The ARA Fire branch in Western Australia, in conjunction with ARA Indigenous Services, has secured the BHP Nickel West (BHP NiW) fire protection services contract for the BHP NiW mine sites and refineries in the Goldfields and Perth. The fire protection services contract is for the inspection and testing of all the fire protection assets. These assets are the fire sprinkler systems, the fire alarm systems, the fire extinguishers and hose reels and the passive fire protection systems being principally fire doors and fire containment. In addition to the inspection and testing, repair work and minor contracts relating to the fire protection assets will likely be awarded to ARA Fire in the future at these BHP NiW sites.
BHP NiW delivers value through their focus on innovation, efficiency and excellence within the mining industry. ARA Fire in Western Australia brings years of experience and expertise in the servicing of fire protection assets in the mining industry. ARA Fire’s team of qualified professionals is dedicated to ensuring the safety of personnel, equipment, and facilities through the provision of comprehensive fire safety solutions.
The ARA Fire protection contract involves our technicians being directly on the mine sites at Mt Keith, Cliffs and Lienster. The refineries in Kalgoorlie and Perth are being supported by our Kalgoorlie and Perth based technicians including our Indigenous employee in Kalgoorlie. The Mount Keith mine is one of the largest open-pit nickel mines in the world and produces nickel concentrate that is processed at the Leinster concentrator.
BHP NiW is part of the BHP Minerals Australia business and its various locations in Western Australia are situated on the traditional lands of the Tijwarl and Wiluna, Untiri Pulka, Ngadju, the Traditional Owners of Kalgoorlie and Gnarla Karla Boodja peoples. BHP NiW sells over 85% of its nickel to the global battery market and employs over 2,500 people at their mines in Western Australia. A lithium-ion battery for an electric car contains over 40Kg of nickel.
Based upon the strong performance by the ARA Fire team inspecting and servicing the fixed fire protection systems, the maintenance of the fire suppression systems on the mobile mining equipment and vehicles has been awarded to ARA Fire. This work is performed by the ARA Fire company, Fire Suppression Services.
