Fortescue Metals Group's recent awarding of $179 million in contracts to Aboriginal businesses highlights two different approaches to indigenous development.
Indigenous contracting group Eastern Guruma, which has contracts or joint ventures with the likes of Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group, NRW Holdings and Carnegie Clean Energy, has been placed into administration.
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation will seek compensation from Fortescue Metals Group after the Federal Court recognised it has exclusive rights over Pilbara land where the company operates the Solomon hub.
Fortescue Metals Group, Chevron and Rio Tinto have announced six new deals with indigenous businesses and charities, with the winners including Pilbara contractor Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Enterprises and Perth stationery supplier Kulbardi.
Perth-based Energy Made Clean has struck a partnership deal with Aboriginal corporation Eastern Guruma for the rollout of solar power stations and solar water pumps in northern Australia.
Perth-based Indigenous Construction Resource Group is poised to become a bigger player in the mining services sector after its chairman, Clinton Wolf, lured NRW Holdings founder and former managing director Jeff McGlinn out of retirement.
Facing a slowdown in mining-related construction work, indigenous contractors are diversifying into new fields, establishing joint ventures and highlighting their Aboriginal credentials. Click through to also see our BNiQ list of 25 major indigenous contractors in WA.
