en.Wedoany.com Reported - Western Australia, with its abundant mineral resources, has become a key player in the global mining industry. The state covers an area of 2.53 million square kilometers and has a population of over 3 million, of which more than 20,000 are directly employed in the resources sector. According to data from the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the state achieved iron ore sales of A$122 billion in FY2024-25, with production reaching 864 million tonnes, near historical highs; during the same period, gold sales were A$29 billion, with production of 6.7 million ounces. Western Australia holds approximately 60% of Australia's gold resources, making it a significant gold-producing region.
The Goldfields-Esperance region, located in the southeastern corner of Western Australia, covers an area of 770,488 square kilometers, making it the largest of the state's nine regions. In 1893, Irish prospectors Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan, and Daniel Shea discovered gold in Kalgoorlie, sparking a gold rush, and Kalgoorlie remains a major mining center today. Since the 1890s, this region has contributed over 60% of the state's gold production.
Gold producer Auric Mining operates the Jeffreys Find Gold Mine, Munda Gold Project, Spargoville Project, and Chalice West Gold Project in this region. Managing Director Mark English stated that the key to the company's land holdings lies in location rather than scale, with better geological conditions being more important than area, and the company is entirely focused on the Coolgardie, Spargoville, Widgiemooltha, and Higginsville areas.
The Gascoyne region is another significant gold-producing area in Western Australia, with frequent exploration activities. Exploration company Danakali is focused on this region, with assets extending from the Gascoyne and Murchison areas to the Arabian-Nubian Shield. The company has applied for exploration licenses covering 1,433 square kilometers across eight separate projects in Western Australia, has been granted 10 of 23 tenement applications covering an area of 634 square kilometers, and expects further approvals in the coming months. Danakali stated that the Gascoyne region is relatively underexplored and has emerged in recent years as a highly prospective area for various mineralization types. Last week (June 25), the company completed field reconnaissance and soil sampling activities covering four prospects in the Gascoyne and Murchison regions, with collected samples currently being analyzed in the laboratory.
Also exploring in the Gascoyne region is Corazon Mining, which holds its Two Pools and Feather Cap projects. Last month, Corazon signed an agreement to acquire the Chalice Gold Project in the Goldfields-Esperance region from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westgold Resources for A$25.7 million. The adjacent Murchison region has historically produced over 17 million ounces of gold, and Meeka Metals began production at its namesake project last year. The Murchison Gold Project has a resource of 1.2 million ounces at a grade of 3 g/t on granted mining licenses, and production is ramping up following the first gold pour in July 2025.
The Mid West region of Western Australia covers nearly one-fifth of the state's area, approximately 470,000 square kilometers, and hosts a thriving gold geology. Great Boulder Resources is focused on exploring for minerals near the Mid West town of Meekatharra, centered on the Side Well Gold Project. Last month, the company discovered multiple high-grade gold zones outside the Side Well resource area. Drilling extended known mineralization within the current 1 million ounce gold resource, delineated high-grade gold between the main Mulga Bill corridor and Mulga Bill East, and confirmed continuity of gold mineralization between the Mulga Bill and Eaglehawk deposits. Drilling highlights include: 21 meters at 7.24 g/t gold from 99 meters; 9 meters at 14.10 g/t gold from 91 meters; 4 meters at 23.6 g/t gold from 134 meters; and 6 meters at 8.04 g/t gold from 156 meters.
Great Boulder plans to commence drilling at the Peak Hill Gold Project, located in the North Murchison Goldfield, 100 kilometers north of Meekatharra, with multiple processing facilities within trucking distance. The company acquired the asset in May 2026 from Aragon Resources, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westgold Resources. The Peak Hill project includes 7 granted mining leases, 1 granted exploration license, and 7 infrastructure miscellaneous licenses, covering a total mining tenure area of 106 square kilometers. Gold mineralization at the project occurs within five main deposits, with a JORC 2012-compliant mineral resource estimate of 9.4 million tonnes at 1.6 g/t gold, containing 481,000 ounces of gold.
The Pilbara region, home to iron ore and liquefied natural gas, covers an area of 507,896 square kilometers and also holds a significant position in the gold industry. Exploration company Pilbara Gold completed a rebranding in April 2026, formerly known as Kairos Minerals, and is focused on advancing its flagship Mt York Gold Project and a portfolio of gold projects in the Pilbara and Eastern Goldfields. Managing Director Peter Turner stated that the name change reflects the company's focus on its primary asset, Mt York. Since the project commenced in April, the company has completed 5,680 meters of diamond drilling at the Main Hill, Main Hill Extension, Gossan Hill, and Gilt Dragon areas, with the first batch of results expected to be announced next month.
In terms of prices, according to Trading Economics, precious metal prices ended the first half of 2026 down 1.74%, with gold trading at US$4,016.60 (A$5,843) this morning, down 10.51% month-on-month but up 21.51% year-on-year. At the 2026 Gold Coast Gold Conference, attendees noted that despite price volatility, macro themes remain strong, with critical minerals, gold, and silver still viewed as safe havens. Noah's Rule Managing Director Sean Russell recommended buying gold, and Legacy Minerals Managing Director Christopher Byrne also stated that there is a very strong consensus in the market.
