It took 4.4 billion years to form some of Australia’s—the world’s—richest mineral deposits here in Western Australia (WA). The state’s incredible natural resources have not only supported local communities but defined the economy of an entire nation.
Stretching from the ancient Yilgarn Craton, which holds some of the world’s richest gold and nickel deposits, to the vast Canning Basin, where natural gas fuels global industries, WA’s mineral wealth runs deep.
But behind every successful discovery of Western Australian minerals and the profits that follow is a team. A group of passionate geologists, drillers, and exploration experts who put in the hard work to make it all happen. Precision Drilling Australia is part of those teams. We deliver expert drilling services to exploration and mining companies.
What are the Top Minerals Found in Western Australia?
Here are the top 10 WA minerals.
1. Iron Ore
Originating from the Archean and Proterozoic eras, WA’s iron ore deposits are some of the oldest on Earth. The Hamersley Province in the Pilbara region is home to massive banded iron formations, a geological phenomenon dating back 2.5 billion years.
Economic Impact: Iron ore in WA generated a record-breaking $139 billion in sales in 2023. The state is the world’s largest iron ore supplier, producing 39% of global supply.
Uses: Iron ore is the foundation of steel production. It’s essential for the construction, transport, and manufacturing industries.
2. Gold
Gold is concentrated in WA’s greenstone belts, which stretch across the Yilgarn Craton. These belts formed from ancient volcanic activity and were later enriched by mineral-bearing fluids over millions of years.
Economic Impact: Gold contributed $18.6 billion in sales in 2022–2023. WA is estimated to account for 30% of the world’s gold reserves.
Uses: Beyond jewellery, gold is used in high-tech electronic manufacturing and aerospace. This precious metal is also valuable in medicine.
3. Natural Gas
Formed from ancient marine life buried under sedimentary basins through millions of years, WA’s natural gas is concentrated in the North West Shelf and Carnarvon Basin.
Economic Impact: Natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production pulled in $56 billion in sales in 2022–2023, with WA being a leading supplier to Asia’s energy markets.
Uses: It’s a critical fuel for electricity generation and chemical production.
4. Nickel
WA’s nickel deposits are found in komatiite-hosted ore bodies in the Yilgarn and Pilbara Cratons. These areas formed from some of the oldest volcanic activity on Earth.
Economic Impact: Nickel contributed $5.7 billion in 2022.
Uses: Nickel is used for stainless steel production. It’s also critical in renewable energy storage, which means demand for the metal will likely rise in the coming years.
5. Lithium
WA’s lithium deposits are hosted in pegmatite formations across the state. However, it’s particularly concentrated in the Greenbushes and Pilbara regions, which are some of the largest hard-rock lithium deposits in the world.
Economic Impact: Lithium sales generated $8.4 billion, provided the state with $710 million in royalties, and supported over 11,000 jobs. WA currently supplies almost half of the world’s lithium.
Uses: A key element in lithium-ion batteries, grid storage, and portable electronics.
6. Copper
WA’s copper deposits are found in Proterozoic sedimentary basins, including the Paterson Orogen and Gascoyne Province.
Economic Impact: WA’s copper sales are valued at around $1.1 billion.
Uses: Copper is a conductor for wiring, electric motors, renewable energy systems, and industrial machinery.
7. Zinc
WA’s zinc is primarily extracted from sedimentary and volcanic-hosted deposits in the Kimberley and Gascoyne regions.
Economic Impact: Zinc is important to both the industrial and construction sectors, though its price fluctuates.
Uses: Zinc is mainly used for galvanisation to protect steel from corrosion and in batteries and pharmaceuticals.
8. Uranium
Uranium forms in Proterozoic sedimentary basins like the Canning Basin and Yeelirrie deposit.
Economic Impact: Australia holds the largest uranium reserves in the world, with WA housing known deposits of around 226,000 tonnes. However, mining remains restricted due to regulatory and political factors.
Uses: Uranium is a zero-carbon energy source for nuclear power plants.
9. Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
Rare earths are found in carbonatite intrusions and lateritic deposits in Mt Weld and the Gifford Creek Complex.
Economic Impact: The future is green, and WA is in an excellent position to support global energy transition initiatives with its extensive reserves of REE.
Uses: REEs are integral to high-tech industries, wind turbines, EVs, and more.
10. Coal
WA’s coal deposits formed in sedimentary basins like the Collie Basin, dating back to the Permian period (around 300 million years ago).
Economic Impact: WA’s coal industry still plays a role in domestic power generation, though demand is shifting toward renewables.
Uses: Coal is traditionally used for electricity generation and industrial heating.
How Precision Drilling Supports WA’s Mining Sector
Every mineral discovery starts underground, and Precision Drilling Australia is at the forefront of exploration drilling and environmental assessments. Our team partners with miners and resource companies to locate and extract mineral deposits.
We stand by our commitment to safety and environmentally responsible exploration support in all our services, which include:
- Exploration drilling in WA’s rugged terrain.
- Geotechnical drilling and assessments to enable stable mine development.
- Environmental drilling for sustainable mining practices.
- Hydro and water drilling using air hammer and mud rotary methods.
Economic Impact of Western Australia’s Mining Sector
The mining of WA’s minerals accounts for 94% of the state’s exports. The state generates $254-plus billion in mineral and energy sales annually, and 134 major mining projects support thousands and thousands of jobs.
What’s more, with population growth and global demand for key minerals surging, WA’s mining sector will remain a critical driver of economic prosperity into the future.
Mineral exploration has never been more important, or more profitable.
Partner with Precision Drilling for Your Mineral WA Exploration Needs
The success of any mining project begins with the right drilling partner, one that understands minerals in WA and the region’s complex geology.
Looking for expert drilling services in Western Australia? Contact Precision Drilling today for reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible exploration support.
