Mining giant BHP has awarded an $8 million contract to car hire company Cedrent Enterprises, partly owned by the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in the Pilbara.
Mining giant BHP has awarded an $8 million contract to car hire company Cedrent Enterprises, partly owned by the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in the Pilbara.
Indigenous-owned business Cedrent will provide light vehicle hire services for the miner’s employees at its Newman and Port Hedland operations under the three-year contract.
It will also provide rentals for BHP’s workers at the Olympic Dam in South Australia.
Adelaide-headquartered Cedrent operates through two entities, with its WA subsidiary half-owned by Yindjibarndi Wealth, an investment entity established for the Yindjibarndi people in Roebourne in the Pilbara.
Cedrent invests some of its profits into growth and development projects to benefit the Yindjibarndi community.
Its SA subsidiary is majority owned by the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation.
General manager Dan Walmsley said the contract was a significant milestone for Cedrent.
"This collaboration with BHP not only underscores our shared commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development but also fuels our efforts to create opportunities within the First Nations business sector,” he said.
“We’re also proud to be providing a portion of our profits to Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation in SA, or Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in WA, which are both devoted to giving back to their communities through programs that upskill youth, support local businesses, and create a growing demand for Indigenous goods and services.”
Last month, BHP released its sixth Reconciliation Action Plan outlining its target of spending $1.5 billion for procurement from Indigenous-owned businesses by 2027.
BHP head of global Indigenous procurement Chris Cowan said the miner was committed to doing more to build sustainable, profitable and enduring partnerships with Traditional Owner and Indigenous businesses across its operations.
“By selecting Cedrent’s services when hiring vehicles for work, our people will be supporting a business that creates opportunities for First Nations people, prioritising Indigenous community engagement, job creation and procurement,” he said.
“It’s the first time an Indigenous-owned business has been awarded a contract of this type with BHP, and we look forward to working together to help empower more Indigenous businesses and communities across Australia.”
