Disability service and employment provider Workpower, through its partnership with Mineral Resources, has started to provide specialist invasive and weed management services at Onslow Iron in the Pilbara.
Workpower has been providing services for MinRes’ Yilgarn operations since 2023. Based on its successful work, the partnership was extended to include Onslow Iron.
As one of Western Australia’s largest and longest-serving social enterprises, Workpower supports people with disabilities, their families and their carers by tailoring services and supports to meet the needs of each person.
Additionally, the organisation owns and operates a range of commercial businesses successfully delivering more than 60 quality services across Western Australia, including specialised land management and environmental rehabilitation services.
A team of four will work on the Onslow Iron weed management project, which spans the Onslow and Ken’s Bore sites.
The contract with Workpower has also previously included weed control, mapping and reporting at MinRes’ Yilgarn, Mt Marion and Carina operations and plant installation of 74,000 seedlings at Parker Range.
MinRes’ Environment Principal, Nathaniel Constable, said the Workpower partnership balanced commercial competitiveness with its capacity to assist dynamic compliance commitments and alignment of values.
“At MinRes’ Yilgarn and Mount Marion operations, Workpower has carried out multiple environmental projects in line with company contractor management and safety procedures, supporting the operational approvals commitments to a consistently high standard,” Mr Constable said.
“We’re proud to have Workpower continue working with MinRes.”
Workpower’s CEO, Lee Broomhall, said the team at Workpower Environmental Services was looking forward to more success with MinRes.
“With decades of experience in the resources sector both locally and internationally, we look forward to further delivering exceptional environmental services across MinRes sites,” Ms Broomhall said.
“We exist to create employment opportunities for people with disability through our diverse businesses offering a variety of roles in Western Australia, empowering individuals with disability to grow their careers. Our environmental services business and native plant nursery are just two examples of these businesses.”
Workpower’s Kalgoorlie site was also grateful to recently receive a MinRes Community Grant, which supported the purchase of equipment and resources to set up a sensory room for its school holiday program specifically designed for children with disability.
“Through the community grant and our ongoing environmental work, we look forward to a continued partnership that can make a positive impact on the lives of people with disability,” Ms Broomhall said.
