Employee standing safely next to HME at Gove Operations

Sustainable procurement

Local, diverse and sustainable procurement

We work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy everywhere we work. As part of this, we strive to buy local products and engage local services.

Our mining operations are a broad ecosystem, and we need a broad and diverse range of suppliers – from Indigenous businesses to local and small enterprises – to support them.

It’s vital our operations contribute to the local communities they are part of because a strong local economy helps create a strong local community.

We have a choice about what and where we purchase. Through procurement initiatives, we help create jobs for local residents and new opportunities for local businesses – including the opportunity to supply us with goods and services. 

In 2023 in Australia, we spent $725 million with Indigenous businesses across Australia, including Traditional Owner businesses, an increase of 28% from 2022. 

We also increased our spend with local and Indigenous businesses in Canada and the US. In 2023, we spent more than $190 million with Indigenous suppliers in North America.

A closer look at Indigenous and local procurement in Australia

Indigenous and local procurement in Australia

Contributing to a shared future

But it is much more than numbers – it’s about our impact on the people in the community in which we operate. We are focused on contributing to a shared future and positive legacy by developing lasting relationships with people and learning about and supporting their goals and aspirations.

We work to maximise the benefits our company and its work delivers to the communities that host us. By partnering with local suppliers, we can stimulate local economies and help local businesses grow and prosper.

 

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Local suppliers

Our Buy Local initiative helps businesses near our operations by partnering with local and Indigenous suppliers.

Meet some of the local businesses behind our operations

Hicks Civil and Mining

Based in Karratha, Western Australia, Hicks Civil and Mining has family at its heart.

“Our philosophy and vision for the business remains in the Pilbara – this is where the heart and soul of our family is, and where we started,” said Caitlin Hicks, Hicks Civil and Mining Director.

The business has grown from a small equipment hire business to servicing minor and major earthworks contracts. Founded by Ngarluma man Peter, the company strives to provide sustainable employment for local people and be a leading Aboriginal business in the region.

Supporting our suppliers

We are committed to maximising opportunities for businesses to be part of our supply chain. We want to make it easier for local suppliers to compete for contracts and, in turn, maximise local economic benefits. This includes helping strengthen the capability of local industry, so businesses can be more competitive in the procurement process.

We are part of those communities which are built on the back of local businesses. These businesses continue to innovate, adapt and grow to meet the changing needs of our operations. If we can support them to do that, then we’re doing it right and meeting our commitments.

Navah loves her job providing support to Indigenous and local suppliers in the Pilbara region.

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