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From strength to strength

“If you give someone an opportunity – they can turn it into something.”

Tammy O’Connor is a Palyku/Nyiyaparli woman and the owner of Kingkira, a 100 per cent Aboriginal owned business in the Pilbara, providing industrial and waste management services to BHP.

Her local business is growing from strength to strength, and has now successfully completed two big projects at BHP’s South Flank.

As part of their first big package of work for BHP, Kingkira removed 74 buildings from the Marillana site at Yandi, ahead of schedule and with zero safety events.

“The jobs we have completed have been ahead of time and done safely,” said Tammy.

“And now there’s some really good people in BHP who are helping us. We’ve started to become part of the BHP family. It’s been deadly!”

Tammy is originally from Marble Bar and has 12 people working for her, 90 per cent of whom are Indigenous.

“I grew up here and it makes me really proud to work on my Country. I love giving people jobs and opportunities – people wearing my company’s shirt and brand. It’s a good feeling, having people say they work for Kingkira.”

Kingkira has been operating for nearly five years and was named for Tammy’s two teenage daughters – Kingston and Shakira.

“We learn hands-on and we often partner with other companies in the region which increases our expertise and helps me put more capital into our assets,” said Tammy.

The community spirit is strong in the Pilbara and Kingkira is paying it forward through their community fund.

“I’m just trying to help others. If you give someone an opportunity they can turn it into something,” Tammy explained.

Kingkira works with BHP through its Local Buying Program, which helps to keep jobs, businesses and families in regional communities, contributing to the longevity and vibrancy of the towns that are home to our operations. To read more about the Local Buying Program visit

www.c-res.com.au.