Aug 31, 2026 – 4.58pmResources companies are spending more than ever searching for the next big copper or gas find, but the boom is being held back by sluggish productivity amid surging costs for labour, fuel and machinery.The $1.14 billion spent exploring for copper, gold and other minerals in the three months to June was 17 per cent higher than the same time last year and the highest on record, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles