The NSW Minerals Council`s Expenditure Survey found that $2.9 billion was spent on wages to 21,516 full-time employees while $9.6 billion was used to pay 8,202 local businesses, local governments and for use in community projects.

It is estimated that the Hunter Valley region received $5.9 billion or 43% of direct expenditure by mining in NSW followed by Sydney with $3.3 billion and the Illawarra with $1.5 billion.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said the survey results show the importance of NSW�mining companies to the�state’s economy.

“Most people don`t realise that Sydney is a significant mining region, but the reality is that there are many suburbs of Sydney, particularly in Western Sydney, that benefit from mining,”� Galilee said.

“For example, the local government area of Parramatta (LGA) received $411.5 million in direct mining spending on purchases from local supplier businesses. These include numerous manufacturing businesses that produce valuable components used in mining. Businesses in the Fairfield LGA received $226.7 million, businesses in Camden received $165 million and businesses in Auburn $112.5 million.”�

Galilee said with the right policy settings, short-term challenges in the sector can be managed to deliver more jobs and benefits for mining communities.