Aqura contract continues BHP connection

The Veris subsidiary signed the contract worth $3.7 million for the design, procurement, installation and support of the infrastructure by November 2021.

Aqura chief executive officer Travis Young said his company was well-placed to continue its strong relationship with BHP.

“Aqura’s market-leading service offering of strong commercials, technology capability, and the quality and safety focus of Aqura’s field delivery team have all contributed to the award of these contracts,” Young said.

“It is very pleasing to be able to leverage the market-leading skills of our in-house team to weave together a rich tapestry of technologies that will ensure enhanced user experience for BHP’s employees.”

The accommodation sites are in and around the town of Newman, which will receive point-to-point microwave, DOCSIS (data over cable service interface specifications) and fibre-optic infrastructure for in-room Wi-Fi.

Young said these technologies were integral to employees, especially those in fly-in, fly-out roles spending increasing lengths away from home.

“The upgrades will provide a solid foundation for current and future users to access reliable and high-quality communications whilst working for extended periods in remote areas,” Young said.

“These technologies are increasingly recognised by mine operators as critical to the health and wellbeing of the workforces that service these operations.”

BHP has also extended its Master Services Agreement with Aqura by 12 months, ensuring both companies will collaborate well into 2022.

The partnership between BHP and Aqura began in 2018, when the tech company was signed to deliver a communication and entertainment system at BHP’s Yandi village accommodation camp.