Warren Harris, Fortescue’s Senior Project Manager Eliwana Iron Ore Projects, said the company was forecasting 2500 construction jobs over two years, with about 90 per cent of its spend to be with Australian entities.

“So there is a lot of opportunities there,” he told about 200 supplier representatives at CCI’s latest WA Works Sundowner.

Harris expected Eliwana’s onsite construction workforce to peak at 1300 people in the first half of 2020.

“A big part of the project is developing opportunities and relationships with our contracting partners, our traditional custodians and the local communities that we’re working with,” he said.

The company had instigated a 15 per cent Aboriginal employment target along with a 15 percent “diversity” target.

He urged suppliers interested in work to use the resources of CCI’s Industry Connect Network WA, or ICN.

“The project has been and will continue to advertise all of our tenders and opportunities through the ICN Gateway (website),” Harris said.

“I really encourage everybody to use that process to express your interest in the project and, if you have contacts at FMG, to reach out to them,” he said.

Fortescue had started building roads, water infrastructure and a fly camp, and these early works would continue until late next year.

At that stage, the company would begin full construction activities on both rail and mine, leading to first ore on train in December 2020, he said.

Eliwana, about 90km from Tom Price, was approved in May and is Fortescue’s fifth Pilbara mine development.

It is also the company’s first big construction project under the guidance of new Chief Executive Elizabeth Gaines, who replaced Nev Power in February.

► WA Works subscribers were first to know about this sell-out sundowner and were able to get their tickets first. Subscribe to WA Works here for all your supply chain news.