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Rio Tinto awards $61m conveyer pulley supply contract to Camco Engineering and PROK Conveyor Equipment

Alexander ScottPilbara News
PROK's Wade Guelfi, Rio Tinto's Simon Richmond and Camco's Frank Fusco.
Camera IconPROK's Wade Guelfi, Rio Tinto's Simon Richmond and Camco's Frank Fusco. Credit: Supplied/Rio Tinto/Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto has awarded two contracts worth a combined $61 million for the supply of new conveyor pulleys and pulley rebuilds that will see a purpose-built facility established in Karratha.

The mining giant announced on August 15 it had awarded contracts to Camco Engineering and PROK Conveyor Equipment, with Rio expected to purchase about 30 new conveyor pulleys and carry out 300 off-site repairs every year for five years.

The pulleys are used in conveyor belt systems to transport iron ore within and from the mine systems to Rio Tinto’s processing and port facilities in the Pilbara.

As part of the contracts, Camco will construct a Karratha based facility which is scheduled to be built and operational by August 2023, while PROK’s current Newman facility will further expand to accommodate the increased volume.

The contracts will also focus on local and Indigenous employment, with both suppliers having a 15 per cent target for Indigenous employment.

Rio Tinto vice-president global procurement Simon Richmond said through these contracts Rio was prioritising local residential employment, supporting pathways for Indigenous workers and young apprentices in the region.

“We estimate that every dollar we spend with suppliers such as Camco and PROK could generate an additional $2 for the Pilbara community through jobs, training and opportunities for local businesses,” he said.

“By supporting the establishment of this new, purpose-built pulley facility in Karratha, we expect to improve safety and reduce our environmental impact by removing an estimated 45 transport trucks from our roads each year.”

Camco managing director Jonathan Wigley said the development of a brand new 16,000sqm site with a state-of-the-art heavy engineering facility at the Gap Ridge Industrial Estate will be the cornerstone for the provision of engineering services by Camco in the Pilbara.

PROK general manager Wade Guelfi said he looked forward to seeing this contract’s social and economic benefits to the Pilbara.

The partnerships are expected to create 46 local jobs and the potential to deliver up to $120m in social investment to the local communities with both Camco and PROK are targeting a 100 per cent residential employee base.

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