Kimberley Mineral Sands reveals ambitious Aboriginal employment target as final investment decision nears

An aspiring mineral sands miner in the Kimberley has set one of the nation’s most ambitious Aboriginal recruitment targets as it moves toward a final investment decision by the end of the year. Speaking at a Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry event on Tuesday night, Kimberley Mineral Sands chief executive Stuart Pether revealed the miner had signed a coexistence agreement to share benefits of the Thunderbird mine between Broome and Derby with traditional owners. Under that commitment the Sheffield and Yansteel-backed miner will aim for a 40 per cent Aboriginal workforce within its first eight years of operation. Mr Pether said KMS would work hard and have “honest conversations” with its partners to achieve that goal. “Some might say that is a bit aspirational but the way I describe it is it is like safety,” he said. “Everyone says we want zero harm, they don’t say let’s hurt three people a year. “The key thing for us is to be aware of what our targets are and being very focused on making the right decisions that enable that outcome.” The news comes as the Kimberley Land Council lobbies the State Government on lifting its own three per cent Aboriginal employment target. About 50 per cent of the Kimberley’s 36,500 residents identify as of Aboriginal descent, a figure KMS and KLC want to see reflected in the project’s employment make-up. KMS is currently conducting early site works, ordering long lead items and undertaking a definitive feasibility study into the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. From there, construction is tipped to commence in mid-2022 with first product ready to be shipped towards the end of 2023. Mr Pether on Tuesday night said it was likely KMS would have to fly-in some skilled workers, but the majority of its workforce would operate on a drive-in, drive-out basis from nearby Kimberley communities. About 450 people are expected to be employed during the two-year construction phase and close to 300 ongoing direct and contract jobs will be created by the time stage two development is complete. Mr Pether said the miner would support Broome and Derby, but one would ultimately see more activity from the project. “There’s only one gold medal at every Olympics and someone has to win, but we are very conscious that... we need to support both communities,” he said. Yansteel in March paid $130m to acquire a 50 per cent stake in the project.