Tag Archives: Aboriginal

Thiess out to deliver ‘real, meaningful’ industry change with MASITE training program

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Thiess says it is looking at ways to promote company-wide adoption of a training program developed in Australia and recognised at this year’s BHP Women in Mining Awards.

Thiess’ Mt Arthur South Indigenous and Inclusive Employment (MASITE) program was named winner in the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance category of the awards announced in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory this week.

The company says it developed the MASITE program to help attract more women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from local communities to its workforce.

“Participants in the MASITE program have access to a world-class training hub, with fully immersive simulators, support from peers and mentors, and a warm and welcoming environment,” Thiess said.

Nearly 170 participants had come into the program since March 2021, including 109 women and 79 Indigenous trainees. Thiess said female participation at the Mt Arthur South site had increased by 6.5% and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island participation had risen by 10.5%.

More than 90% of MASITE trainees converted to Thiess permanent employees at the end of the program.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team at Mt Arthur South for the work they’ve put into developing the MASITE program,” Thiess Group Executive Australia East Operations, Rae O’Brien, said. “We’ve seen an increase in our female and Indigenous participation at Mt Arthur South since the program was first introduced, which is a great outcome.”

Thiess Mining Project Manager, John Hamson, said the MASITE program was having a significant positive influence on the culture at Mt Arthur South.

“For many participants, this program has been life-changing, providing a new pathway to rewarding careers and creating a brighter future for them and their families,” he said.

Thiess plans to continue onboarding new-to-industry recruits through the program and said it was exploring ways to roll the program out to the rest of the company.

“Thiess looks forward to continuing to deliver real, meaningful change in the industry,” the company said.

IMARC is the premier gathering for the most influential minds in the mining industry, a dynamic hub where ideas ignite, and inspiration flows – it is the ultimate meeting ground for global industry leaders.

As Australia’s largest and most significant mining event, IMARC attracts over 9,000 decision makers, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, commodity buyers, technical experts, innovators and educators from more than 120 countries. For three action-packed days, attendees will engage in cutting-edge learning, forge valuable deals, and experience unparalleled networking opportunities. IMARC is due to take place in Sydney, Australia, from October 29-31.

Indigenous business First Nation Engineering completes first contract with Northern Star

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First Nation Engineering Pty Ltd (FNE) is celebrating the completion of its first contract, providing engineering design and procurement services to Northern Star Resources Ltd in relation to borefields expansions at the miner’s Thunderbox, Carosue Dam and KCGM Operations, in Western Australia.

FNE is a registered Supply Nation Indigenous business, an incorporated joint venture between a subsidiary of the Carey Group — one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal commercial enterprise, with over 27 years of project delivery excellence in the mining, civil and training industries — and CPC Engineering — which began in the Goldfields more than 50 years ago and now offers end-to-end mining and infrastructure services for clients state-wide.

FNE is the first Indigenous company to offer comprehensive design, construction and maintenance services across the resources, energy and agricultural sectors, it says, with the joint venture launched a year ago at the 2022 Diggers and Dealers conference, in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

FNE Chief Executive Officer, Moses Panashe, said: “FNE is pleased to have partnered with Northern Star on this project. My hope is that we will continue to work with Northern Star in the future, and that this is just the beginning.

“The other benefit is that under the terms of the joint venture, a percentage of profits from First Nation Engineering projects are set aside for special purpose programs such as Indigenous scholarships.”

Carey Group is involved in Aboriginal training, employment and community programs.

Northern Star’s KCGM Operations General Manager, Kous Kirsten, said Northern Star was “committed to establishing sustainable supply contracts with Indigenous businesses across the Company’s Australian Operations”.

Kirsten added: “Northern Star recognises the value Indigenous businesses create within our supply chain, and the benefits they generate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and local economies. Northern Star looks forward to developing many other opportunities to engage First Nation Engineering.”

IronMerge SIMPEC joint venture to work on Pilgangoora lithium operation

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SIMPEC and IronMerge have secured their first contract under a newly incorporated joint venture, with the IronMerge SIMPEC JV to work on Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora lithium operation in Western Australia.

