WorkSafe Probes Fatal Crash Near Paraburdoo Amid Copper Price Spike

WorkSafe is investigating a fatal crash near Paraburdoo in July after finding it was work-related. The incident occurred on July 14 when Kalgoorlie FIFO worker Brandon Higgins' vehicle left the road. WorkSafe took several weeks to launch an inquiry, eventually forming the view that the incident could be linked to his work.

An analyst says the Pilbara region could play a significant role in meeting growing demand for copper, as prices hover around an all-time high of US$6.70 a pound. Australia produces just 3% of the world's supply, but senior resource analyst Gavin Wendt believes the Pilbara could help address the shortfall.

Progress has been made on plans to seal a 171-kilometre section of the Great Central Road in WA as part of the billion-dollar Outback Way project. The proposed works involve clearing 660 hectares of native vegetation, but assessments did not identify significant impacts to threatened flora or fauna.