The federal resources minister has urged students concerned about the environment to pursue jobs in mining. 

Speaking at a conference in Perth, minister Madeleine King said future prosperity depends on the resources sector and that young people should know that the sector is making a positive difference. 

“The world needs our young people to consider careers in geoscience, geophysics, chemistry, metallurgy and engineering if we are to decarbonise,” she said.

She told the Seven West Media Resources Technology Showcase - a conference principally presented by the Government of WA and Australian Government, in partnership with Inpex, BHP, Woodside Energy, Fortescue, Rio Tinto, Chevron and others - that Australia's commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 means that the country needs more mining, not less.

“Australia's coal and gas resources are essential for energy security and reliability for decades to come,” King said.

She said gas is still needed to process critical minerals, to produce batteries to store renewable energy, and that in many cases, Australia's gas has the potential to lift millions out of energy poverty, citing an example from her recent visit to India where gas is allowing families in rural areas to access clean cooking fuel.

Ms King said she believes there is an urgent need for the resources sector to get better at telling its story to younger Australians. 

At the same conference, the WA Premier announced a $40 million investment in the critical minerals sector. The Sustainable Geoscience Investments package will include a $16 million boost to the Exploration Incentive Scheme and measures to assist more targeted exploration. The funding is designed to help address the demand for critical minerals for technologies including solar panels, electric vehicles and energy storage.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the investment package included $4 million to the Minerals Research Institute to expand research in net-zero and waste reduction projects, and that the package would build on other initiatives to facilitate green energy projects in WA. 

“Research shows the world's known reserves cannot meet future needs,” he said. 

“Our investment aims to build on our state's successes to date and accelerate resource discoveries in these critical areas.” 

WA accounts for half of global lithium production and is a major exporter of nickel, manganese and rare earths.