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WA gold miner Calidus Resources has agreed a deal with East Pilbara to co-fund a $7-million upgrade of the council-owned Marble Bar Airport.
The deal, part of a $8.5-million coronavirus relief package, will allow the airport to accommodate 100-seater jets on an all-weather, sealed runway.
Calidus managing director Dave Reeves said, “An all-weather airport capable of landing jet aircrafts near our project is not only a safe way of transporting personnel to site, but delivers an economic benefit to the project and will assist in employee attraction and retention.”
The deal will see the business contribute $2 million, and the Shire of East Pilbara the remaining $5 million, with the project expected to be completed by mid-2021.
The airstrip is a two-hour drive from Port Hedland, and will service the 1.25 million ounce Warrawoona Gold Project, a 780-square-kilometre belt in the region’s emerging goldfields.
East Pilbara president Lynne Craigie said, “The Marble Bar Airport is one of the most significant investment decisions I’ve seen in my time on the Shire’s council.
“As leaders of our community, the health and wellbeing of our residents is our primary role and consequently we plan to implement these actions as soon as possible.”
