6 June 2025

Whitehaven’s Byron Ginty and Indigenous business Ochre Australia to be recognised at QRC Indigenous Awards

Local Queensland business, Ochre Australia, was recently named a finalist in the Exceptional Indigenous Business Award category at the 2025 Queensland Resources Council Indigenous Awards after being nominated by Whitehaven.

Byron Ginty, Manager – Environment and Rehabilitation at Whitehaven’s Blackwater Mine, was also named a finalist in the Indigenous Advocacy Award category for his work with Ochre and longstanding commitment to driving positive change for Indigenous communities through employment, procurement and skills development opportunities.

Byron has worked hard to build strong relationships with the Gaangulu People and local Indigenous businesses throughout his time at Blackwater, and this nomination is well-deserved recognition for his leadership and passion.

Ochre Australia is a majority Indigenous-owned business and a long-term supplier to Whitehaven’s Blackwater Mine, with the successful partnership beginning in 2021 when Byron engaged the team to support Blackwater’s rehabilitation commitments.

Since commencing, Ochre and the Blackwater rehabilitation team have built a strong working relationship focused on trust and transparency. With Ochre initially being new to the mining sector, both parties recognised the company had gaps in its capability and resourcing that would require targeted upskilling and support. The teams worked closely together to build Ochre’s capability around mine compliance, which has positioned them to get to where they are now – working autonomously at Blackwater.

Ochre has been instrumental in a number of rehabilitation and environmental projects at Blackwater Mine, including supply of operators, execution of civil works packages, legacy borehole location and sediment control.

Today, Ochre Australia plays an integral role in Blackwater’s operations and, importantly, makes a significant contribution to the local Indigenous community. Ochre’s efforts have not only enhanced the local environment but also provided valuable opportunities for Indigenous people to build a career in the mining industry.

Kerrod Toby, Managing Director and Founder of Ochre Australia is grateful for the opportunities and support the Blackwater team has provided over the years.

“Byron Ginty and his team at Blackwater Mine have been incredibly supportive of me, my team and our journey as a small local Indigenous Traditional Owner business,” Kerrod added.

“Their continued support has helped us build real capability in our team and community and brings my dream of creating a better future for the mob a little step closer to reality.”

Ochre is now an embedded contractor at Blackwater, with an approximate annual spend of $3 million. The team consists of 11 fulltime employees on a 7/7 roster, including a project manager, two supervisors, multi-skilled operators and a trainer assessor. This opportunity has also enabled Ochre to expand its business to dry plant hire, as well as aligned mining and civil services.

Ochre’s growth couldn’t have happened without Byron Ginty’s support and enthusiasm.

“We are incredibly proud of Byron and the role he’s played advocating for Indigenous businesses like Ochre Australia,” said Whitehaven CEO and Managing Director, Paul Flynn.

“He has demonstrated great leadership and his nomination as a finalist at the QRC Indigenous Awards is well-deserved recognition for years of great work.

“It’s also fantastic to see one of our partners recognised. Ochre Australia’s success exemplifies the importance of Whitehaven’s Indigenous procurement strategy and the benefits it can deliver for Indigenous businesses.

“Blackwater’s work with Ochre has not only created employment opportunities but also facilitated skill development and career growth within the community that will have long-lasting impacts.

“By working together with local Indigenous businesses, we are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable local economy.”

Whitehaven’s commitment to supporting Indigenous businesses is formalised through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which includes ambitious but realistic targets that the company continues to make steady progress against. In 2025, Whitehaven will be launching an Indigenous Engagement Strategy that builds on the progress made through the RAP framework.

QRC Indigenous Awards winners will be announced at the biennial awards dinner on Wednesday 25 June at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane.

For more information about Whitehaven’s long and proud history of working with Indigenous businesses, please visit: https://whitehavencoal.com.au/sustainability/indigenous-engagement/.

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