Centrals CEM has been awarded two major contracts from miner MMG Golden Grove – creating at least 40 new jobs for the Mid West region.
The Geraldton-based civil, earthmoving and mining contractor expects to invest around $8 million on site to service the works.
Centrals CEM Managing Director Craig Patterson was delighted the company’s capabilities allowed it to secure the contracts in the face of strong competition from across the country.
“We were up against four companies from Western Australia and one from inter-state,” he said.
“Central CEM has a long-standing relationship with MMG and has provided site services to Golden Grove for more than 11 years and it is through MMG’s continued support that we are in the position today to tender for such work.”
“The new contracts will see Centrals CEM move into underground haulage and the awarded work will also cover road maintenance and ROM (run of mine) crusher feed.”
MMG Golden Grove General Manager Pierre Malan said these contracts were awarded through a competitive tender process that is aligned with MMG’s commitment to delivering local employment and business support opportunities.
On top of creating numerous new jobs for Centrals CEM, the contracts secure the positions of 35 existing Central staff tied to MMG work.
A recruitment drive is underway to fill the new vacancies, with Centrals CEM focused on sourcing staff from WA’s Mid West.
“We will operate FIFO to the mine site out of Geraldton and Perth,” said Mr Patterson.
“Centrals CEM is committed to Indigenous employment, with 20 per cent of our current staff onsite coming from the Indigenous community. The awards will also allow Centrals CEM to both continue and extend its support for MMG Golden Grove’s Bayalgu Indigenous Pre-employment Training Program.”
The Bayalgu program provides Indigenous Australians with a range of entry-level work readiness skills and competencies to enter the resources, civil construction and associated service industries.
MMG Golden Grove General Manager Pierre Malan said the MMG Bayalgu Indigenous Training Program is actively enhancing employment opportunities for Indigenous people in the Mid West region.
“Through the Golden Grove Bayalgu program, we are able to improve Indigenous representation in employment in WA’s Mid West region, while also addressing the projected skills shortages and resources industry growth,” he said.
“Since 2006, the Program has presented work readiness and employment transition opportunities to 66 Mid West youth, with approximately 90 per cent of trainees who complete the Program securing employment.”
Each of the contracts awarded to Centrals CEM is for a three-year term, with options to extend. Work is set to commence immediately.
MMG Golden Grove is an underground base and precious metals mine that produces concentrates of zinc, copper and lead/precious metals. The mine is located approximately 450 kilometres north-east of Perth and 280 kilometres east of Geraldton in Western Australia.
MMG is a member of the Minmetals Resources Limited (MMR) group of companies, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.