MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 9,
2023 /CNW/ - Bird Construction Inc. (TSX: BDT),
together with BHP and 2Nations Bird Construction Limited
Partnership ("2Nations Bird") are pleased to announce that the
2Nations Bird joint venture has been awarded two contracts by BHP
for works on the Jansen Stage 1 Potash Project ("Jansen Stage 1")
in Saskatchewan. 2Nations Bird is
a partnership between Bird, Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation's
Willow Cree Developments General Partner Inc. and Fishing Lake
First Nation's Development Corporation, FLFN Ventures.
The 2Nations Bird partnership is rooted in culture, respect,
collaboration and providing sustainable, positive impacts for the
communities. It was formed to participate in BHP's Jansen project, providing a full scope of
construction and maintenance services. The partnership is focused
on procuring goods and services from local Indigenous businesses
and aims to maximize employment opportunities for local Indigenous
employees. Opportunities for specific training and employment
programs will support long-term career employment and advancement
opportunities.
2Nations Bird will self-perform concrete foundations work for
four main non-process buildings at Jansen, a contract valued at approximately CAD
$62 million. The partnership was also
awarded a three-year site services agreement where 2Nations Bird
has responsibility for general site services during the execution
of Jansen Stage 1, as well as maintenance of a variety of
facilities currently in operation to service the site. The
three-year service agreement is valued at over CAD $110 million.
2Nations Bird has engaged with KDM Constructors, as the
designated subcontractor. KDM has been involved with the project
with BHP for over seven years, providing contract services for the
Jansen site. As a First
Nations-owned industrial construction and maintenance service
provider, KDM brings together Kawakatoose, Day Star and Muskowekwan
Nations along with the Saskatchewan-based SECON Group of
Companies. George Gordon Developments Ltd, the economic
development arm of the George Gordon First Nation will also be a
subcontractor on the site services agreement.
BHP is investing CAD $7.5 billion
to build Jansen Stage 1, which will be one of the world's largest
and most sustainable potash mines and is located 140 km from
Saskatoon. Jansen Stage 1 is
expected to produce approximately 4.35 million tonnes of potash per
annum, with the first production planned for late-2026.
"Indigenous and industry partnerships, such as 2Nations Bird
Construction, create economic and employment opportunities for our
Nation and its members. It allows us to develop capacity, learn
from one another, and grow in tandem. More importantly, these types
of relationships are critical to advance economic reconciliation
which allows us to develop long-term, meaningful, and sustainable
outcomes," says Chief Ananas, Beardy's & Okemasis' Cree
Nation.
"The Fishing Lake First Nations Development Corporation, FLFN
Ventures, is optimistic about the opportunities these two contracts
and the partnerships we are involved in to engage in this work,
present. We look forward to working with our partners at 2Nations
Bird, KDM and BHP," stated Bob
Kayseas, Chair, FLFN Ventures, Fishing Lake First
Nation.
"With the creation of KDM, we brought together three Nations to
build shared community and economic benefit, and we appreciate the
long-term partnership we have had with BHP on the Jansen project. It is significant that under
this new contract we now bring together six Nations, all connected
under Treaty 4 Territory – creating broader benefits for the
Nations across the region," said Chief Buffalo, Day Star First
Nation.
"BHP is delighted to announce the partnership with 2Nations Bird
and we look forward to building strong working relationships," said
Simon Thomas, President Potash, BHP.
"The award of these contracts is a significant milestone for Jansen
Stage 1 and one that will have positive impacts for the local
community. We are committed to upholding the opportunity agreements
we have with the six First Nations surrounding Jansen and to working with other Indigenous
communities to help ensure Indigenous Peoples gain from our
presence in the region."
"We are honoured to be chosen as a key partner for BHP's
Jansen project and are committed
to delivering exceptional results through our 2Nations Bird
partnership over the next three years. Together, our shared values
of respect and collaboration will be instrumental in creating
positive and sustainable impacts in the region," said Mr.
Teri McKibbon, President and CEO of
Bird. "As a service provider in this vital sector of the Canadian
economy, working on BHP's world-class, sustainable potash project
is an exciting opportunity."
Bird Forward Looking Statements: This
press release contains forward-looking information (as defined in
applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
actual results, performance, or achievements to materially differ
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
information.
The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
BHP Forward Looking Statements: Certain
information in this news release may constitute forward-looking
information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always,
identified by words such as "plan", "expect", "may", "will", "aim",
"should", and similar expressions. In particular, BHP's planned
investment in Jansen Stage 1, and the expected potash production
and timing of first production from Jansen Stage 1.
It is believed that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking information are reasonable based on the information
that is available on the date of this news release; however, such
statements are not guarantees of future performance and no
assurance can be given that the expectations will prove to be
correct. Forward-looking information should not be unduly relied
upon. Such information involves a variety of assumptions, known and
unknown risks, and uncertainties, and other factors, which may
cause actual results, levels of activity, and achievements to
differ materially from those anticipated. Such forward-looking
information reflects current beliefs and assumptions with respect
to, among other things, regulatory approvals, the performance of
assets and equipment, and the ability to meet project
schedules.
Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated
in the forward-looking information as a result of, among other
things, risks inherent in the performance of assets; applicable
laws and government policies; regulatory decisions; competitive
factors; prevailing economic conditions; the availability of
labour, materials, equipment and services; the occurrence of
unexpected events such as fires, severe weather conditions, beyond
the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that the
foregoing lists are not exhaustive.
About Bird Construction
Bird (TSX: BDT) is a leading Canadian construction company
operating from coast-to-coast and servicing all of Canada's major markets. Bird provides a
comprehensive range of construction services from new construction
for industrial, commercial, institutional, and civil infrastructure
markets; to industrial maintenance, repair and operations services,
heavy civil construction, and mine support services; as well as
vertical infrastructure including, electrical, mechanical, and
specialty trades. For over 100 years, Bird has been a
people-focused company with an unwavering commitment to safety and
a high level of service that provides long-term value for all
stakeholders. www.bird.ca
About BHP
BHP is a global resources company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and its Canadian
headquarters in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan. BHP has a global workforce of approximately
80,000 people working in locations across Australia, Asia, the UK, US, Canada and the Americas. BHP produces
commodities essential for global decarbonization and economic
development including copper, nickel, iron ore, metallurgical coal
and is developing the Jansen
potash project in Saskatchewan.
Further information on BHP can be found at: bhp.com
SOURCE Bird Construction Inc.