Supporting training and employment of Aboriginal people

Thiess’ Prominent Hill team continues to pave sustainable career pathways for Aboriginal Australians, with three new trainees joining the project over the past 12 months.

Delivered in partnership with Agangu Mining and Oz Minerals, the five-year contract focuses on training and developing local Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytatjara (AMY) people. 

Joining the program has been a lifechanging decision for trainee Gabrielle (Gabby) Miller, who was inspired by her daughters to make a change and step up to be a role model for her community. 

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the workforce and their focus on ensuring we achieve long-term, secure employment,” Gabby said. 

“This opportunity has also provided a steady income stream that benefits me, my family and the wider community.” 


About the project 
Located on the traditional lands of the AMY people, Oz Minerals’ Prominent Hill copper-gold mine is approximately 650km north-west from Adelaide, South Australia.  

In 2005, Thiess first began working with Oz Minerals initially providing early feasibility works.  

Over the next 13 years, Thiess’ scope of work expanded to include full mining services until the mine’s closure in 2018. 

During the contract term, Thiess and Oz Minerals completed a social impact study which identified that local employees, specifically the AMY people, would be impacted when the project closed after reaching its end of mine life. 

A subsequent Run of Mine (ROM) and stockpile rehandling tender provided an opportunity to reduce these impacts. 


Our partnership 
In 2018, Thiess and the local Traditional Owner group Antakirinja Matu-Yankunythatjara Aboriginal Corporation (AMYAC) partnered to present a join tender submission with key objectives including: 

- Employment and training outcomes for AMYAC members in a culturally safe workplace; and
- An ability to grow the commercial capacity and capabilities of AMYAC’s commercial subsidiary, AMY Nominees through labour hire services, Anangu Mining. 


The joint submission was successful with Thiess and Anangu Mining securing a $112m contract to provide stockpile rehandling and ROM services. 

Under the five-year contract, Thiess is continuing to work with Anangu Mining to increase their plant and equipment fleet, labour skills and strengthen their commercial capabilities to position for future business development opportunities.