Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston has congratulated the winners of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety's annual Resources Sector Awards for Excellence.
The Woombooriny Amboon Angarriiya Partnership Initiative (WAAPI) won the Community Partnership Resources Sector Award for its unique Aboriginal-led, community driven approach to improving the lives of Aboriginal children in the Dampier Peninsula.
Led by Woodside Energy and Save the Children Foundation, WAAPI focuses on bringing community members together, building strong local leadership and mentoring community navigators to inform and guide social planning.
Sandfire Resources received the Golden Gecko award for environmental excellence for its DeGrussa solar project in the Mid-West.
More than 34,000 solar photovoltaic panels were installed at the project in 2016.
The solar panels generate 17 to 20 per cent of power required at the copper-gold mine and have helped Sandfire reduce its carbon emissions by 30,789 tonnes since 2016.
An Enduring Partnership award was presented to the Alcoa Harvey Waroona Sustainability Fund for supporting 60 diverse projects for the local communities.
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
"On behalf of the McGowan Labor Government, congratulations to the winners who have pushed the boundaries and demonstrated their abilities to safeguard and improve our State.
"The Woombooriny Amboon Angarriiya Partnership Initiative and Sandfire's DeGrussa solar project are examples of going above and beyond to ensure the best outcomes for local communities and the environment.
"The McGowan Government is a strong supporter of the resources sector and especially companies that are setting an excellent example of working sustainably and creating positive outcomes for local communities."
2019 Resources Sector Awards for Excellence - Full list of winners
Resources Sector Community Partnership Award Winner
*The name means 'All People Moving Forwards Together' in the local Bardi and Nyul Nyul languages.
Golden Gecko Award for Environmental Excellence Winner
The DeGrussa Solar Project
Sandfire Resources NL
Certificate of Merit
Glass Jar Australia and Sandfire Resources NL
Enduring Partnership Award
The Alcoa Harvey Waroona Sustainability Fund
Shires of Harvey and Waroona and Alcoa of Australia
