Industry and projects

Rich, diverse and precious, the City of Karratha’s resources, experiences and industries are as unique as the people who drive them.   

Known for being part of the as part of the world’s greatest mineral province right here in the Pilbara, the City is also home to emerging and established industries and distinctive tourism experiences.  

Our region is rich with opportunity. 

Resources

Home to multi-national corporations and hub for exporting resources worldwide, the City of Karratha is a globally-significant area with a long history of exporting iron ore, liquefied natural gas, salt and ammonium products.  

Over the next few years, the mining industry within the Pilbara is set to undergo another upcycle. 

These developments will require a significant construction workforce, with more than 2,000 new operational positions expected to follow.  

Beyond the direct impacts, the local economy will benefit from flow on effects in consumption and demand for manufacturing and support industries, which in turn supports additional jobs.   

In addition to the oil and gas sectors, a number of emerging industries are also gaining momentum; gold, lithium, zinc and cobalt projects are currently being developed across the Pilbara. The City of Karratha is the epicentre of this growth.  

Tourism

Karratha is the gateway for world-class tourism experiences including islands, natural parks, ancient rock art and cultural eco-tourism. The City focuses on attracting increasing visitation to the region to support a thriving tourism industry.  

Visitors to the region injected $250 million into the local economy between January 2021 and December 2021, representing a significant opportunity to provide new, high-quality experiences to visitors and residents to grow and diversify our local economy.   

The Karratha Tourism and Visitor Centre is the official home of tourist experiences within the City of Karratha. Located on Dewitt Road, the friendly team can assist with information, advice and bookings for some unique, unforgettable experiences with local tour operators.  

Read the Karratha Destination Management Plan for more information. 

Emerging Industry

As a hub of significant investment and part of the world’s greatest mineral province, the Pilbara, the City is also home to a diverse range of growing and emerging industries, including:  

• Gold and other precious metals – regional reserves span beyond iron ore. The region is rich with gold, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc and other minerals, helping create a rich and diverse local economy.  
• Decarbonisation – bolstering the strong sustainability focus adopted by the resources industry; major players have an appetite to reduce their carbon footprint. Woodside, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) are in advanced stages of design/development of large scale solar and renewables projects.  
• Supply and logistics – direct sea freight has increased local business’ accessibility to materials and Asian markets.  
• Renewable energy – the State Government has set aside $117.5 million to match Commonwealth funding to develop hubs in the Pilbara and Mid-West, putting WA at the forefront of this emerging industry. The proposed hub would complement and build on activity already undertaken by the City and partners to establish the Pilbara Hydrogen Cluster - a group of likeminded organisations focused on building the skills, capability and viability of hydrogen opportunities in the Pilbara.