Paddy McGinty on site at Argyle

Rio Tinto is committed to supporting small business initiatives.

So, when employee Paddy McGinty had a business idea in Kununurra, we wanted to listen.

Paddy identified an opportunity in removing industrial and domestic waste from the Argyle Diamonds site, and registered his interest in developing a new business to bridge the gap.

The work was put to tender, and Paddy worked with a consultant from Indigenous Business Australia to prepare a business case and placed his offer. He was advised in October 2007 he had been successful, and worked with the Contracts and Maintenance department at Argyle closely to familiarise himself with the daily duties he would be undertaking with his contracting business.

Manager Logistics and Infrastructure, Erik Robat, could see the importance of local procurement for the region’s economic future.

“Given Paddy’s previous experience in waste removal at Argyle, we can expect the transition to a contracting business will be smooth,” Mr Robat said.

“We will continue to look for similar opportunities where local businesses can provide Argyle with competitive services.”