Australia's mining industry has been under increasing pressure over the past year, as slowing growth in China has led to waning demand and a slump in prices of key commodities. But the pressure isn't going to take a heavy toll on resource-rich Western Australia, according to the state's Premier Colin Barnett.
Speaking to CNBC, the Premier shunned the notion that his state's economy is about to face Armageddon on the back of the end of the resources boom.
"This is still a very strong and diversified mining economy. You see huge expansions in iron ore, natural gas… and the re-emergence of copper too as an export from this state," he said.
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Barnett said that while he has never bought into boom and bust analogies, there's still plenty of life left in Western Australia's mining industry, and fears of a recession in the sector are overblown.
"While prices have come off…we are not heading into a recession. Recession is when you decline," he said. "The mining industry might not be growing as fast as it was a few years ago, but it is still growing very strongly."