Bunuba trainees celebrate graduation at mine site

Six Indigenous trainees have graduated through the Ellendale-Bunuba Trainee Program in the Kimberley region of Western Australia this week marking another milestone in building local skills and creating long-term jobs.

The program, with funding from the WA State government, has now awarded its third set of nationally recognised qualifications, delivered as part of the efforts to rehabilitate the former Ellendale diamond mining lease.

The six trainees who graduated received a total of 12 National Certificates of Attainment for articulated truck and watercart operations.

All are proud Bunuba people, the Traditional Owners of the land covering the Ellendale area.

Third group of trainees

With this year’s six graduates, a total of 16 participants have now completed the program over the past three seasons, earning 69 nationally recognised certificates.

Beyond training and employment outcomes, the project has also achieved major environmental milestones. These include the decommissioning of the site’s village camp and processing areas, stabilisation of constructed landforms and the construction of more than 5.4 kilometres of safety bunds around former pit voids.

“This is a great initiative that creates meaningful training and employment opportunities for the Bunuba people while also rehabilitating abandoned mine sites,” Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said.

“I would like to congratulate the participants for completing the program.”

Community benefit

Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael said the government remained committed to working with industry and Traditional Owners to deliver best practice standards in mine rehabilitation across Western Australia.

“The Ellendale project shows how government-led mine closures can be approached in a way that delivers both environmental results and lasting community benefit,” he said.

“The success of the trainee program reflects strong local partnerships and the commitment of everyone involved.”