FMG Expects 2400 Hires as First Sod Turned on Eliwana Iron Ore Mine

Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has turned the sod on its $1.7 billion Eliwana iron ore mine in Western Australia’s North West, announcing $330 million in contracts with another $500 million expected before the end of 2019.

The company said the mine would create 1900 jobs during construction and 500 full-time site positions once operational.

It will include an ore processing facility and 143 kilometres of rail.

FMG chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said 250 companies had been awarded contracts for the project, with 80 per cent Western Australian owned.

She said a joint venture between the Puuti Kunti Kuruma Pinikura (PKKP) Enterprises Pty Ltd and Action Industrial Catering would handle the catering, administration and general village services at the Eliwana fly camp.

This follows the early mine earthworks contract to Jilpanti Enterprises, a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned business, as part of a joint venture with Cross Verwijmeren.

Ms Gaines also said FMG was working with Muntulgura Guruma Pty Ltd, a 100 per cent Aboriginal owned company, to carry out the access and enabling earthworks to support the Eliwana rail development.

“The business opportunities are also substantial,” she said.

“We’re proud to be working with local businesses on the steel fabrication of key pieces of infrastructure and we are committed to supporting Aboriginal and WA businesses, as we have always done.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan praised the “strong local content” in the project contracts, which included 30 with a value of $1 million or more to Australian entities.

“It’s great to see a strong local content component, with many Western Australian companies awarded contracts to carry out important works, including steel fabrication,” he said.

“Eliwana is one of a number of large projects we expect will come online in the next few years, which points to confidence returning to our state’s economy.”

The mine still has hurdles to jump with approvals processes under way for two public environmental reviews and a mining proposal.

Source: WA Today, 5 July 2019