Three First Nations and Saskatchewan Security Firm To Provide Services for BHP Billiton’s Jansen Project
MEDIA RELEASE
April 28, 2015
Saskatoon, SK – BHP Billiton has signed an agreement with Athabasca Basin Security (ABS) to provide security services for its Jansen Potash project. ABS has partnered with local First Nations through the Kawacatoose Daystar Muskowekwan (KDM) Business Development Corporation, for the training and employment of band members by the Saskatchewan-based security firm. The MOU signing between ABS and KDM took place on Friday, April 24, 2015.
“BHP Billiton is pleased to be able to provide this opportunity to ABS and KDM through our current level of activity at the Jansen Project” says Alex Archila, President of Potash, BHP Billiton. “This is in line with our Local Procurement Plan which seeks to make a broader economic contribution that helps to continue building the business capacities of local, Saskatchewan, First Nations and Métis businesses.”
The contract will supply 40 jobs to the area. KDM will be responsible for security training and ABS will provide pre-employment requirements and jobs across Western Canada for the people who meet them. The First Nation becomes the sole provider of training for the company in the region.
“We are very excited about this agreement, as it’s a win-win for everyone,” says Ron Hyggen, CEO of Athabasca Basin Security. “As an aboriginal-owned security company, we take pride in providing a top-tier service to our clients, as well as providing meaningful career opportunities with transferrable skills for aboriginal people. We look forward to working with KDM to provide employment, training and a stellar industrial security service to BHP Billiton.”
In October 2013, BHP Billiton and Kawacatoose Day Star, and Muskowekwan First Nations signed an Opportunities Agreement for the Jansen Potash project. The agreement with BHP Billiton included mutually beneficial opportunities in employment, business, and community development for the three First Nations.
“The agreement we signed with BHP Billiton has led to this current partnership with Athabasca Basin Security,” says Chief Reg Bellerose of the Muskowekwan First Nation. “We believe that collaboration through the creation of strategic alliances is the key to successful workforce development for our membership as well as for the collective business pursuits of our three First Nations, and this agreement is a good step towards our goal to provide people in our communities with access to education, training, and employment in a long-term, meaningful career.”
For more information, please contact:
Alison Boulding, Project Manager
Muskowekwan Resources Ltd.
aboulding@mrl.ca
306.242.5746
Ron Hyggen, CEO
Athabasca Basin Security
ronhyggen@basinsecurity.com
306.382.1030
KDM Business Development Corporation KDM represents Kawacatoose, Daystar and Muskowekwan First Nations who formed a limited partnership with goal of collectively pursuing business, employment, and capacity building opportunities within the region.
Athabasca Basin Security Your trusted partner for industrial and mine site security, Athabasca Basin Security provides the Canadian mining industry’s top companies with a full range of industrial security solutions. Based in Saskatoon, the company is owned by the seven communities in northern Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin.
Ron Hyggen, CEO of ABS, Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose, Kawacatoose First Nation Chief Dennis Dustyhorn, and Day Star First Nation Chief Lloyd Buffalo sign an MOU to provide security services at BHP Billiton’s Jansen site.
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