The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia

Another reminder of the importance of the resources sector to the entire nation. Read the story from today's The West Australian here: https://hubs.ly/Q02WH55J0

The Australian mining industry paid $43.1 billion in company tax in 2022-23, with oil and gas producers contributing an additional $11.6 billion. Combined, the resources sector was responsible for well over half ($54.7 billion) of the total $97.9 billion in income tax paid by large corporations in 2022-23. Taxes paid by the oil and gas sector increased more than tenfold from $1.5 billion in 2021-22 to $11.6 billion in 2022-23, reflecting major projects moving further into their production cycles. CME members BHP ($7.4 billion), Rio Tinto ($5.8 billion), Chevron Australia ($4.2 billion), Fortescue ($3.5 billion), Woodside Energy ($2.7 billion), Shell Energy Australia (1.6 billion), Roy Hill ($1.2 billion), Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd. ($1 billion), Hancock Prospecting ($930 million), Pilbara Minerals Limited ($883 million) and bp ($698 million) all ranked among the top 30 highest corporate taxpayers in 2022-23. Read the CME's full media release here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Wztjy0 Or read the full ATO Corporate Tax Transparency Report here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Wzq7P0 📷: Chevron Australia's Gorgon LNG facility

Congratulations JERA Australia and Woodside Energy on this landmark deal.

Todays topic in our National Work Safe Month series focuses on heat stress in mining. Heat stress can lead to an increase in a worker's core body temperature. Factors contributing to heat stress include the worker's clothing, physical activity, and environmental conditions like air temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and air movement. The body’s reaction to heat stress is known as heat strain. Access and download the full information sheet directly from the CME website

The sheer scale of the global energy transition is hard to comprehend, which is why collaboration is so critical on the path to net zero. This morning I joined an International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) panel discussing ways government, industry and communities on the ground can work together to accelerate efforts to decarbonise. Without consensus between the private and public sectors, local communities and Traditional Owners, the common user infrastructure needed to quickly bring low-emissions energy online at scale simply won't be built. Thanks to my fellow panellists Sanjeev Gandhi (BE Chemical, MBA), Stephen McIntosh, Gabby Sycamore and Lisa Zembrodt - and of course our moderator Holly Ransom.

It was a pleasure hosting Premier Roger Cook at yesterday’s CME members’ lunch, which coincided with the release of our 2025-26 WA Government Pre-Budget Submission. The Premier ruled out any additional royalties or mining taxes under a government he leads and announced new environmental assessments laws to allow parallel processing will come into effect on November 28. He also spoke about his expectation that the SWIS will reach 70 per cent renewables by 2030, with more details about the location and timing of new transmission lines set for release in early 2025. Premier Cook also announced an updated WA Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, which now has a particular focus on using hydrogen for the production of green ammonia and green iron. Most importantly, the Premier recognised the vital role WA resources will play in the global energy transition. “We’ll never reach our clean energy ambitions if we withhold the keys to its success. The resources industry is the springboard from which our economy can diversify.” A big thank you also to The West Australian's State Political Editor Jessica Page for a probing and insightful Q&A with the Premier, and to every CME member for their input into our comprehensive Pre-Budget Submission.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia's 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission is a comprehensive blueprint of the action's needed to support the ongoing competitiveness of the resources sector and attract new investment and industries. The WA Government PBS contains more than 80 recommendations focusing on five key policy areas: competitive fiscal settings, efficiency in regulation, energy security and transition, regional economic development and fostering a safe, diverse and productive workforce. Some of the recommendations include: - Committing to no new or increased royalties or taxes. - Adjusting royalty settings to better incentivise value-adding products like magnetite and battery minerals. - Swiftly implementing outstanding recommendations from the Vogel-McFerran - Review to streamline environmental assessments. - Urgently releasing a draft master transmission plan for the SWIS and appropriately resourcing the construction of new transmission infrastructure. - Consulting with industry to priorities both current and future funding for Strategic Industrial Areas. - Working closely with the Australian Government, including through upcoming reviews of recent federal legislation, in support of IR reforms that improve labour productivity. The full PBS is available here https://hubs.ly/Q02W57PB0

The next topic in our National Work Safe Month series focuses on Health Management Plans. A Health Management Plan (HMP) identifies potential health hazards for all workers at mining operations and outlines monitoring and assessment strategies to protect their well-being. Through regular inspections, audits, and health monitoring, mine operators ensure that exposure levels remain safe and effective risk management practices are in place. Access and download the information sheets directly from the CME website.

The WA mining industry’s position as a global leader in sustainable practice was front and centre at last week’s 2024 ESG Global Leaders Conference in Shanghai - the largest event of its kind in China - co-hosted by CITIC Group. During a panel session The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia CEO Rebecca Tomkinson spoke about the WA industry’s journey to embed ESG best practice into everyday operations, to not only meet regulatory requirements but growing corporate social responsibility expectations from the wider community. Mrs Tomkinson said the WA industry stood ready to share these experiences with other mining jurisdictions, for a more sustainable global industry. She also highlighted the close and mutually beneficial economic relationship between WA and China. Among the 270 speakers at the two-day event were IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ivanhoe Mining founder Robert Friedland and CITIC Group Chairman Xi Guohua. While in China, Mrs Tomkinson also took the opportunity to meet with one of the country’s leading power generators Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd and inspect CITIC PACIFIC SPECIAL STEEL HOLDINGS's highly advanced steelmaking facility in Jiangyin – the latter a longstanding customer for Western Australian iron ore. #CMEWA #ironore #WAGovernment #mining #ESG #sustainability #greeniron

The first topic in our National Work Safe Month series focuses on Diesel emissions. Diesel engines release harmful emissions, including diesel particulate matter, exhaust gases, and metallic compounds, posing risks in enclosed spaces like underground mines and workshops. Inadequate ventilation can lead to dangerous accumulation of these pollutants. It’s crucial to also consider heat, noise, vibration, and nanoparticles when managing risks for workers near diesel engines. Prioritizing safety and proper ventilation is essential for a healthier work environment!