WA Government has granted Special Rail License for construction and operation of the Eliwana railway, with A$1 billion in contracts awarded as part of Fortescue Metals Group’s (Fortescue) Eliwana Mine and Rail Project (Eliwana).

Fortescue’s railway

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines, Chief Operating Officer Greg Lilleyman and Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan visited the facilities of Pacific Industrial Company (PIC) in Kwinana, where over 2600 tonnes of fabricated structural steel is being manufactured into rail and road bridge girder modules for Eliwana.

During the visit, the Premier announced the grant of the Special Rail License for the construction and operation of the Eliwana railway.

“We would like to thank the WA Government for its support of this important project which will create jobs and make a significant contribution to the State and nation’s economy,” Ms Gaines said.

In line with Fortescue’s commitment to supporting local procurement, 82 per cent of project expenditure to date has been awarded to around 290 West Australian businesses, with a further nine per cent with vendors across Australia.

“As a proud West Australian company, we are pleased to provide opportunities for local small and medium sized businesses and in turn drive economic growth and employment across the State through our strong focus on local content,” Ms Gaines said.

“From the outset, it was Fortescue’s vision to ensure communities benefit from our success and we believe procurement is a powerful lever for driving positive social and economic outcomes.

“Importantly, we are proud to support Aboriginal participation in the resources sector, with the Eliwana project awarding 19 contracts worth a total of A$25.5 million to Aboriginal contractors as part of our pioneering Billion Opportunities program.”

PIC Managing Director Marco Mosole said the Company was pleased to have been awarded this significant contract for Fortescue’s Eliwana project, which will offer employment opportunities for “100 people including a number of apprentices during the fabrication period”.

“The road and rail bridge girders are the biggest and heaviest ever constructed in WA and with all the steel manufactured and fabricated in Australia, it has enabled the industry to demonstrate the capacity and capability that exist here to undertake these sizable projects,” Mr Mosole said.

Source:  www.fmgl.com.au/