Our 2023 graduates travelled to the Pilbara this month, for exciting opportunity to see first-hand, the importance of the region to WA’s economy.
The 2-day familiarisation tour, hosted by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, brought together graduates from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Department of Treasury WA.
After touching down in Karratha, the cohort visited Yara Pilbara Fertiliser plant, one of the largest ammonia-production sites in the world.
Ngajarli Gorge was a particular highlight, with the graduates given a guided tour of incredible rock art stretching back 47,000 thousand years.
Activities continued with a trip to Rio Tinto’s Dampier Port, observing iron ore operations and Australia's largest privately owned rail network. The major infrastructure expansion was completed in 2015 aiming to increase the capacity of Cape Lambert port, as well as rail, power and fuel supply and development of town facilities.
The graduates concluded their first day with a town tour of Karratha and a networking function at the Karratha International Hotel, connecting with various stakeholders in the region.
Day 2 started bright and early, with the group visiting Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) Christmas Creek Mine.
The graduates witnessed Fortescue’s initial testing of the first ever hydrogen fuel-cell powered coaches, as part of the WA Government’s $2m investment.
They were also given a glimpse of Alinta Energy's 120-hectare Chichester Solar Farm. Comprising of 160,000 modules, the electricity generated from the plant offsets 100,000 tonne of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
The tour concluded with a visit to Roy Hill’s mine, which recently celebrated 10-years of production and is undergoing a transition to become the world’s largest single autonomous mine.
Returning to Perth, this experience provided graduates with a greater understanding of the resources sector and its impact on the state, which they can take forward as they continue their journey in the public service.
