More than 80 per cent of spending on the Eliwana iron ore project has been through local contractors, Fortescue Metals Group said today, while Premier Mark McGowan announced a major approval had been fast tracked to enable the mine to be completed on schedule.
Fortescue said about $1 billion of contracts had been awarded to Australian and Western Australian businesses so far, more than 90 per cent of all work contracted.
WA’s share was significant, at about 82 per cent of all work contracted.
The total project cost is expected to come in at $US1.3 billion.
Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said the company was thankful for the state government’s support.
“We would like to thank the WA government for its support of this important project which will create jobs and make a significant contribution to the State and nation’s economy,” she said.
“As a proud Western Australian company, we are pleased to provide opportunities for local small and medium sized businesses and in turn drive economic growth and employment across the state through our strong focus on local content.
“From the outset, it was Fortescue’s vision to ensure communities benefit from our success and we believe procurement is a powerful lever for driving positive social and economic outcomes.
“Importantly, we are proud to support Aboriginal participation in the resources sector, with the Eliwana project awarding 19 contracts worth a total of $A25.5 million to Aboriginal contractors as part of our pioneering Billion Opportunities program.”
Mr McGowan said a special rail licence had been granted for the project, which would allow Fortescue to begin hiring to build the Eliwana railway immediately.
About 143 kilometres of railway track will be laid for the project, with up to 720 people to be employed for construction.
Mr McGowan inspected fabrication of rail bridge girders by Pacific Industrial Company in Naval Base this morning.
About 100 people are employed at Pacific on the project.
First ore from Eliwana is expected on trains from the end of the year.
