Rio Tinto's Amrun Project recognised at Queensland Mining Awards

Rio Tinto has been recognised at the 2018 Queensland Mining Awards for its commitment to sustainable Aboriginal employment and delivery of a world-class engineering project at its A$2.6 billion Amrun bauxite development on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland.

Rio Tinto’s Amrun Project was announced winner of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) category for its commitment to sustaining local Aboriginal employment on the Western Cape and recognised as a finalist in the Collaboration category at a gala awards dinner in Mackay last night.

Rio Tinto Amrun Project general manager Marcia Hanrahan said "I am proud the Amrun Project has been recognised in these two diverse categories, confirming our commitment to providing ongoing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and remaining at the cutting edge of innovation."  

The Amrun Project brings a unique approach to EEO with an aim to create connection, build confidence, and enhance the innate capability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees during project execution and beyond.

Since project’s inception in 2016 over 300 Indigenous people, including over 100 local Aboriginal people, have been employed at the site.

Rio Tinto has a long history of partnering with Traditional Owners on Cape York through three Aboriginal Agreements, and has developed strong relationships with host communities.

In the Collaboration category, the Amrun Project was acknowledged for a cross-organisational partnership that has revolutionised the design and construction of wharf infrastructure, paving the way for future projects not just in Australia but globally.

Designed by Jacobs, and constructed within 12 months by McConnell Dowell with construction input and  oversight by Bechtel, Rio Tinto has a state-of-the-art facility that has been delivered safely, efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.

The construction of the facility moved away from a traditional stick build to a modularised design, a first-of-its-kind innovation reducing the risks of constructing over water in a remote location. The solution saved more than 300,000 job hours and halved the overall build time.

The design also reduced the number of permanent piles required to be installed from 100 to 28, minimising the environmental impact to marine life in the area, a key focus for the Amrun Project.

The Queensland Mining Awards are held bi-annually and designed to recognise project excellence and achievements unique to the highly competitive work environment of mining industry contractors.

Awards winners are recognised for the quality outcomes they provide to mining, exploration and production companies, as well as for their commitment to innovation and the delivery of projects that are safer, smarter, faster and more efficient.