Mid-Western Region mines spent $320.4 milllion on wages and salaries, direct purchases and community contributions in the region in 2013/14, according to the NSW Minerals Council.
A NSW Minerals Council survey has found Mudgee is weathering the mining downturn, creating more than 200 mining jobs in 2013/14.
The Minerals Council’s latest Expenditure survey found the number of people employed in mining in the Mid-Western Regional Council area increased by 1231 from 2012/13 to 2013/14.
The mines paid $170.2 million in wages and salaries to 1434 full-time employees and spent $150.2 million in purchases with 297 Mid-Western Region business, as well as making community contributions and payments to local government.
The total direct spending, including community contributions, was $320.4 million.
However, the number of businesses supplying local mines fell from 360 in 2012/13 to 297 in 2013/14 as margins tightened and business conditions get tougher.
“This survey, now completed for a third year, demonstrates the scale of mining’s contribution to Mudgee and the Mid- Western Region, and the importance of mining to the broader NSW economy,” NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said.
“The survey also highlights the economic impact of tough times, and how this is flowing into other sectors of the local economy.”
Mr Gallilee said while spending with local businesses was down, mining’s contribution to the Mudgee economy remains strong, with more mining jobs created over the last 12 months.
Across the Central West, the mining industry paid $503 million in wages and salaries to 4009 direct full-time employees, with the Mid-Western Region claiming the biggest share.
The survey found the total spending by mining companies accounted for 31.4 per cent of the gross regional product in the Mid-Western Region and provided 44.4 per cent of regional employment.
This compares to 37.9 per cent of regional employment in Lithgow, where the mines contribute 27.5 per cent of gross regional product.
The New South Wales Minerals Council surveyed 22 NSW exploration and mining companies’ expenditure data to identify the economic contribution of the industry throughout NSW in 2013/14
The companies surveyed paid $1.1 billion in state government payments (including royalties, stamp duty, payroll tax and land tax).
