Onsite wins $30m Rio contract

Rio Tinto has awarded a contract of about $30 million to Onsite Rental Group for the provision of ancillary and light mobile equipment over the next three years.

In a statement, Rio said the equipment would support maintenance activities across its Pilbara iron ore mines and coastal operations, and included access platforms, telehandlers, lighting towers and generators.

It said Onsite had committed to provide local employment opportunities, boost indigenous engagement, deliver apprenticeships and training, as well as establish diversity programs.

Onsite is established in the Pilbara and will provide on the ground support to Rio through offices in Karratha, Tom Price, Newman, Port Hedland, and Perth.

Rio Tinto iron ore managing director of supply chain services, Ivan Vella, congratulated Onsite for winning the contract.

“Onsite is committed to employing local people and will provide ongoing training and development for their Pilbara-based employees,” Mr Vella said.

“Rio Tinto’s procurement practices, and those of our contractors, play a significant role in the creation of sustainable and resilient communities, including job opportunities for local people, which ultimately benefits the communities where we operate.”

Onsite managing director Mike Foureur said the company planned to increase local employment, particularly for service technicians based out of Newman and Tom Price, to service the contract.

“Our relationship with Rio Tinto is long standing and we are excited to build on this foundation, through a collaborative and cohesive partnership approach,” he said.

“We will work closely with Rio Tinto to align, commit and grow local content and Indigenous participation through partnering and supplier opportunities within the Pilbara region.”

Today, Rio also released drilling results from its Winu copper discovery in the East Pilbara.

“Results continue to indicate relatively wide intersections of vein style copper mineralisation associated with gold and silver beneath relatively shallow cover which ranges from 50 to 100 metres,” it said.