ABC - Iron Ore boom Western Australia's Minister for State...

ABC - Iron Ore boom

Western Australia's Minister for State Development, Eric Ripper, believes the state's iron ore boom is likely to come to an end in the next 15 years.

Speaking at an iron ore conference in Perth, Mr Ripper said last year more than 280 million tonnes of iron ore was shipped out of WA, from eight miners.

He says the rapid expansion of the industry means this will increase to 600 million tonnes in five years.

However Mr Ripper believes supply will eventually outstrip demand.

" There are good signs that iron ore will further underpin economic growth in Western Australia but cumulative development tonnages currently being projected further out are likely to exceed the market demand in seaborne trade over he next 15 years or so," he said.