miners had to offer.

“The Goldfields is way more exciting in the next 10 years than the Pilbara,” he said. “The home of mining in WA is the Goldfields.

“It started here, and it’s very much a more diverse commodity base.

“I think this region is under-recognised globally, but some of the best mining entrepreneurs in Australian history have come out of here, and there’s some current ones that are extremely capable, and there’ll be some even greater ones in the near future.”

With labour shortages one of the largest issues facing his member companies, Mr Everingham told the forum he expected this to ease with State borders coming  down. “There’ll be about 35,000-45,000 people returning to WA from March 3 permanently – so they’re returning from interstate and they might have been living there or living overseas,” he said.

Mr Everingham said his proudest moment with the CME had been seeing member companies’ resilience during the everchanging COVID-19 situation.  He said during the pandemic, mining in WA had continued safely and effectively, contributing to the State’s financial success.

CREDIT – Kalgoorlie Miner