It's been a relationship a decade in the making for the Kurtarra Cape Joint Venture and Fortescue, one that has grown in significance.

KCU has recently undertaken a capital program enabling Kurtarra to embed critical equipment within the partnership.This was made possible by the strong relationship with Cape and Fortescue's Buriya Capital Funding Program.

Building on their existing partnership, Kurtarra's long term contract with Fortescue was extended to enable the purchase of new equipment including excavators, loaders and water trucks.

For Kurtarra, led by Palyku man Garry Jaffrey, the contract has provided stability to invest in people, strengthen systems, and help other Aboriginal businesses scale.

Formed to deliver civil and mining services in remote Western Australia, Kurtarra has evolved from its early roots into a business that now operates across the Pilbara and Kimberley, with growth plans extending nationally.

For Jaffrey and the Kurtarra team, the work is deeply personal. The business was established with a vision of bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together—working side by side to grow something meaningful and lasting.

That philosophy continues to guide the company's approach to workforce development, local engagement, and how it collaborates with clients on the ground.

Garry Jaffrey, Director KCU, said: "When we first secured the contract, it was a big step, but what's followed has been transformational."

"It gave us the confidence to grow the business in a way that stayed true to our values, enabling us to invest in our people, build internal capability, and create opportunities that make a real difference."

"The contract has matured into a partnership that's grounded in trust and shared purpose."

"We're now looking ahead to expanding into new regions and sectors, while continuing to support the communities we work in. For us, it's always been about more than machines. It's about legacy, leadership, and proving what's possible when Indigenous businesses are empowered to lead."

The contract with Fortescue has supported that journey—providing not only a solid pipeline of work, but a relationship grounded in mutual respect and long-term thinking.

Martin Drage, Senior Manager of Aboriginal Business Development at Fortescue said: "It's been a privilege to work with Garry and the Kurtarra team over the years, and it's been truly inspiring to watch them go from strength to strength."

"Great partnerships are much more than just a business deal, they're built on respect, a shared vision, and a genuine commitment to making a lasting impact."

"Through Fortescue's Billion Opportunities program, we're really proud to support First Nations businesses, like Kurtarra, to thrive and create meaningful legacies."

Today, Kurtarra is not only delivering on-site outcomes for one of Australia's major miners—it's creating a blueprint for how Indigenous enterprise can thrive when given the platform and the partnership to succeed. The results are measurable, the impact is local, and the story is far from over.