The new Bunuba Trainee Program is ongoing in West Kimberley as part of the Western Australian Government’s plan to rehabilitate the Ellendale mining lease.
According to the State Government, the Indigenous trainee program, delivered by local Bunuba and Indigenous people, will create a genuine job pathway through an on-country training effort.
The traineeships are part of an earthworks contract issued by the State Government to Buru Rehab, an indigenous company specialising in mine rehabilitation services in Western Australia.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston stated that the Bunuba Trainee Program provides Aboriginal people an excellent opportunity to receive local training, skills, and career prospects.
“Supporting regional jobs across Western Australia is a priority for the Cook Government as it encourages people to stay and support their local communities,” Minister Johnston said.
Buru Rehab plans to hire at least 12 trainees in groups of four, with the earthworks to be completed over the following three dry seasons. This phase of the project will address several site areas currently experiencing erosion.
The company’s efforts will build on the successful completion of safety works at Ellendale in 2022. This comprised the removal of all obsolete infrastructure and equipment and the disposal of all waste materials at suitably licenced facilities.
Ellendale Mine was declared abandoned in December 2015. The Mine Rehabilitation Fund of the State Government is funding the continuing landform stabilisation project.
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation, and Safety has been working to make the site safe for new tenement holders and anybody else who may access the area.
“As part of its oversight of the Ellendale mining lease, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety consulted a range of stakeholders including Aboriginal interests, local government, tenement holders and pastoralists,” Minister Johnston added.
