NSW Mining’s Decade of Delivering | Member companies pump $122 billion into NSW economy over last 10 years

New analysis by the NSW Minerals Council has found our mining member companies directly injected over $122 billion into the NSW economy over the last decade, creating tens of thousands of jobs and supporting thousands of local businesses across the State.

The analysis of the last decade’s figures also shows that our mining member companies steadily increased the number of direct jobs provided over the last ten years, from around 20,000 per year in 2011-12 to around 30,000 per year in 2020-21.

This includes an increase in the number of Hunter-based mining workers over the last decade, whose votes could decide the outcome of a handful of key seats at the federal election on 21 May.

Since 2012, the NSW Minerals Council’s Member Expenditure Survey has recorded the number of jobs our member companies provide in NSW, as well as direct spending levels, and the number of local businesses supported.

Now in its tenth year, analysis shows that our mining member companies directly invested $122 billion in NSW over the last decade, including $28 billion in wages and salaries and over $81 billion in purchases with thousands of local supplier businesses.

And despite the economic peaks and troughs over the last ten years, as well as the last two years of a global pandemic, our mining member companies continue to support between 7,000 to 8,000 supply businesses across NSW – from Western NSW to Western Sydney.

The report also shows the massive direct contribution made to the NSW budget with over $15 billion in mining royalties delivered to the NSW Treasury over the last ten years, and another $2.8 billion forecast in the most recent budget update.  This revenue helps pay for vital services like hospitals, schools, roads, public transport and emergency services.

“These jobs and expenditure numbers are a direct reminder of the sustained economic contribution of mining to NSW over the last decade. The results highlight the importance of a strong mining sector for the NSW economy and for mining communities across the state,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said today.

“Local mining families and communities have done a lot of the economic lifting since 2012. They’ve worked hard to keep the industry operating, helping to maintain jobs, investment, and spending with local businesses. This has delivered economic stability, particularly when it has been needed most.”

Over the last few years, in particular, figures from the annual Member Expenditure Survey show that the NSW mining sector is stronger than ever, with outstanding opportunities on the horizon.

Global demand for high-quality NSW metals and coal has continued at record levels, reflected in high prices. This has meant more mining jobs, more royalties for the people of NSW, and more economic benefits for NSW mining communities.

“That’s why, during the federal election campaign, mining communities across NSW want to know that they’ll be supported well into the future so they can keep delivering for the State,” Mr Galilee said.

“For example, the most recent survey results found our member companies provided jobs for over 13,000 mine workers and their families in the Hunter, up from 10,800 a decade ago. The votes of these miners and their families, and the people who work in over 3,000 local mining supply businesses, have the potential to decide the outcome of three close local electorates – Hunter, Paterson and Shortland.”

“These hard-working families want to see more than just hi-vis happy snaps on the campaign trail.  They want to see commitments of support converted into real action beyond the next election.”

“What politicians say before an election might be important. However, what they do afterwards will be far more important for the future of our industry, and for the tens of thousands of people across NSW who rely upon it,” Mr Galilee said.

Contact: Brad Emery