Western Australia’s (WA) economic lifeblood is hanging in the balance with a growing number of mining workers forced to isolate amid the spread of Omicron in the state. Around 80 workers at mining giant BHP’s Yandi iron ore mine in the Pilbara are isolated and awaiting test results after being identified as close contacts to another worker who—though testing negative before departure—returned a positive result after feeling unwell on site. A case was also recorded at 29Metals’ Golden Grove copper and zinc mine near Yalgoo. The state’s total active COVID-19 cases are currently at 155. WA has been mainly left untouched economically since the beginning of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, with almost every other state in Australia being plunged into billion-dollar budget deficits, WA was the only exception, recording a $5.6 billion surplus on the back of skyrocketing iron ore prices. BHP confirmed on Jan. 31 that …