Article by Tom Zaunmayr, courtesy of Business News
Pilbara miner Rio Tinto spent more than $10 billion with Western Australian suppliers last year as it ramped up work on its iron ore sustaining projects.
Pilbara miner Rio Tinto spent more than $10 billion with Western Australian suppliers last year as it ramped up work on its tranche of iron ore sustaining projects.
Rio on Friday revealed it had increased local spending by $1.5b to $10.3b last year, largely attributable to machinery and earthworks contracts for the US$2b (3.1b) Western Range mine which is due to open by mid-2025.
NRW Holdings’ Primero, Civmec, and Thiess Group’s MACA are among large WA firms to win works at that project.
Rio registered a 30 per cent increase to its spend with Aboriginal businesses in 2024, up to $769 million. More than $529m was spent with businesses run by traditional owners in the Pilbara.
Some $969m was spent by Rio Tinto with businesses in the Pilbara.
Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Simon Trott said the company was committed to sharing its success with local communities.
“Rio Tinto has been in Western Australia for almost 60 years, and we remain committed to sharing our success with the communities where we operate,” he said.
“We’re proud to partner with local businesses to create jobs and strengthen regional communities, ensuring benefits flow to everyone, be it the corner coffee shop owner, local manufacturers or the football team thriving with community sponsorship.”
The supplier spending numbers were released as Rio on Thursday night named Winyama Contracting Group as its WA supplier of the year.
Winyama is a majority traditional owner-held business in Karratha led by Ngarluma man Arthur Ramirez.
The company is a Rio supplier and last year won a $30m contract at Woodside’s Pluto LNG expansion project which enabled it to increase its size to about 200 staff.
“Our mission is to create meaningful value for our clients while delivering lasting benefits to the communities we serve,” Mr Ramirez said.
“Our continued partnership with Rio Tinto, built on shared values, reflects our commitment to making a positive impact—caring for Country and its people to ensure a better future for the next generation.”
Winyama is the seventh largest Aboriginal business in Western Australia, according to Data & Insights.
Wabtec, Bridgestone Mining Solutions, Pilbara Rail Maintenance, Curtin and British Colombia universities, McDonald Surveys, Gemco Rail and QRRS, and Indiji-Corp were the other winners on Thursday night.
WA Premier Roger Cook said it was great to see Rio Tinto investing in Western Australian businesses.