PLS has awarded a contract to Bugarrba PJV Pty Ltd and SRG Global Infrastructure Pty Ltd for the upgrade of the main access road to its Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The contract, which includes participation by Bugarrba a majority Nyamal-owned joint venture business, involves upgrading approximately 14.6 km of the private section of the access road connecting the Great Northern Highway to Pilgangoora, including road sealing and new drainage infrastructure to improve access during the Pilbara’s wet season.
PLS Managing Director and CEO, Dale Henderson, said the contract demonstrated progress on the company’s infrastructure investment plans while creating opportunities for Nyamal business participation.
“We’re pleased to award this important contract to Bugarrba and SRG Global, building on our longstanding relationships with the Nyamal People and SRG. Through our ongoing engagement with the Nyamal People, we recognise the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for employment, business growth and long-term economic independence. This contract is a practical example of how our investment at Pilgangoora can support greater Nyamal economic participation on Country.
“The road upgrade is also a key part of our infrastructure investment for Pilgangoora, improving operational efficiency, reducing costs and supporting the operation’s next phase of growth.”
Bugarrba Director and Nyamal and Yindjibarndi woman, Jessica Wilson, said: “For Bugarrba, this project is about much more than participating in a single contract. It is an opportunity to build on the capability our people have developed across the Pilbara and diversify our offering, creating new skills and broader career pathways for our team.
“Bugarrba was established to create meaningful, sustainable opportunities for our people, and this project is another important step in that journey. Delivering work on Country with PLS and SRG Global gives our people the opportunity to develop practical civil capabilities that we can carry into future civil maintenance opportunities and continue building on over the long term.”
SRG Global Managing Director, David Macgeorge, said: “SRG Global is proud of our established partnership with Bugarrba, built around the principle that sustainable Indigenous participation comes from creating commercially strong businesses, developing capability and providing genuine pathways for people to build long-term careers.
“We see the Pilgangoora access road project as an important opportunity to apply SRG Global’s civil infrastructure experience to support the development of Bugarrba’s capabilities and strengthen its presence in the Pilbara. Our focus will be on delivering the project safely and successfully while providing practical skills development and experience that Bugarrba can build on to pursue future civil maintenance opportunities.”
Construction commenced in October 2026, with completion targeted for July 2027.
The project is expected to create 105 jobs during construction, training and development opportunities will focus on practical, transferable skills including plant operation, environmental controls, dust management, materials handling, traffic management, minor civil works and general maintenance activities.
Once complete, the upgraded road will provide safer and more reliable access to Pilgangoora, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. It will also support more efficient product haulage, including the potential use of larger truck configurations to transport more product with fewer vehicle movements.
The road upgrade forms part of PLS’ investment of up to A$650 million ($451 million) in enhancing infrastructure at Pilgangoora, approved in October 2026 alongside the A$1.9 billion P2000 Expansion Project.
The Western Australian Government recently committed A$11 million towards upgrading the public section of the Great Northern Highway and Wodgina Road intersection, supporting safer access and improved regional road infrastructure.
The Pilgangoora Operation is located on Nyamal and Kariyarra Country in the Pilbara.
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