Western Australia’s regional and metropolitan areas are set to benefit from a new collaborative partnership between the resources sector and State Government which will increase investment in infrastructure projects and community and social initiatives.

BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside and Chevron are foundation partners in the new Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII), announced today by WA Premier Mark McGowan.

BHP has committed to invest $250 million over 10 years to the RCII.

“BHP has a long and proud history in Western Australia, and we welcome the collaborative approach taken by the WA Government and the mining industry to strengthen our significant contribution to this great State,” WAIO Asset President Brandon Craig said.

“Over the past 10 years, we have contributed more than $4.3 billion in social, community and training programs in Perth, the Pilbara, Port Hedland and the Goldfields, on top of tens of billions of dollars in investment, jobs, royalties and taxes.

“We look forward to furthering our support for long-term social and economic outcomes in the regions where we operate, and for all West Australians.”

As a partner company in the initiative, BHP will decide on the projects it funds and will establish agreements with the State around individual projects. 

WA Iron Ore contributed around $44 million in FY22 to initiatives and projects in regional WA communities, through its social investment program.

Our global operations – including WA Iron Ore - have enabled us to provide significant support to local businesses, regional and Indigenous communities, to protect local jobs and pay taxes and royalties to governments.

In WA, we’ve put a lot of effort and focus over the past year into increasing our spend with Traditional Owner and Indigenous businesses, and providing local opportunities for WA, regional and local businesses through our procurement and supply processes and the Local Buy Program.

You can read more about our economic contribution here.