BHP has awarded Kariyanna Mining Services with an initial six-month contract for the replacement of handrails at its Nelson Point Facility in Port Hedland, Western Australia.
Kariyanna Mining Services, a joint venture between the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation and engineering firm Minprovise, was awarded the contract via BHP’s Local Buy Program.
Port Hedland General Manager, Cindy Dungam, said the contract would significantly improve safety and security for onsite workers.
“Kariyarra Mining Services will provide a range of services to BHP including general mechanical maintenance works, mechanical design, engineering and drafting, labour hire, site services and fabrication and boiler making onsite and offsite,” Ms Dungam said.
“We have 500m of handrails and kickplate that are aging and need to be replaced, and we are extremely pleased that this work will be undertaken by a local Traditional Owner business.”
At a celebratory event in Port Hedland recently, Ms Dungam thanked Raylene Button, a Kariyarra Traditional Owner, who was instrumental in the partnership between Kariyarra and Minprovise, a company which provides specialist engineering services to the mining industry.
“We are proud to be able to partner with a Kariyarra Traditional Owner business which will help us deliver a project that will improve safety at Nelson Point,” Ms Dungam said.
“BHP wants to do much more to build sustainable, profitable and enduring partnerships with Indigenous businesses across our operations, and we are working hard at all levels of BHP to make this happen.
“Our partnership with Kariyarra Mining Services and the Kariyarra, is just one of many wonderful partnerships that we hope to build upon into the future.”
