Minerals & Energy
Invest in the Kimberley
Discover more about investment opportunities within the Kimberley.
Minerals & Energy
Our Resources Sector
The current gross value (sales) generated by the Kimberley in the mining sector in accounts for approximately 0.45 percent of all gross mining value generated by the State (approximately $171.7B).
Developments in the region, such as recommencement of iron ore mining on Koolan Island, indicate a potential increase in mining output for the region.
Brief History of Kimberley Mining
The Kimberley region has a long history of mining activity, commencing with the discovery of gold in Halls Creek in 1885 which led to a brief gold rush, opened up the east Kimberley, the port of Wyndham and the establishment of a number of cattle stations. The construction of the first iron ore mine in WA began in 1944 on Cockatoo Island, with the first shipments of iron ore made in 1951. In the 1980s diamond and zinc/lead deposits were discovered and mines were commissioned at Argyle (diamonds) and Cadjebut (zinc/lead). Further exploration for a variety of resources, including gold and now rare earths near Halls Creek, continues.
Status and Trends
Western Australia’s resources industry grew significantly over the past decade due to unprecedented overseas demand, which resulted in a mineral production and revenue increase from $105b in 2016 and most recent data released by the WA Department of Mines showing an increase to $171.7b for calendar year 2019-2020. The current gross value (sales) generated by the Kimberley in the mining sector in accounts for approximately 0.45 percent ($765m) of all gross mining value generated by the State (approximately $171.7b). In calendar year 2019-2020, iron ore and petroleum, diamonds and nickel accounted for more than half of all mineral production in the Kimberley, as shown in the chart below.
The value of minerals produced in the Kimberley can be volatile as production is mostly driven by world demand, especially China. Production in calendar year ending 2020 showed some improvement in relation to previous periods, whereby the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley produced the greatest value of minerals ($241m), followed by the Shire of Halls Creek ($197m), the Shire of Broome ($6.4m) and the Shire of Derby West Kimberley ($319m).
Click on individual legend series to toggle on/off
Iron Ore
Iron Ore has been a valuable mining commodity with ore bodies on the Kimberley islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago of a very high grade. Pluton Resources Cockatoo Island ceased production in 2015 (due to insolvency) and ore pit filled with seawater in October 2016 after the power supply for the de-watering pumps was discontinued. Still in the Buccaneer Archipelago, operations on Koolan Island have been resurrected with improved iron ore price. Mt Gibson is the main company carrying out iron ore extraction since 2018 on Koolan Island and has created approximately 80 and 315 jobs in between reconstruction and operation. Sales commenced in June 2019.
Diamonds
While the Kimberley is famous for producing rare pink and yellow diamonds, the outlook is for gradual reduction in the industry and production with the Argyle Mine closure and shut down mode in 2020.
The Kimberley is famous for its production of diamonds and accounts for all of Western Australia’s diamond output. The Argyle Diamond mine south of Kununurra is owned and operated by Rio Tinto and is the world’s largest supplier (by volume) and the only known source of pink diamonds. The region is also a significant producer of natural coloured diamonds including champagne, cognac, and rare blue diamonds. The mine has been operating since 1983 and has produced more than 800 million carats of rough diamonds. It is one of the world’s largest supplier of diamonds and the world’s largest supplier of natural coloured diamonds.
The Ellendale Mine (120km east of Derby in the West Kimberley region), which used to produce circa 50% of the world’s yellow diamonds, closed in mid 2015. However, recent exploratory drilling further to the East has identified new prospects and is considered a significant discovery.
Mineral Sands
Mineral sands include Titanium dioxide and Zircon products used in the manufacture of paints and plastics, ceramics, sunscreen, toothpaste, artificial joints and welding rods.
The Kimberley Mineral Sands Thunderbird Project is large-scale, long-life mineral sands mining and processing project located on the Dampier Peninsula located halfway between Broome and Derby, on Joombam-buru native title.
Based on assessments, the site is considered to contain one of the world’s best Mineral Sands deposits, with projections indicating a mine life of more than 36 years. The project moved into production in late 2023 and first shipment exported out of Broome in March 2024.
The project supports over 450 jobs (21% Aboriginal, 41% residents) and prioritises local workforce and procurment.
Heavy Rare Earth Elements
Heavy Rare Earth Elements such as Dysprosium, Lutetium and Terbium are important elements in the manufacture of modern electronics, medical imaging, permanent magnet motors of wind turbines and hybrid vehicles in renewable energy technology.
The Northern Minerals Limited flagship project ‘Brown’s Range’ is located near Ringer Soak (Kundat Djaru) Aboriginal Community about 170km south east of Halls Creek, and is a globally significant high grade deposit of Dysprosium. Northern Minerals operates the pilot stage of Australia’s first heavy rare earth mine, which is expected to scale up from pilot to full operations. Through the development of Browns Range, Northern Minerals aims to be the next significant dysprosium producer outside of China.
Energy: Oil and Gas
Offshore
Major resource companies have invested heavily in Western Australia to increase production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Asian markets with combined Ichthys and Prelude capital expenditure in WA of in excess of $30B. In the last decade, investment in LNG export capacity is at record highs, but remains susceptible to global changes in demand linked to oil and shale gas prices.
LNG and support infrastructure for offshore rigs in the Browse Basin are prominent contributors to the Kimberley economy with Broome providing the key helicopter base for servicing platforms drawing gas up to 450 Km offshore.
However, the offshore extraction and processing of natural gas and the allied industrialisation of the Kimberley led to widespread protest and divided Broome. Consequently, gas processing trains are now located in the Northern Territory or floating LNG vessels.
Onshore
There is significant global interest in developing predominately onshore Canning Basin gas reserves and these projects could make significant positive impact on the Kimberley economy with resident service and operational workforce.
Summary of Petroleum Prospectivity Canning Basin
Most onshore oil and gas in the Canning Basin is shale gas and considered ‘tight’. Deposits in such geology require hydraulic fracturing or fracking to enable commercial extraction. Fracking is controversial in the Kimberley (as in southern regions) and campaigns by environmental groups have impacted the social licence for production and exploration ventures.
Potash
Several projects to produce potash from beneath WA salt lakes are being advanced, as investors hope to gain from growing demand for high quality food, especially driven by Asian consumers. On the West Australian-Northern Territory border, Lake Mackay is Australia’s fourth largest and contains one of the largest deposits of sulphate of potash in the world. It is expected that it will be Australia’s first mine.
The key ingredient of potash is potassium, one of the three main nutrients used in every crop, apart from nitrogen and phosphate. Currently, Agrimin is the company embarking on this project in the North of WA.
Useful Links
Invest In the Kimberley
The Kimberley boasts many progressive, vibrant and promising industries with large potential for future growth.
Annual Report
Ensuring the transparency and accountability for the Kimberley Development Commission.
Our Region
The Kimberley is a complex landscape that represents one sixth of Western Australia’s land mass; equivalent to twice the size of Victoria.
Local Content
Our Local Content Advisor will help develop, promote and maximise opportunities in the regions.