Mining News
Mining giant BHP awards C$260M worth of local contracts at its Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan
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(Kitco News) - Global mining giant BHP announced today that as construction progresses at its Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan, Canada, the company has awarded three new contracts in partnership with local First Nation communities.
The company said the three and a half year contracts - covering its camp management, site services and raw ore/handling foundation - are valued at over CAD$260 million, and will support more than 400 local jobs with over 50% planned to be Indigenous.
BHP added that the contracts include representation from the six First Nations surrounding the Jansen site, with whom BHP has Opportunity Agreements in place.
"Since sanctioning Jansen Stage 1 in August 2021, a total of CAD$470 million in contracts have been awarded to Indigenous businesses in the region," the company said in a news release. "The Opportunity Agreements were first developed in 2012. These were the first of their kind and aim to create long term mutual benefit for BHP and First Nation communities."
"The agreements enhance our mutual capacity and are a way that industry can forge new relationships with Indigenous Peoples to create local employment, business opportunities and build the skills and capabilities of local residents," it added.
"Across our operations, it is our ambition to create long-term relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on trust and mutual benefit – and these contract awards demonstrate this ambition in action," shared Vandita Pant, Chief Commercial Officer. "By integrating local suppliers and Indigenous businesses into our supply chain we are working hand-in-hand with First Nation partners to build long-term positive outcomes for communities and for BHP."
BHP also noted that as it moves towards operations at Jansen, the company is working with First Nation Opportunity Agreement partners, and other Indigenous groups to identify jobs and skillsets it will require long term at Jansen.
The company said that production is expected to commence at Jansen in late 2026, "delivering 4.35 million tonnes of potash a year to customers around the world producing the nutrient-rich fertilizers required to address a growing population, constraints on agricultural land and evolving diets."
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