BHP, Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan.
These First Nations will begin contract production operations in 2016.
BHP has announced that it has awarded three new contracts in partnership with local First Nations communities for the construction of its Saskatchewan potash development project.
The camp management, service site and raw ore/base management contracts include representation from the six First Nations surrounding the Janssen site with whom BHP has access agreements.
The agreements, established in 2012, are one way the industry can forge new relationships with Indigenous Peoples to develop local businesses, business opportunities and the skills and capabilities of local populations.
“Throughout all our operations, our ambition is to create long-term relationships with indigenous peoples, based on trust and mutual benefit, and these contract awards demonstrate this ambition by doing so,” said Commercial Director Vandita Pant.
“By integrating local suppliers and indigenous companies into our supply chain, we will work together with our First Nations partners to deliver positive long-term results for communities and for BHP.”
About contracts, services and works
The three-and-a-half-year contract is valued at more than C$260 million ($187.8 million) and will support more than 400 local jobs, with more than 50% expected to be indigenous.
Since Jansen Stage 1 was approved in August 2021, contracts totaling C$470 million ($339.5 million) have been awarded to indigenous companies in the region, the miner said.
The camp management contract was awarded to Wicehtowak Frontec Services, a joint venture between ATCO Frontec Ltd. and George Gordon Development Ltd. A joint venture was first created in 2011 as a 50-50 partnership to support the construction of Discovery Lodge. and to-day it has accompanied many native owners.
The site service and raw ore/base management contract was awarded to 2Nations Bird, a new partnership between Bird Construction Inc., Beardy and Okemasis Cree Nation Willow Cree Development General Partners Inc., and Fishing Lake First Nation Development Corporation, FLFN Ventures. 2Bird will work with KDM Builders, which represents the Kawakatoose, Day Star and Muskowekwan nations, as well as George Gordon Development Ltd, the economic development arm of George Gordon First Nation.
“Indian and industrial partnerships such as these create employment and economic opportunities for our nation and its members,” said Chief Ananas of the Beardy & Okemasis’ Cree Nation. “It also allows us to develop our abilities, we learn from each other and come together as one.” More importantly, these types of relationships are fundamental to a progressive economic reconciliation, which will allow us to achieve meaningful, sustainable and long-term results.
Operations at Jansen are expected to begin in late 2026, and BHP is working with other Indigenous groups to identify jobs and skills and has partnered with local organizations in Saskatchewan to provide pre-apprenticeship programs to help raise awareness of opportunities in the arts and prepare people. . the arts necessary for the mining industry.
“Through these programs, we hope to attract more people to pursue a career in mining, especially women and indigenous people from the region,” said the miners.
