Mineral Resources (MinRes) has long established itself as one of Australia's leading mining and services companies. Founded in 1993, the company has built a strong reputation for innovation, operational excellence and delivering large-scale projects that contribute to the nation's economic development.
Today, MinRes' mining services and commodities businesses are also driving Indigenous engagement and economic empowerment. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Onslow Iron project, a transformative initiative in Western Australia's Pilbara region that has placed Traditional Owner-led businesses at its core.
MinRes' Onslow Iron project underpins the company's transition to low-cost, long-life iron ore operations and harnesses in-house innovation to unlock stranded iron ore deposits in the West Pilbara region. The project harnesses MinRes-led innovation, including modular crushers, jumbo road trains and shallow-draft transhippers to transport iron ore 150 kilometres from Ken's Bore mine site to the port of Ashburton. Onslow Iron successfully delivered its first ore on ship in May 2024 and it is now ramping up production to 35 million tonnes per year.
The success of Onslow Iron has been supported by deep partnerships with local Indigenous suppliers. These businesses are not only providing critical services, they are also shaping the project's legacy through job-creation, long-term capability-building and economic empowerment. By integrating Indigenous-owned enterprises across its supply chain, MinRes is demonstrating how the resource sector can encourage generational change in Indigenous communities.
MinRes has taken a deliberate and strategic approach to fostering Indigenous business partnerships, ensuring these relationships go beyond symbolic agreements. The company has embedded Indigenous procurement into its broader operational strategy, actively working with Traditional Owner businesses to create sustainable and long-term economic opportunities.
MinRes managing director Chris Ellison has made it clear that empowering Indigenous Australians is a corporate priority.
"We are dedicated to the economic empowerment of Indigenous Australians, offering opportunities for training, employment, procurement and business development support," Ellison says.
"It's important to have Traditional Owners working on the land where they are from, to share their knowledge and capabilities, build employment opportunities within the community and provide business-critical services."
This commitment has led to tangible results. In FY24, MinRes engaged 44 active Indigenous suppliers and had a total Indigenous business spend of $68.4 million, a 185 per cent increase from the previous financial year. This surge in engagement has provided opportunities for Traditional Owner businesses across a wide range of services, from civil construction to vehicle maintenance and facilities management.
"Our success is only possible with the support of the people and businesses who provide vital services to keep our business running," says Ellison. "We have positively impacted the local community through direct employment, skill creation and the growth in Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners."
"In turn, the Indigenous businesses that have supported our projects, such as Onslow Iron, have made a huge impact on our success."
MinRes proudly partners with businesses from Robe River Kuruma and Thalanyji, the Traditional Owners of the lands where Onslow Iron operates, to drive the ongoing success of the project.
Looking to the future, Onslow Iron is just one example of how MinRes is integrating Indigenous businesses into its operations. The success of this model demonstrates the tangible benefits of genuine Indigenous engagement.
As Ellison says: "Working with Indigenous businesses can have a generational impact by building expertise and skills that can be transferred across other industries."
For Onslow Iron and beyond, these partnerships are not just about today's operations. They are also laying the foundation for Indigenous economic empowerment for decades to come.
