Mineral Resources : MinRes and Ngarliya drive safety innovation

In February, Mineral Resources (MinRes) proudly awarded a five-year contract to Ngarliya for the provision of fire suppression maintenance and pest control services across MinRes sites.

Ngarliya is a joint venture between Paull & Warner Resources and Jajiwarda Contracting, co-owned by Arran Henry and Kelly Slattery, a Robe River Kuruma Traditional Owner whose Country is home to MinRes' Ken's Bore mine site.

Raising the standard for emergency response

MinRes operates in a diverse range of mining and infrastructure environments throughout Western Australia, from aerodrome operations at MinRes' Onslow Iron project to remote bushfire-prone zones in the Pilbara, each requiring bespoke emergency response needs.

Following internal audits, MinRes identified the opportunity to upgrade its existing fleet to ensure consistent, high-performance coverage for emergencies on its sites.

Under the Ngarliya partnership, upgrades to the fleet have been designed and delivered to meet specifications tailored to MinRes' operational standards and compliance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Department of Fire and Emergency Service requirements.

The fleet includes agile quick response vehicles for rapid deployment, durable 1.4 light tankers for off-road and bushfire response and high-capacity 3.4 urban tankers for structural fires, accidents and aerodrome operations.

By deploying a uniform fleet, MinRes not only enhances its emergency response capability but also reinforces operational efficiency, safety compliance and cost predictability across its entire footprint.

Why Ngarliya was the right choice

Ngarliya brings a unique blend of firsthand experience throughout Western Australia and deep industry knowledge of fire appliance services.

Their familiarity with MinRes' operational environments - gained through direct engagement across multiple locations - enabling them to anticipate and address site-specific challenges with precision.

Their technical expertise also reflects a strong command of industry-wide compliance requirements.

A partnership built on shared values

Ngarliya Director Arran Henry said the first year of their contract with MinRes has been overwhelmingly positive, with Ngarliya maturing as a business and expanding its services to other clients.

"We're proud to have built strong working relationships that allow us to quickly adapt to our clients' needs and consistently deliver high-quality services," Henry said.

"We're excited for the opportunities ahead and the growth we anticipate for our business over the next five years."

This shared commitment to excellence is echoed by MinRes Manager Aboriginal Business Development Ashley Carey who emphasised the contract goes beyond the machinery.

"This contract isn't just about equipment - it's about creating sustainable jobs and building capacity in Aboriginal-owned businesses to deliver high performance solutions as their clients grow and adapt," Ash said.

Building capacity, creating opportunity

As MinRes and Ngarliya continue their partnership, it's more than a commercial agreement - it's a step forward in empowering Aboriginal enterprises to compete at the highest level.

By working with Ngarliya, MinRes is investing in capabilities that protect our people, safeguard our operations and create lasting economic opportunities for Aboriginal businesses across Western Australia.

Learn more about MinRes approach to Traditional Owner partnership and engagement.