The Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia was today awarded half of the $1 billion available through the fund, which comes as part of a multi-billion government package to prevent the facility from closing. 

CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson said it was pleasing to see the Federal Government support the South Australian community of Whyalla, but stressed that WA was the sensible choice for funding through the new measure in order to fully embrace Australia’s green iron potential and the significant opportunity it creates for jobs, the economy and global decarbonisation.

“Western Australia is already the iron ore capital of the world. It’s well established that we are best placed to become a significant manufacturer of green iron,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“As the world’s leading iron ore producer, we have strong trading relationships with steel mills across Asia that are looking to decarbonise their operations.

“Many of our members have also already invested significant time and money researching and developing prospective green iron pathways, including through partnerships with universities.

“The WA Government has also shown strong support for green iron, most recently through its $75 million commitment to the NeoSmelt project in Kwinana.”

The CME’s Green Iron report, released in December, found large-scale production of green iron in WA could reduce global emissions by 1.2 per cent by 2050 – effectively offsetting nearly every tonne of CO2 currently produced in Australia.

It would also generate $74 billion in economic value and supporting 19,600 direct jobs.

“WA’s iron ore producers appreciate green iron’s potential and have taken significant strides towards realising the benefits on offer,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“It is vital they are now prioritised for support through this new fund to accelerate the commercialisation of new technologies and processes suitable for WA iron ores since this is the first step in realising green iron opportunities in Australia.

“It is equally important the Federal Government commits to ensuring Australia gets the fundamentals right to maintain and expand our existing mining operations. 

“That means speeding up project assessments, driving down energy costs, providing certainty over environmental reforms and repealing productivity-killing industrial relations changes.

“There can be no downstream processing – including green iron – without the mines that supply the raw materials.”

Media contacts: 

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719   

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382

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CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson said the deferral was the latest setback for a project that has already spent six years undergoing environmental assessment. 

“Rigorous assessment processes are important to uphold Australia’s world-leading environmental standards but the North West Shelf Project Extension has now been waiting an unacceptable six years,” Ms Tomkinson said.  

“Delays like this do nothing to improve environmental outcomes – but they do significant damage to our ability to attract international investment.”  

The North West Shelf Project Extension received environmental approval from the WA Government in December following a lengthy and robust assessment. 

“The latest delay at a Federal level illustrates once again how duplicative processes act as a handbrake on much-needed development,” Ms Tomkinson said. 

“In a context of declining productivity and rising costs, late-stage project delays fly in the face of the certainty businesses are crying out for. 

“Major project investment decisions take many years and involve significant upfront risk. The ability to provide process and timeline certainty can be the difference between that capital being deployed here in WA or heading overseas.”  

Ms Tomkinson said WA was forecast to face a gas deficit from the end of the decade, with the situation even worse on the east coast.    

“Ensuring we have an affordable, low emission and reliable supply of energy – which the North West Shelf Project Extension will enable – is vital to securing Australia’s economic prosperity,” Ms Tomkinson said. 

“Not only is gas critical to firm up renewables in low-emission electricity grids, it is also a key industrial feedstock. That includes for the refining of critical minerals required for everything from wind turbines to submarines.”    

Media contacts: 

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719   

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382 

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More than 1100 people gathered at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday night to hear the inspirational stories behind each of the 16 finalists.  

CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson said WIRA – now in its 16th year – was an annual reminder of the value of diversity and the increasing prominence of women in industry.  

“WA’s resources sector has long benefited from the passion, commitment and expertise of women workers filling roles from frontline mining operations right through to the C-suite,” Ms Tomkinson said.     

“The calibre of WIRA finalists grows every year and their career journeys often offer a timely reminder of just how far the sector has come since the first awards ceremony back in 2010. 

“Today’s industry is a far more diverse and welcoming workplace, as evidenced by substantial recent growth in both female and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation.” 

CME’s latest Diversity and Inclusion Report, released in September, found women accounted for nearly one in four jobs (24.8 per cent) among surveyed members in 2023.  

That was a significant improvement on 17.8 per cent in 2015.  

Of particular note were substantial gains in the proportion of female managers (23.5 per cent in 2023, up from 15 per cent in 2015), machinery operators and drivers (21.4 per cent, up from 14 per cent) and technicians and trade workers (12.9 per cent, up from 6 per cent). 

Ms Tomkinson congratulated all of the WIRA winners and finalists for their outstanding achievements.  

“Every finalist has an exceptional story and their success highlights the enriching careers now on offer for women in resources,” Ms Tomkinson said. 

“Their passion, professionalism and expertise set the standard for the entire industry and have helped create a safer, more dynamic and more inclusive sector.   

“We still have a long way to go to reach gender parity but it is pioneering women like our WIRA finalists who are lighting the way for others to follow in their footsteps.” 

