Nickel and Cobalt
The production of nickel and cobalt, generally from combined ores, requires affordable raw materials, competitively priced energy, and access to export markets. Western Australia has the capability to provide all three — world-class lateritic and sulphide nickel–cobalt deposits, abundant energy reserves for power production and geographic proximity to emerging and expanding Asian markets.
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Projects and Deposits in WA
WA hosts world-class lateritic and sulphide nickel-cobalt deposits, many of which are yet to be exploited.
The deposits are mainly located in the Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West regions of the State, with smaller deposits being worked at Radio Hill in the Pilbara and Sally Malay in the East Kimberley.
Location Options and Infrastructure
The majority of the State’s nickel deposits are in the Goldfields-Esperance and Mid West regions.
These areas have the advantage of established infrastructure, including gas pipelines, rail systems, heavy industrial land and roads.
Western Australia (WA) has large gas reserves. Based on current annual production of 0.9 trillion cubic feet, known gas reserves are expected to last for at least another 100 years.
WA’s gas market is deregulated and gas producers are world competitive in pricing their gas to large gas consumers.
The State's Regional Development Commissions (external link) provide detailed information on living and doing business in the regions, including information on location options and infrastructure.
Investment Opportunities
Western Australia has extensive experience in major resources projects, political stability and numerous opportunities for synergies with other projects currently underway.
As part of the State’s policy to attract and assist value-added industry in Western Australia, the State Government has set aside large areas of land for heavy industry in the Pilbara and South West regions of the State. The cost of this land compares favourably with alternative locations, either interstate or overseas.
Western Australia also has a vibrant local economy, a worldleading quality of life, a skilled workforce, good industrial relations, competitive construction costs, developed infrastructure, an open economy and a stable Government.
An investment opportunity report is available in the right hand panel.
Further Information
For information on exploration; land use, title and tenements; project approval processes; royalties; statistics and economics; geoscience services; and environmental services refer to the Minerals and Petroleum section of this website.
The Department's online database, MINEDEX (refer to Online Systems), provides information on:
- Project and current ownership (corporate)
- Sites, site type and development status
- Locality data (coordinates and map sheets)
- Notice of intent for development
- Contact details of each project
An ebookshop is available that provides a vast range of publications (including reports, maps and bulletins) on minerals and petroleum in WA.
The Business and Industry section of this website provides more detailed information on heavy industrial land and infrastructure and services.
For general information about living and working in Western Australia, refer to:
The State's Regional Development Commissions (external link) provide region-specific information on living and doing business in the chosen region.
