Mining, exploration and resources continue to play a major role in the Regional NSW economy.

In 2014-15, the mining and resources sector in Regional NSW contributed A$8.8 billion to the state economy. Coal, iron, steel, aluminium, gold, lead and copper are all major exports.

Excellent opportunities exist for the discovery of new major deposits and the development of existing resources, especially the Murray Basin’s world-class heavy mineral sands.  Export demand from Asia, particularly Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, is high with future growth potential from Australia’s Free Trade Agreements with major markets.

Regional NSW is home to highly efficient and productive mining techniques, operations and service providers.  CMOC-Northparkes Mines, in the State's Central West and Orana region, pioneered the highly innovative block caving method in 1997 and operated the world’s first automated underground block cave mine in 2015.

The NSW Government provides assistance to companies investing in the state, including support for the Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub in partnership with the University of Newcastle.

The Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation and Science offers a number of industry assistance programmes:

• A$100 million Exploring the Future program to boost exploration investment in the sector through production of better geoscience data,

• A$26 million Gas Acceleration Program to increase the supply of gas by accelerating the development of known significant onshore gas resources, and

• Research and Development Tax Incentive to provide tax relief to stimulate industry investment in research and development.

Austrade can facilitate expansion into global markets through provision of market intelligence and support services.

The sector is also a leader in innovation, with businesses investing significantly in research and development activities.

For more details, visit the assistance page.

Page image credits: NSW Department of Primary Industries & NSW Department of Industry