 The 2025 WIRA award recipients are: 

Outstanding Company Initiative Award 

Fortescue: Mentored Road Traineeship 

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/fortescue/  

Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award 

Amanda de Azevedo Marques, Rio Tinto 

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/amanda-de-azevedo-marques/  

Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Award 

Krystal Findlay, Roy Hill 

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/krystal-findlay/
 

Outstanding Young Woman in Resources Award 

Irene Chandra, Woodside Energy 

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/irene-chandra/
 

Outstanding Woman in Resources Award 

Julie Fallon, Woodside Energy 

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/julie-fallon/
 

Champion of Women in Resources Award 

Brendan Harris, Sandfire Resources 

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/brendan-harris/  

Peoples’ Choice Award 

Irene Chandra, Woodside Energy 

Bio: https://wira.net.au/finalists/irene-chandra/ 

Media contacts: 

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719   

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382 

The post CME’s 2025 Women in Resources Awards winners revealed appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson said the newly legislated production tax incentives (PTI) would help Australia leverage its traditional strength in upstream mining to advance further down the value chain. 

“Offering production tax incentives for hydrogen production and critical mineral processing sends a clear message to investors that Australia is serious about seizing the opportunities presented by the global energy transition,” Ms Tomkinson said. 

“We know Australian resources have a central role to play as the world transitions to net zero, and the passage of this important Bill will help to unlock more of them.” 

The Bill establishes a Hydrogen PTI worth $2 for every kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced for up to 10 years per project.

It also creates a Critical Minerals PTI worth 10 per cent of eligible processing and refining costs for designated critical minerals, again for up to 10 years per project.

Ms Tomkinson said CME had advocated strongly for both measures to provide a response to generous government support on offer in competing countries. 

“While these PTIs will help level the playing field, they must be accompanied by a laser-like focus on improving project fundamentals, including driving down energy costs and speeding up assessments,” Ms Tomkinson said.  

“We have very little prospect of moving into more downstream processing without policy settings designed to maintain and grow Australia’s standing as a premier mining jurisdiction. 

“Our recently released Federal Pre-Budget Submissions contains more than 90 recommendations to reverse years of falling productivity and jumpstart resources investment.  

“They include unwinding recent IR reforms, pausing stage two of the Nature Positive legislation to allow further consultation, accelerating the build-out of electricity infrastructure and cutting the corporate tax rate to a more globally competitive 25 per cent. 

“CME has also recommended developing a new green iron PTI that is stackable with the hydrogen PTI to further encourage investment in one of Australia’s most promising decarbonisation initiatives.” 

Media contacts: 

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719   

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382 

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CME Acting Chief Executive Officer Adrienne LaBombard acknowledged the WA Government for its ongoing commitment to the MARS Program, including through the funding of research by high-quality PhD students.  

“The health and safety of our workforce, both physical and psychological, is the number one priority of the WA resources sector,” Ms LaBombard said.  

“Improving mental health and workplace safety have been the focus of concerted efforts in recent years and the positive outcomes have provided insights that all sectors can learn from.  

“Despite the recent momentum, we know there is always room for further improvement – and research like that funded through the MARS Program PhD Scholarships has a key role to play.  

“CME stands ready to engage with the scholarship recipients. It will be important the research is guided by relevant and representative industry data and to help test the validity of the research findings.” 

Launched in late 2021, the MARS Program is a WA Government initiative that aims to improve mental health, workplace culture and safety in the State’s resources sector.  

MARS Program PhD Scholarships are awarded by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA). 

For more details about the latest recipients, see here.  

Media contacts: 

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719   

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382 

The post Research has a role creating a safe and inclusive resources sector appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) Acting Chief Executive Adrienne LaBombard said a common user CMAP would provide an avenue for demonstration-scale value-adding projects. 

“If proved feasible, a common use CMAP facility would allow businesses to pilot downstream processing without having to commit to expensive upfront investment in their own plant and equipment,” Ms LaBombard said.  

“It is the kind of economy of scale that is vital to moving WA down the production cost curve and improving our international competitiveness.” 

However, Ms LaBombard warned a common use CMAP facility alone was insufficient to attract the scale of investment required to seize the critical mineral processing opportunities on offer in WA. 

“CME remains concerned high energy costs, protracted project assessment timeframes, uncertainty over environmental reforms and productivity-damaging workplace laws remain substantial barriers to investment in the resources sector,” Ms LaBombard said. 

“Worryingly, that includes investment in the upstream mining activities that for so long have underpinned Australian living standards and both the State and Federal budgets. 

“Without sustained upstream production there can be no downstream processing – which is why CME is calling for a back-to-basics approach that prioritises getting the fundamentals right.” 