WestStar Industrial Ltd’s SIMPEC formed its first Aboriginal Business joint venture, IronMerge SIMPEC JV, with IronMerge Pty Ltd just last month.

The Stage 1 A$15 million ($11.7 million) improvement works contract at Pilgangoora involves a series of works to improve operating time and throughput as part of continuous improvement to operational performance of Pilgangoora’s Stage 1, 2 Mt/y processing facility.

SIMPEC has been contracted to perform all vertical installation works including earth works, civils, fabrication, structural, mechanical, piping, tanks, electrical and instrumentation works for the project. All works will be conducted with joint venture partner IronMerge.

The Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project has a current resource of 222.5 Mt and existing JORC compliant reserves of 104.6 Mt.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi (pictured on the right), said: “This newly awarded contract is a tribute to not only our SIMPEC delivery team but also Ian Taylor (Chairman of IronMerge, pictured in the middle next to Ken Brinsden, MD and CEO of Pilbara Minerals, on the left) and his IronMerge team. This is a very proud moment for all of us and I sincerely look forward to seeing this JV relationship growing and developing in the construction and mining sector. A big thank you to the Pilbara Minerals team for backing us throughout this tender phase.”

SIMPEC and IronMerge create Aboriginal Business JV serving the Pilbara

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WestStar Industrial Ltd’s engineering contractor business SIMPEC has formed its first Aboriginal Business joint venture, IronMerge SIMPEC JV, with IronMerge Pty Ltd.

IronMerge is a Supply Nation Aboriginal-owned mining and civil works service company, delivering local contracting solutions to customers across the Pilbara, driving employment outcomes for Indigenous people and local communities in the Port Hedland region, WestStar says. The company prides itself on being a Nyamal family business and offers direct employment for Nyamal people in the Pilbara.

IronMerge SIMPEC JV, an unincorporated 50:50 joint venture, has been formed to deliver a key component of SIMPEC’s Aboriginal engagement strategy and overall commitment to returning benefit to Traditional Owners and communities within its operational footprint, according to WestStar.

The key objectives of the joint venture are:

  • For SIMPEC and IronMergeto cooperate and support one another in construction and service opportunities in and around the Pilbara, winning work jointly or separately;
  • To actively participate and positively contribute to the communities in which the parties operate by continuing to create local employment opportunities and engaging the community interest in everything that is done; and
  • To be project and service delivery partners of choice through complete alignment with clients in meeting their goals, obligations and commitments to Traditional Owners and local Aboriginal businesses.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “This is a milestone achievement not only for SIMPEC but also Ian Taylor (pictured in the centre) and his IronMerge team. This is a very proud moment for all of us and I sincerely look forward to seeing this JV relationship delivering sustainable outcomes to our businesses and equally to Aboriginal business and communities. A big thank you to all involved in bringing the first step in our ambitious goal to a reality.”

SIMPEC says it continues to develop and strengthen its relationship with local Traditional Owners and Aboriginal businesses.

“We believe our overall focus on social responsibility will further enhance SIMPEC’s positioning for financial year 2021 and beyond,” it added.

FMG backs Western Australia Aboriginal businesses in latest contract awards

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Fortescue Metals Group has awarded more than A$6 million ($4.4 million) worth of contracts to two Western Australia Aboriginal businesses, as part of the iron ore company’s Billion Opportunities programme.

Aboriginal-Noongar owned business Kooya Australia Fleet Solutions, Australia’s largest indigenous fleet management and rental company, has been awarded a three-year contract for the supply of light and commercial leased vehicles across Fortescue’s operational sites, while majority owned Aboriginal business Thuroona Services has been given a contract for maintenance work at Fortescue’s rail operations.

Since the inception of Fortescue’s Billion Opportunities in 2011, 270 contracts and sub-contracts valued at A$2 billion have been awarded to 110 Aboriginal-owned business and joint ventures, Fortescue said.

Fortescue Chief Financial Officer Ian Wells said the contracts signified the company’s continued commitment to supporting local content as part of its procurement process.

“By partnering with Aboriginal businesses to build their capability and capacity, we are opening the doors to future work with other organisations which is fundamental to their economic sustainability and prosperity,” he said.