Local job-seekers are the biggest winners from a multinational mining company’s decision to award $900 million in contracts for its metal project in Far North Queensland.
Rio Tinto has awarded dozens of contracts for its Amrun Bauxite Project, 40km south of Weipa.
QMEB can reveal Rio has awarded at least 46 packages to predominantly Queensland suppliers. A total of 509 local businesses have been engaged to supply goods and services to the site, employing more than 1600 workers.
Some 77 per cent of these 1600 are contracted are from Queensland and 70 per cent of them are new recruits.
“We are proud of the contribution this tier one asset will make in supporting Queensland communities. Sustainability is crucial to this project and strict guidelines are in place for all suppliers,” Rio Tinto chief executive Jean-Sébastien Jacques says.
“They must demonstrate they are commercially competitive, technically competent and most importantly, align with the safety standards of our group.”
Businesses bidding for contracts over $1 million must complete a local and Indigenous participation plan as part of the procurement process. Once awarded, contractors must report on how they are performing against their commitment.
To enquire about job opportunities, view the list of successful contractors here: gateway.icn.org.au/project/3677/amrun-south-of-embley-project
The Queensland Premier welcomed the award of contracts.
“Rio Tinto’s significant investment in local and regional suppliers will provide a tremendous boost to the economy of Queensland,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.
“The Amrun project will ensure Queensland businesses and their employees will continue to reap the benefits of many development opportunities for years to come. It is a best practice example of encouraging local and Indigenous participation with substantial employment targets already agreed with many key suppliers.”
The project involves building a mine, processing plant, bauxite stockpile, power station, warehouse, barge, ferry and ship loading facilities.
Amrun will replace the depleting East Weipa bauxite mine and increase overall bauxite exports from Cape York by around 10 million tonnes a year.
Production and shipping is expected to commence in the first half of 2019, ramping up to full production by the end of the same year.
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