Sunday, November 20, 2005. 1:00pm (AEDT) Gold price may spark increased exploration in WA
The director-general of the Department of Industry and Resources says Western Australia is set to benefit significantly if the price of gold continues to climb.
The price of bullion has reached an 18-year high with analysts predicting it will hit the $US500 an ounce mark.
Jim Limerick from the Department of Industry and Resources says if the price continues to climb it will trigger new exploration in WA.
He says that will mean more employment and services in country areas.
"There will be increased regional development because gold is quite widespread throughout Western Australia," he said.
"It's the small mines that are located out in the regions that really do bring quite a lot of regional employment and regional benefits out in the bush."
