PERTH (miningweekly.com) - Figures released by the state government on Tuesday showed that Western Australia had sold some A$106-billion worth of resources during 2011/12, with the state accounting for 46% of national merchandise exports.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore noted that iron-ore remained the state’s most valuable sector with A$61.1-billion in sales, while petroleum delivered A$23.8-billion and gold A$9.3-billion.

Other highlights from the 2011/12 Statistics Digest included mineral and petroleum exports accounting for 91% of the state’s merchandise exports earnings.

“West Australians also directly benefited from the A$5.3-billion paid in royalties to the state government in 2011/12, which is ultimately used to fund crucial areas such as education, health and infrastructure,” Moore said.

As one of the great mineral provinces of the world, Western Australia, in 2011/12, hosted 65 operational oil- and gasfields and 975 operating mines, producing more than 50 different minerals.

“These latest figures can be attributed not only to the sheer wealth of resources, political stability and sound regulation in Western Australia, but also to the Liberal National government’s tireless work when it comes to positioning the state as a destination of choice for responsible resources exploration and development,” the Minister said.

“One of the government’s major aims is to attract investment through initiatives such as the Exploration Incentive Scheme’s co-funded drilling programme, supported by the Royalties for Regions programme, which covers up to 50% of successful candidates’ drilling costs.

“The state government also approved the average mine in a 28-month time period in the past four years, which is definitely helping projects get off the ground.”

Moore noted that these initiatives resulted in Western Australia attracting some 55% of Australia’s total mining investment, equalling a spend of some A$82-billion.