Majority Indigenous-owned Wicehtowak Frontec Services to
support BHP Jansen Discovery Lodge
CALGARY, AB and
SASKATOON, SK, March 9,
2023 /CNW/ - ATCO Ltd. (TSX: ACO.X) (TSX:
ACO.Y)
BHP has awarded Wicehtowak Frontec Services (WFS), a
joint-venture partnership between ATCO Frontec Ltd. and George
Gordon Developments Ltd. (GGDL), a multi-year, base contract of
approximately CAD$86M to provide camp
support services at its BHP Jansen Discovery Lodge in Saskatchewan beginning April 2023.
BHP is investing CAD$7.5 billion
to build Jansen Stage 1, which will be one of the world's most
sustainable potash mines, located 140 km from Saskatoon. Jansen Stage 1 is expected to
produce approximately 4.35 million tonnes of potash per year, with
the first production planned for late 2026.
ATCO and George Gordon First Nation are proud to carry on their
decade-long collaboration. Work began together in 2011 as a 50-50
joint venture and today WFS is a majority Indigenous-owned company.
The current contract will support approximately 130 local jobs with
70 per cent planned to be Indigenous.
BHP's Discovery Lodge, originally designed and built in 2012 by
ATCO Structures, features diverse, high-end amenities, and
accommodates up to 2,500 workers. WFS will provide management and
administration, food services, programming, housekeeping and
janitorial, and maintenance work for the facility.
"This contract will help address poverty, as our community will
have equitable access to sustainable long-term employment,
training, and education. We are looking forward to working
collaboratively with our partners," said Chief Byron Bitternose, George Gordon First
Nation.
"This award presents incredible opportunities for our Nation
members and surrounding communities for employment, skills
development, procurement and subcontracting that can be ongoing,"
said Glen Pratt, CEO, George Gordon
Developments.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to grow our business in Saskatchewan and work with GGDL
on this project," said Jim Landon,
President, ATCO Frontec. "Our aim is to deliver the highest quality
service and safety for the camp residents, and we will implement
training and development programs for Indigenous employees in the
hospitality industry."
"BHP is thrilled to announce the partnership with WFS for our
camp support services and embark on this meaningful work together,"
said Simon Thomas, President,
Potash, BHP. "Together we will create local jobs and training
opportunities and provide Jansen
with high quality local support and services as we build one of
world's most modern, technically advanced and sustainable potash
mines. Our partnership with WFS is an opportunity to help bring
this to life and is part of upholding our commitment to the six
First Nations surrounding the Jansen site with whom we have Opportunity
Agreements."
About George Gordon Developments Ltd.
George Gordon Developments Ltd is the economic development arm
of the George Gordon First Nation. Based in Saskatchewan, their mission is to create
wealth and advance their self-determination on behalf of community
members through jobs, opportunity, and economic ventures.
About ATCO
With approximately 7,600 employees and assets of $24 billion, ATCO Ltd. is a diversified global
corporation with investments in the essential services of
Structures & Logistics (workforce and residential housing,
innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services,
workforce lodging services, facility operations and maintenance,
defence operations services, and disaster and emergency management
services); Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission and
distribution, and international operations); Energy Infrastructure
(energy storage, energy generation, industrial water solutions, and
clean fuels); Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail
sales, and whole-home solutions); Transportation (ports and
transportation logistics); and Commercial Real Estate. More
information can be found at www.ATCO.com.
About BHP
BHP is a global resources company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. BHP has a global
workforce of approximately 80,000 people working in locations
across Australia, Asia, the UK, US, Canada and the Americas. BHP produces
commodities essential for global decarbonization and economic
development including copper, nickel, iron ore, metallurgical coal
and is developing the Jansen
potash project in Saskatchewan.
Further information on BHP can be found at: bhp.com
ATCO INQUIRES:
Investor:
Colin
Jackson
Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasury, Risk &
Sustainability
403 808 2636
Colin.Jackson@ATCO.com
Media:
Kurt Kadatz
Director, Corporate Communications
587 228 4571
Kurt.Kadatz@ATCO.com
BHP INQUIRIES:
Megan Hjulfors
Media Relations
403-605-2314
Megan.Hjulfors@BHP.com
Forward-Looking Information:
Certain
information in this news release may constitute forward-looking
information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always,
identified by words such as "plan", "expect", "may", "will", aim",
"should", and similar expressions. In particular, forward-looking
information in this news release includes references to the
expected value and term of the camp support services contract, the
number of jobs to be supported by the contract, BHP's planned
investment in Jansen Stage 1, and the expected potash production
and timing of first production from Jansen Stage 1.
It is believed that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking information are reasonable based on the information
that is available on the date of this news release; however, such
statements are not guarantees of future performance and no
assurance can be given that the expectations will prove to be
correct. Forward-looking information should not be unduly relied
upon. Such information involves a variety of assumptions, known and
unknown risks and uncertainties, and other factors which may cause
actual results, levels of activity, and achievements to differ
materially from those anticipated. Such forward-looking information
reflects current beliefs and assumptions with respect to, among
other things, regulatory approvals, the performance of assets and
equipment, and the ability to meet project schedules.
Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated
in the forward-looking information as a result of, among other
things, risks inherent in the performance of assets; applicable
laws and government policies; regulatory decisions; competitive
factors; prevailing economic conditions; the availability and cost
of labour, materials, equipment and services; the occurrence of
unexpected events such as fires, severe weather conditions,
explosions, equipment failures, other accidents or similar events;
and other risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not
exhaustive.
SOURCE ATCO Ltd.