GOLD. THE HEART OF OUR STATE

Transcription

1 GOLD. THE HEART OF OUR STATE WA gold mining keeps us strong

2 OUR GOLDEN HERITAGE GOLD - AN ECONOMIC DRIVER WA royalties and taxes - more than $300 million Helping build schools, hospitals and police stations THE GOLD INDUSTRY - THE HEART OF WA OTHER NICKEL GOLD IRON ORE WA jobs - more than 25,000 Resources industry s 2 nd largest employer * WA wages - more than $2.8 billion Supporting regional communities * Gold mining has been part of Western Australia s history for more than a century. The gold rush of the 1880s laid the foundations of an industry that has grown with our state. Gold mining has helped support Western Australia s economy, driving population growth and economic development. Today, 29 gold mines operate throughout the state, providing the economic lifeblood for many regional communities. Our miners pay more than $300 million in taxes and royalties each year and this money helps to build our roads, schools, hospitals and police stations. As the second largest employer in the resources sector, the gold industry provides jobs for more than 25, 000 Western Australians and pays more than $2.8 billion in wages. Gold mining keeps Western Australia s economy strong. IRON ORE WA annual WA economy WA gold mines exports - $8 billion - 29 COAL WA - $9 billion contribution GOLD Australia s 3 rd largest export industry * Keeping WA strong * Producing more than 70% of Australia s gold * * Deloitte Access Economics Report: Gold Sector in WA - Economic Contribution and Impact Assessment February Statistics

3 Investing in our communities CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A Mt Magnet mural; Mt Magnet resident and pharmacy owner; Kelly Bodman, Safety Training and Emergency Response Manager at Silver Lake Resources and St John Ambulance volunteer; Ben Pitman, Mt Magnet Volunteer Bushfire Brigade; Mt Magnet main street view; Paul Gent, Open Pit Manager at Northern Goldfields with his son Daniel, Kalgoorlie ABOVE: Natalie Anderson, Ramelius Resources Paramedic and St John Ambulance volunteer, Mt Magnet The gold industry is critical to the social and economic fabric of our state s most remote communities. In many regional towns, gold mining is the main source of economic activity. Companies employ men and women in a wide range of skilled jobs and partner with local businesses to supply goods and services. Western Australian gold miners have a proud record of training Indigenous employees and working closely with traditional owners. Gold companies invest in their local communities. They support sporting and recreational activities and fund vital emergency and community services. The gold industry creates opportunity, employment and prosperity. We care because we live here too. Meet some of our community champions at Gold mining is important because it enables the community to grow and that s good for Mount Magnet. Natalie Anderson Ramelius Resources Paramedic and St John Ambulance volunteer, Mt Magnet

4 WORKING HARD TO KEEP US STRONG THE FACTS Paying our fair share Each year Western Australian gold mining companies pay more than $300 million in royalties and taxes. This helps to build our schools, hospitals and police stations and provide essential community services. Volatile pricing The gold price is volatile and has been trending downward since October Stable taxes and royalties Stable and competitive tax and royalty arrangements are vital to attract future investment and ensure our existing mines remain viable. The productivity challenge Productivity has decreased over the past decade as Western Australian gold miners operate in more remote and complex locations, processing lower ore grades. Working at the margins Unlike other minerals, a large amount of material must be mined and processed to recover just a small amount gold. By most measures, Australia now has the second highest operating costs in the world. ABOVE: Dave King, Registered Manager at Silver Lake Resources, Kalgoorlie You would lose volunteer firefighters and ambulance drivers from the community if gold mining wasn t here. Ben Pitman Mt Magnet Volunteer Bushfire Brigade For more than a century the gold industry has helped keep Western Australia s economy strong. But modern gold miners face a tough operating environment in which costs are high and margins are tight. A healthy flow of vital capital is necessary to build the future of our gold industry and secure tomorrow s prosperity. To remain competitive in a global market, the gold industry needs stable and competitive tax and royalty arrangements. If we keep our gold industry strong, we keep Western Australia strong.

5 SUPPORT WA S HEART OF GOLD Sign the petition Share #heartofgold on Twitter and follow us on Facebook Meet some of our community champions at TIME TO GET INVOLVED You can help protect our gold mining industry and the thousands of Western Australians whose livelihoods depend on it. Sign up to show you care about our gold mining communities. Visit and support the people with a #heartofgold who help keep Western Australia strong. P: E: goldrrg@gmail.com