BHP Billiton has launched a global technology centre within the Australian Resources Research Centre at Technology Park, the Perth Technology Centre (PTC) in Western Australia.
More than 20% of BHP Billiton's total assets are now in Western Australia.
BHP Billiton's significant footprint in Western Australia includes its Carbon Steel Materials, Petroleum, Aluminium and Stainless Steel Materials businesses. It employs more than 12,000 people directly and as contractors throughout the State.
Since 2001, BHP Billiton has approved ten projects in Western Australia at a cost of nearly A$6.7 billion. There are also a number of additional projects in the feasibility and pre-feasibility stages of assessment. Its annual State royalties and taxes were $359.3 million in the 2005 financial year.