Equipment handovers are common, albeit usually low-key affairs for leading Cat® dealer WesTrac.
But a ceremony at WesTrac’s South Guildford facility on Thursday (4 Aug) held special meaning for the stakeholders involved.
Indigenous contracting business Civil Road & Rail SX5, part of the broader SX5 Group of companies, will use the new Cat D10T2 Dozer for mine rehabilitation services at Rio Tinto’s mine sites in the Pilbara.
According to SX5 directors Ralph and Cherie Keller, and co-director and Eastern Guruma senior elder Kenzie Smith, the act of rehabilitating the land has grown in significance over recent years.
“We’re making things green again, making Country feel better,” Ralph said.
“In repairing Country, we’re helping repair the trust and relationships with the region’s Traditional Owners.”
As well as being among the Traditional Owners of the land, Kenzie Smith’s family have had a long history of helping modern enterprises utilise and rehabilitate the land. The family once helped muster cattle on the stations in the region and was permitted to gather any stock left behind to sell themselves. SX5 was the brand applied to those stray cattle before they were taken to market. That set the family on an entrepreneurial path that resulted in Kenzie helping to establish and run SX5’s contracting business.
WesTrac General Manager Cameron Callaway said miners, as well as their suppliers and service providers, understood the vital importance of engaging with the Traditional Owners on whose country they operate to ensure continual improvement in environmental, social and governance outcomes.
“The world needs miners to supply the mineral resources required for a more sustainable future, and that means we need to support sustainable mining initiatives,” Cameron said.
“Drawing on the knowledge of Traditional Owners and the expertise of knowledgeable, experienced Indigenous organisations such as SX5 is a key aspect of that, and it’s especially rewarding for WesTrac to be involved in projects such as this.”
The Cat D10T2 is a key part of that sustainability story, with onboard technologies to drive greater efficiency, productivity and fuel economy, as well as improved operator safety and comfort. The D10T2 is also equipped with the building blocks to enable remote and semi-autonomous operations.
Ralph Keller says technology has been key to SX5’s success, and support from Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) has made it possible for the group to continue to purchase equipment with the latest machine control technologies.
“What makes us different is that SX5 continues to reinvent itself every day,” he said.
“It’s all about technology. That’s how you achieve excellence and how you mitigate risk.”
IBA, a commercially focused Federal Government organisation, supports First Nations businesses with cashflow and performance bond guarantees to enable business growth.
“Putting the regeneration of Country back in the hands of First Nations companies like SX5 is smart business and we’re so glad to support their efforts,” says Kirsty Moore, IBA’s Chief Executive Officer.
“IBA provides leasing opportunities to First Nations businesses so they can acquire critical capital equipment without tying up large amounts of cash that is needed to cover the operating costs of the business. The new equipment has stepped up the production and quality of work that the business has been able to achieve by using equipment that is purpose-built for the task.
“SX5 is a great example of a First Nations business transforming its opportunities to work with big business – all while restoring Country and being trained in new technology.”
Martin Roedhammer, Rio Tinto Manager Rehabilitation and Closure said: “We work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy everywhere we work. As part of this, we strive to generate opportunities for businesses to be part of our supply chain and deliver local economic benefits.
“Rio Tinto has worked with SX5 for more than seven years to support and develop the group’s capacity and understanding of our requirements and facilitate introductions across our Pilbara operations.
“A credit to SX5 is the business’ ability to think of ways to increase efficiency and get the best quality outcomes, trialling the use of chains to improve final surface finishes and modifying equipment to achieve improved vegetation establishment.
“We look forward to a continued successful relationship with SX5 and witnessing them grow even more in the future.”
Marissa Taddeo
marissa @ hellospoke [dot] com.au
0401 019 885
Emily Evans
emily @ hellospoke [dot] com.au
0401 337 959
As one of the largest authorised Cat equipment dealers in the world, WesTrac provides customers with a wide range of machinery and construction equipment as well as comprehensive whole-of-life management solutions designed to make owning and operating equipment as easy, profitable and safe as possible.
With more than 4,500 team members, WesTrac is dedicated to creating and delivering outstanding value for our team, customers, shareholders and the community. We are committed to excellence and are focused on long-term customer relationships and a dedication to customer service, safety, quality and the environment.
Community involvement is an important part of the WesTrac philosophy, and we are proud to support local activities, events and charities in the regions we are based.
As part of Seven Group Holdings Ltd, WesTrac also has strong alliances with other leading Australian businesses, including Seven West Media, Coates Hire and SITECH.
