Each week, RDA Pilbara compiles a weekly wrap of news that's important to industries and communities in the region and also the highlights of our activities on the ground.
Read on for what's been happening from July 28 to August 11 (two weeks for the price of one!).
Pilbara shows out on the national stage RDA Pilbara and a range of organisations and businesses from around the region enjoyed a fantastic opportunity to promote the Pilbara on the national stage at this week’s Showcase WA event at Parliament House in Canberra.
Showcase WA – this year hosted by Senator Louise Pratt and Ian Goodenough MP – provides a unique forum to take “the best of the West” to Canberra and highlight not only our State’s enormous current value to Australia but also what it can deliver in the future.
Chair Nerida Kickett and CEO Tony Simpson were delighted to engage with a wide range of significant stakeholders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Regional Development Kristy McBain, Senator Linda Reynolds, Senator Dean Smith and Nola Marino MP.
We were also very happy to assist a great local business in Ngurrangga Tours with their participation in the event.
Congratulations to all the businesses and organisations from the Pilbara which were part of Showcase WA and helped promote our wonderful region.
Big week for Pilbara Minerals On the subject of congratulations, it has been a very big fortnight for Pilbara Minerals.
Last week the company, which operates the Pilgangoora Project south of Port Hedland, announced a significant final investment decision for a demonstration plant in the Pilbara that will produce a midstream lithium enriched product.
On Tuesday night Pilbara Minerals was part of Showcase WA in Canberra, and then on Wednesday night it was awarded the coveted Digger of the Year Award at the Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Well played!
Landmark electricity agreement for the Pilbara Some very pleasing news last week, with Minister for Energy Bill Johnston announcing the Pilbara Industry Roundtable had agreed on common use electricity infrastructure in the region, recognising the importance of supporting increased use of renewable energy. The roundtable includes representatives from Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue, Roy Hill, Woodside Energy, Horizon Power, Alinta Energy, TransAlta, bp, The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, ATCO, MacQuarie Group, and the Pilbara Independent System Operator Company. The group met four times in the past year to oversee a works program modelling future electricity demand scenarios, examining land tenure arrangements and focussing on empowering local Aboriginal people.
More details: https://bit.ly/43VKitE
Big Japanese investment in offshore project A significant piece of mid-week news - and one that highlights the global relevance of our region - was LNG Japan's decision to buy into the Scarborough gas field project being developed by Woodside Energy.
Energy security is always front of mind for Japan, which is also seeking to meet its emissions reduction targets. Low carbon LNG produced off the Pilbara is one way in which it is tackling this balance.
In addition to a 10 per cent stake in the project, an agreement has also been struck between LNG Japan and Woodside for the sale and purchase of 12 LNG cargoes per year for 10 years starting 2026.
Read more: https://reut.rs/3KxP49R
Major economic conference heads to Karratha
There’s now only three weeks to go until the National Economic Development Conference is held at the Red Earth Arts Precinct in Karratha.
The event has attracted some great national and international speakers and the conference theme is one that will resonate with many people in the Pilbara: "The evolution of value - the future of economies." RDA Pilbara is proud to be a sponsor of the event and a member of Economic Development Australia.
More details: https://bit.ly/3DHxo7O
Finish line in sight for Guy’s epic quest More than 75 days and nearly 5000km of running will come to fruition this weekend when Guy Schweitzer finally makes it to Brisbane.
Guy, as you might recall, set off in late May from Spoilbank Marina, where the company of which he is a director – MGN Civil – has been undertaking contract work.
Now Guy’s remarkable bid to run home the hard way (as he notes, “is there an easy way?”) looks set to be completed over the next few days.
RDA Pilbara congratulates Guy on his brilliant effort and regular Facebook updates. We hope the first post-run beer tastes good!
You can follow Guy’s travels at Home Run: https://bit.ly/3OYzzLo
