Launch of Minerals and Energy Week Exhibition

March 17, 1997

Western Australia's vast and valuable minerals and energy sectors will be on full display from today to celebrate this year's Minerals and Energy Week.

An estimated 100,000 people are expected to visit exhibitions centred in Perth, which showcase WA's $15 billion minerals and energy industries.

Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett will launch the Minerals and Energy Week exhibition in Forrest Place this morning, with the theme Our Heritage Our Future.

Mr Barnett said the display was a comprehensive and informative insight into some of the State's top industries.

"Western Australians should be proud that their State is regarded as one of the world's great resource provinces, hosting a diverse range of more than 50 mineral and petroleum commodities," he said.

"Some of these commodities are of global significance, such as our diamonds, which contribute to 38 per cent of world production; alumina, which makes up 21 per cent of world production; iron ore at 13 per cent and gold at around nine per cent of world production.

"The future of our minerals sector is exciting.

"Coupled with this is our energy industry, a driving force of resource project development in the State.

"Most Western Australians would be familiar with deregulation of the energy industry through the establishment of Western Power and AlintaGas. However, there is much more to the energy sector.

"Deregulation has opened up the energy market, is promoting competition and has been the catalyst for major projects such as the Goldfields gas pipeline.

"Projects like these are bringing benefits to all Western Australians, in creating employment opportunities and generating revenue which is helping to provide services such as schools and hospitals for everyone."

Mr Barnett said regional areas were not missing out on the Minerals and Energy Week celebrations.

In Bunbury on the weekend, some 700 paddlers, representing 35 resources-related teams, took part in the biggest corporate dragon boat racing festival ever staged in WA, while in Kalgoorlie on Sunday, the Goldfields Ministers' Fraternal will bless the region's fleet of Haulpaks and other mining machinery at a symbolic ceremony at the Hannans North tourist mine.

The week will also feature school tours, competitions, live entertainment, music, fashion parades, mineral and safety demonstrations and a heritage trail through the city which will end with a gold pour at the Perth Mint.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (09) 222 9699