REMOTE MINES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Swift Access – Swift ’ s premium entertainment and engagement solution , powered by proprietary technology . This solution is developed specifically to enable a reliable service within low bandwidth environments .
The total contract value of both agreements for Carrapateena is A $ 1.4 million ($ 954,680 ) over the three-year subscription term .
Swift Access will allow OZ Minerals staff to cast their favourite streaming apps from their mobile device straight to their room ’ s TV , all while maintaining user privacy and offering smart device setup . It also allows management to improve efficiencies for facility staff , according to Swift .
As part of the agreement , Swift Access will provide OZ Minerals staff with Swift ’ s full content library including first-release movies and sectorspecific mental health and indigenous education resources . Swift Access also allows facility managers to easily upload and distribute site information such as inductions , health and safety messages and more , directly to TVs across the site .
The entire Swift Access experience is managed by Swift ’ s unique bandwidth management platform and includes support services over the three-year term , it said .
Swift CEO , Brian Mangano , says : “ This new contract continues the roll out of Swift Access to the mining industry and is another significant step in our goal to be the product of choice . We are excited to work together with OZ Minerals and look forward to creating new , innovative solutions to address the challenges of the FIFO lifestyle .”
The three-year , A $ 3.4 million pact with Mineral Resources , meanwhile , will see Swift service its nine mine sites with Swift Access .
Installation and upgrade work , which is in addition to the A $ 3.4 million subscription revenue , will be performed by Swift ’ s in-house infrastructure team across MinRes ’ portfolio on a site-by-site basis .
Swift Access will be installed in over 2,000 accommodation rooms and common areas at the sites , the company said .
Mangano added : “ For the past five years , Mineral Resources and Swift have enjoyed a strong partnership based on the mutual values of innovation and high-performance outcomes . MinRes was the first mining company to trial Swift Access at its Wonmunna camp in Western Australia earlier this year . This latest collaboration is a natural next step in Swift ’ s mission to assist MinRes in providing an outstanding workplace experience .”
Albemarle banks on Compass for workforce accommodation
Albemarle recently awarded a major contract to Compass Group Remote Hospitality Services as part of its expansion project at the Kemerton Lithium Hydroxide Processing Plant .
The tie-up will see Compass Group operate and maintain the Paris Grove workforce accommodation precinct in Australind , near Bunbury in Western Australia .
The A $ 140 million ($ 90 million ) Paris Grove village is now under construction and will provide accommodation during rosters for up to 800 people working on the A $ 2 billion expansion of Kemerton .
Albemarle says the contract to operate and maintain Paris Grove is valued at just under A $ 71 million and spans three years with extension provisions . Compass Group ’ s ESS Support Services Worldwide arm , which Albemarle says is highly experienced in operating modern workforce accommodation in a variety of settings in Western Australia and across Australia , will be responsible for the contract .
Around 70 people will be employed by the company on a rolling roster with the company seeking to employ as many local people as possible .
Albemarle ’ s Paris Grove Operations Manager , Grant Barrow , said the village was being developed as a sustainable , long-term accommodation precinct specifically to support the Kemerton plant expansion .
“ Paris Grove will be a modern , high-quality and purpose-built village accommodating around 800 rostered workers and taking pressure off existing rentals and short-term accommodation in the southwest ,” he said .
“ Albemarle is setting out to positively change the approach to village management and operations and Compass Group will help us implement a healthy and safe culture for our workers – in line with recommendations of the recent Western Australia Government resource sector inquiry .”
The village design is landscape-led and is being built by Grounded Construction Group . Compass Group ’ s ESS will roll out and maintain all on-site catering , accommodation , cleaning , security , health and lifestyle programs , grounds
The A $ 140 million Paris Grove village is now under construction and will provide accommodation during rosters for up to 800 people working on the A $ 2 billion expansion of Kemerton
services and facilities management . “ A local leading interior designer has also been working on the village dining area to be a harmonious backdrop to what will be diverse and rotating high quality menu , prepared in a stateof-the-art commercial grade kitchen ,” Barrow said .
“ Recreation facilities and personalised and group health and wellbeing programs , including fitness activities will be very important and Albemarle is working closely with Compass Group on a range of measures to support psychosocial health at Paris Grove .”
The Compass Group contract award follows the recent Albemarle announcement of two other major Kemerton expansion contracts including a A $ 330 million contract to UGL , part of the CIMIC Group , and a A $ 200 million-plus contract to Monadelphous .
Albemarle ’ s Kemerton Expansion Project will see construction of processing trains three and four with plant capacity set to double at full capacity to up to 100,000 t / y of lithium hydroxide .
Albemarle ’ s VP , Capital Projects Australia , Josh Rowan said the contracts were among the largest ever awarded by Albemarle and that the Compass Group / ESS Contract was the first workforce accommodation contract ever awarded by the company in Australia .
“ We are Australia ’ s largest producer and manufacturer of lithium and our Kemerton plant is about to get a whole lot bigger ,” Rowan said . “ Construction of trains 3 and 4 is set to create over 1,000 new jobs across all of our major contractors and Albemarle has recently launched an intensive three-month recruitment drive in support of our major Kemerton contractors .
“ We are particularly pleased that Compass Group is seeking to employ as many local people as possible to run and manage Paris Grove with the variety and flexibility of roles set to be very attractive to local job seekers .” IM
22 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2023