Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) marks a new major milestone on its $1.7 billion Eliwana Mine and Rail Project in Western Australia with the approval of the project’s rail component as well as the grant of a Special Rail License.
The Special Rail License will allow for FMG to immediately begin hiring people to work on the Eliwana project, creating 600 to 720 new jobs over the next three months.
“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,” FMG Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines said.
To date, FMG has spent about 82 per cent of its project expenditure on contracts awarded to approximately 290 West Australian businesses and up to nine per cent to vendors across Australia.
In addition, about 19 contracts with a total value of $25.5 million has been awarded to Aboriginal contractors as part of FMG’s Billion Opportunities program.
“As a proud West 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,” Ms Gaines said.
The railway component of the Eliwana project is expected to create up to 1,120 jobs during construction and works will include the delivery of a 143-kilometre single track, standard gauge heavy haul railway as well as two bridges and an underpass for the Karratha-Tom Price Road.
The Naval Base by Pacific Industrial Company (PIC) is producing 2,600 tonnes of steel fabrication including 16 bridge modules - with a length of up to 46 metres long - for the two bridges. This alone creates opportunities for up to 100 local jobs and apprenticeships.
“We are pleased to have been awarded this significant contract for Fortescue’s Eliwana project, offering employment opportunities for 100 people including a number of apprentices during the fabrication period.
“The road and rail bridge girders are the biggest and heaviest ever constructed in WA and with all the steel manufactured and fabricated in Australia, it has enabled the industry to demonstrate the capacity and capability that exist here to undertake these sizable projects,” PIC Managing Director Marco Mosole said.
The project is due to be completed by December of this year and the railway is set to have an initial capacity of 30Mtpa.
The Eliwana Mine and Rail Project will help the State become a world leader in iron ore production.
“It’s outstanding to see the majority of the work on this mammoth $1.7 billion project happening right here in Western Australia.
“Eliwana is a huge project not only for Fortescue but for a lot of small to medium enterprises in Western Australia and for the 2,400 workers in total who are expected to get jobs out of it.
“This is one of a number of major projects coming online in the next few years, and another sign that confidence is returning to the State’s economy,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
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Source: Government of Western Australia; Fortescue Metals Group; Australian Mining