The award, which continues FMG’s longstanding commitment to
supporting local and Aboriginal businesses, will see the group carry out
the earthworks, access preparation and rehabilitation services
associated with the hydrogeology drilling program for the Iron Bridge
project.
The Iron Bridge project will deliver 22 Mt/y (wet) of high grade 67%
Fe magnetite concentrate product, according to FMG, with the first stage
completed successfully by building and operating a full-scale pilot
plant at the North Star mine site. This pilot project included the use
of a dry crushing and grinding circuit, which FMG plans to leverage in
stage two.
The second stage of the project comprises the construction of a
large-scale process plant, and port infrastructure to support the
production of 22 Mt/y (wet) of iron ore.
In FMG’s March quarter results, released late last month, the company
said the $2.6 billion project was progressing on schedule and budget,
with first concentrate production planned in the first half of calendar
year 2022.
Key milestones in the three-month period included detailed
engineering passing the halfway mark, procurement of major long lead
process equipment committed and the first blast at the ore processing
facility site, enabling bulk earthworks to commence.
Fortescue’s Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines, said
Fortescue’s Aboriginal procurement initiative, Billion Opportunities,
has awarded over A$2.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in contracts and
sub-contracts to Aboriginal businesses and joint venture partners since
the program began in 2011.
“We are committed to building on this proud track record through our
growth projects, Eliwana and Iron Bridge, which have already awarded
over A$60 million in contracts to Aboriginal businesses,” she said.
“Importantly, Billion Opportunities is focused on building the
capability and capacity of Aboriginal businesses, and it is very
pleasing to see Cundaline, a business which commenced operations as a
labour hire company, now expand into earthworks and mechanical
maintenance contracting areas.”
Cundaline’s Managing Director, Brenden Taylor, said: “The West
Canning Basin Earthworks contract is a milestone project and the first
of a number of potential opportunities on the Iron Bridge magnetite
project for Cundaline.
“We have worked hard to transition our company from a labour hire
specialist to a contracting entity managing and delivering our own
projects. I am particularly proud of my team for their professionalism
and ‘can do’ attitude and not giving up during the tough times.
“Along this journey we have worked together with other Aboriginal
businesses and I especially want to acknowledge Fortescue, through the
Billion Opportunities initiative, for making a real difference for a
local and Aboriginal business like Cundaline to continue to grow our
capacity and capability into the future.”