The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) said today it is critically important for the Western Australian resources sector to be able to continue to operate competitively in the global market place.
“Calls to remove the ‘licence to operate’ for some miners should be ignored,” said CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith.
“As evidenced by growth in the resources sector, we have prospered and thrived in an internationally competitive environment. We should not be frightened of the dynamics of the global marketplace,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
“We all want our resources sector to be globally competitive. This success will deliver more royalties to the community and maintain the rich diversity of producers in the Australian market, as opposed to more government intervention,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
Over the past decade iron ore producers in Western Australia have expanded their capacity to meet a growing market. This increased capacity from all Western Australian iron ore exporters has resulted in the State increasing its significant share of seaborne trade in iron ore and with it large increases in State royalties, taxes and community benefits.
The quality of our resources, the productivity of our employees, our proximity to market, coupled with the stable and predictable regulatory environment provided by both the Western Australian and Australian Governments, has facilitated investment which has driven this substantial increase in production capacity.
“CME is supportive of initiatives which improve our international competitiveness, reduce cost pressures and stimulate further growth, not increased regulation and red tape,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