CME’s recently released Federal Pre-Budget Submission contains more than 90 recommendations, including unwinding recent IR reforms, pausing the passage of new Nature Positive laws to allow further design and consultation and rapidly accelerating the build-out of low-emission, reliable and affordable electricity infrastructure.  

Other recommendations include cutting the corporate tax rate to a more globally-competitive 25 per cent and prioritising the pre-election passage of proposed production tax incentives for critical mineral refining and hydrogen production.   

The full PBS is available here. 

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The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s (DEMIRS) new Eligible Mining Activity (EMA) framework will streamline PoW approvals for mining activities that pose a low threat to the environment and occur outside of sensitive areas.  

CME Acting Chief Executive Officer Adrienne LaBombard said reducing barriers to low-risk exploration activities was a sensible approach that would deliver improved outcomes for both the environment and for business.  

“A streamlined pathway for low-risk PoWs will help accelerate exploration activity, helping secure a future pipeline of resource projects critical to maintaining WA’s economic success,” Ms LaBombard said

“This kind of approach should speed up project assessments across the board while also freeing up resources to focus on more complex applications, which will deliver better outcomes for both the environment and for business. 

“CME looks forward to working with DEMIRS throughout the trial to ensure the settings are adjusted to maximise efficiency gains.”  

An approved PoW is required prior to explorers or prospectors conducting any ground disturbing activity with mechanised equipment. 

As part of the trial, tenement holders will receive automatic authorisation to undertake eligible mining activities after they lodge a mandatory EMA notice, with the notice subject to a standard set of prescribed requirements.   

CME supports the EMA concept and provided submissions to DEMIRS supporting development of the pathway, specifically seeking an expansive approach to its application to maximise its impact. 

Media contacts: 

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719   

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382 

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Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) Acting Chief Executive Officer Adrienne LaBombard said ongoing exploration was critical to maintain and grow the outsized economic contribution of the State’s resources sector.  

“Without explorers identifying prospective new mineral and energy deposits the project pipeline would quicky run dry,” Ms LaBombard said. 

“Junior and mid-tier explorers account for most discoveries in WA but they are often cash strapped and vulnerable to economic headwinds. 

“CME welcomes the $9 million in additional exploration funding promised by WA Labor, which will help ease the financial burden of this important work.” 

Launched in 2009, the EIS is a competitive grant program that offers a refund of up to a 50 per cent – capped at set amounts – for exploration drilling projects.  

“One of the pressure points currently are the timeframes and costs associated with accessing ground to commence exploration activities, as well as skilled workforce shortages in specialist areas,” Ms LaBombard. 

“CME also continues to advocate for further State and Federal Government support for capacity building among First Nations representative bodies.”  

WA Labor’s promise includes $2.5 million for the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) to purchase specialist equipment to map mineral deposits and identify areas suitable for CO2 injection.    

“High-quality data accelerates exploration timelines and mitigates the risk of unsuccessful ventures,” Ms LaBombard. 

“It is particularly pleasing to see a focus on identifying potential carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) sites because we know CCUS is going to be one of the technologies needed to support the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries such as ammonia, cement and LNG processing.” 

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Aluminium has been made in Australia for 70 years. The industry generated $18 billion in 2024 and employs thousands of Australians in regional communities, including in WA through bauxite mining and alumina refining. 

CME Acting Chief Executive Officer Adrienne LaBombard said the credit was a positive step towards safeguarding Australia’s aluminium industry but additional measures targeting other commodities were also required.   

“We hope this announcement is the first of more to come, specifically supporting the development of other green materials in WA, such as green iron and green alumina,” Ms LaBombard said. 

“Maintaining Australia’s existing upstream and downstream industry while seizing the new opportunities on offer through the energy transition will require ongoing and holistic policy support. 

“CME is continuing discussions with the Federal Government for a green iron production credit that is also stackable with other proposed incentives under the Future Made in Australia Plan, such as the $2 per kilogram hydrogen PTI.”  

A CME report released in December found large-scale production of green iron in WA had the potential to slash global CO2 emissions by 1.2 per cent, create nearly 20,000 jobs and generate $74 billion in economic value.  

However, establishing a green iron industry of that scale requires the commercialisation of new technologies and processes as well as significant public and private investment in low-emission energy and supporting infrastructure such as ports, roads and desalination plants.  

 “Our report found WA-made green iron, produced with hydrogen instead of coal, has the potential to offset nearly all of Australia’s 465Mt of domestic CO2 emissions by 2050,” Ms LaBombard said. 

“Industry is already investing to unlock the immense potential on offer but will require government support.  

“That must include an expansion of R&D funding, further tax incentives and substantial additional investment in lowering the cost of low-emissions energy and the rollout of common-user infrastructure.” 

Media contacts: 

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719   

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382 

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