In 2017, 210 tonnes of gold were mined in Western Australia, worth A$11.2 billion to the state economy. The GSDU provides the only regular police service to many of the isolated mines in Western Australia. The functions of the GSDU continue many of the 1907 GSDS functions, including the provision of clearance certificates for prospective mine workers, inspections, advice and education, and its main role for 100 years, detection and prosecution of gold theft. The GSDU currently consists of six detectives, funded by the WA Chamber of Mines. In October 2004, the GSDU arrested six men in Norseman and charged them with offences ranging from stealing to possession of unlicensed firearms. In January 2009, GSDU charged six men with theft of safety equipment at mines. In December 2013 the GSDU investigated a clandestine gold processing plant in suburban Kalgoorlie, reminiscent of the means by which gold stealers operated in the early years of the 20th century.