ABOUT US

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) is the peak resources sector representative body in Western Australia.

The role of CME is to champion the Western Australian resources sector and assist it in achieving its vision to lead the world in sustainable practice through innovation and to underpin Australia’s position in the global economy.

CME is a persuasive industry voice, adding value to our member companies in a dynamic and increasingly complex operating environment.

In order to achieve this, CME strives to:

• Lead policy development on issues impacting on the resources sector
• Promote the value of the sector to the community
• Represent the views and advocate the needs of our members
• Provide an avenue through which members and stakeholders are able to collaborate

With policy expertise spanning industry and research activities, occupational safety and health, education and training, infrastructure, water, energy, environment, exploration, Indigenous affairs and workforce development, CME provides stakeholders and members with an avenue for undertaking extensive collaboration on all industry matters.

Our Members

CME represents companies directly involved in the resource sector (including mining, oil and gas) or those providing services to it. CME's member companies generate 95 per cent of all mineral and energy production and employ 80 per cent of the resources sector workforce in the State.

CME’s member companies are the foundation of our success, their valuable contributions helping build and prioritise our agenda. Their efforts and expertise enables CME to lead policy development on issues impacting on the resources sector, and promote the sector’s value to the Western Australian and national communities.

Our History

In 1895, following the discovery of gold in Coolgardie, local leaseholders and representatives of the area's gold mining companies formed the Coolgardie Chamber of Mines and Commerce to protect and advance their interests. The Kalgoorlie Chamber of Mines was inaugurated the following year, with a Perth Chamber of Mines established in 1897, consisting principally of attorneys and legal managers of gold mining companies. The Perth chapter soon folded as it was considered too removed from the industry's geographic centre.

Over the next few years, a great deal of new legislation was passed and trade unions grew in influence. It became necessary for mining companies to unite on a larger scale. So it was that in 1900, the Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie Chambers were amalgamated to provide a consolidated voice for the flourishing gold mining industry, and the Chamber of Mines of Western Australia was born.

At the first general meeting of the new Chamber on 11 March 1901, Richard Hamilton was unanimously elected as the inaugural President, a position he held until his death in 1943. This meeting was attended by 37 members, who voted upon the Chamber's structure and Constitution. At that time, the Chamber's financial assets totalled 520 pounds.

At its first meeting on 18 March 1901, the Chamber’s Executive Council discussed a range of matters including, opposition to the granting of a sluicing and dredging area as recommended by the Warden, methods of mine timbering, and a recommendation that the Government supply immediately at least 250 additional rolling stock for conveyance of fuel and fresh water supplies to the mines.

CME has grown with the mining industry, particularly through the boom times of the 1960s when key minerals such as iron ore, bauxite and nickel came on line. As the industry expanded into oil, petroleum and natural gas, so too did CME, leading to its formal renaming as the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia Inc (CME).

CME Today

Today's mining and energy sector is diverse and complex covering exploration, processing, downstream value adding and refining.

CME has grown hand-in-hand with the industry over the past century and is extremely proud of its record of achievement in supporting the industry, its workers, their families and the Western Australian community. It has provided a valuable and effective connection between the industry, community and Government at all levels.

CME celebrated its centenary in 2001 and hopes to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2101 with a record of success and achievement as enviable as that of its first 100 years.

Visit our Portfolios page to see the projects CME is currently undertaking on behalf of members.

Contacts:

• The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia
  Phone: +61 8 9325 2955
  chamber@cmewa.com