Cape JV wins Rio contract

A 50-50 joint venture between Cape and Aboriginal business Kurtarra has announced it secured an optical fibre contract with Rio Tinto.

Under the contract, the JV will install 170 kilometres of optical fibre as part of the construction of a new rail spur to connect the Koodaideri mine to the existing Rio Tinto Rail network.

The fibre optic cable will be installed utilising Cape’s Eco Plough machine, which Cape said utilised an efficient trenchless technique that minimising ground disturbance in environmentally sensitive areas.

Cape chief executive Peter Rowles said it was pleasing to see the JV continue to diversify its customer base.

“The KCU JV has been delivering sustaining capital and dewatering contracts in the Pilbara for the past five years, it has been satisfying to see the business continue to grow and diversify its customer base," he said.

The JV was established in 2015 and is currently registered with Supply Nation; it qualifies as a Pilbara Aboriginal Business.

Kurtarra was established in 2012, and is a 100 per cent aboriginal family owned company by the Jaffrey Sam family, who originate from the Palkyu area in the Pilbara.

Kurtarra provides Aboriginal recruitment and labour services as well as training, mentoring, coaching and pastoral care for Aboriginal employees.