Yara Pilbara to boost local jobs

Up to 40 local jobs are expected to become available at the Yara Pilbara production plants on the Burrup in coming months under a new maintenance services contract with a WA-based engineering company.

Norwegian fertiliser giant Yara Pilbara entered into a five year contract with Clough AMEC earlier this month, which will encompass work in maintenance support, management services, supervision and trades at its ammonia plant and technical ammonium nitrate manufacturing plant in Dampier.

The core maintenance crew will be made up of residential workers rather than fly-in, fly-out staff.

A Clough AMEC spokesman said the Perth-based company was pleased to be awarded the contract, which would boost local job opportunities at Yara’s facilities.

“The size of the residential crew is expected to be between 35 and 40 people,” he said.

“We will also be working with local companies and suppliers to support the contract works.”

“Local involvement will also include opportunities for indigenous groups.”

Yara Pilbara general manager Chris Rijksen said the agreement was a further investment for the company into the local area.

“(The contract) means local jobs for Karratha, which underlines Yara Pilbara’s commitment to local development in Karratha, via a residential workforce for our Pilbara operations and a AUD$70 million local spend annually,” he said.

The maintenance services contract also has an option to extend for a further five years.