BHP has awarded contracts to Indigenous-owned firms to support the development of the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan, Canada.
The 2Nations Bird joint venture secured two contracts for works related to the $5.7bn Jansen Stage 1 project.
It is a partnership between Bird Construction, Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation’s Willow Cree Developments General Partner; and Fishing Lake First Nation’s Development Corporation, FLFN Ventures.
Under the first contract, which is valued at C$62m, 2Nations Bird will undertake concrete foundations work for four main non-process buildings at the Jansen project.
It has also been tasked with general site services during the Jansen Stage 1 execution phase, as well as the maintenance of various facilities currently in operation to service the site.
The three-year site services agreement is worth more than C$110m.
Furthermore, 2Nations Bird has awarded subcontracts to KDM Constructors and George Gordon Developments, the economic development unit of the George Gordon First Nation.
Planned to be commissioned in late 2026, the Jansen Stage 1 project is expected to produce 4.35 million tonnes a year of potash.
BHP also awarded a multi-year contract, valued at C$86m, to Wicehtowak Frontec Services (WFS) to provide camp support services at its BHP Jansen Discovery Lodge.
Wicehtowak Frontec Services (WFS) is a joint venture partnership between ATCO Frontec and George Gordon Developments (GGDL).
Originally designed and built by ATCO Structures in 2012, BHP’s Discovery Lodge houses up to 2,500 workers.
Under the contract, WFS will provide management and administration, food services, programming, housekeeping and janitorial, and maintenance work for the facility.
