Rio, which employs more than 2200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, said the milestone was reached after inking a $55 million contract with Brierty for the Wickham South residential development.

Awarded on May 10, the contract involves the construction of 221 housing lots in the South Wickham subdivision to support the expansion of Rio’s Cape Lambert port and rail facilities.

It won the contract in joint venture with the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Sam Walsh said the company was committed to supporting sustainable indigenous businesses, training and employment opportunities.

“Our commitment to our Aboriginal partnerships is real, has resulted in these tangible outcomes and continues to be a priority in our iron ore business,” he said during his Asia Society speech in Sydney today.

“It’s exciting to note that there are still a number of significant contracts to be awarded as we move towards achieving increased capacity in the Pilbara of 353 million tonnes a year.”

Rio’s joint venture with Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation marks the start of the recently approved stage 1 Wickham South subdivision, which is a part of the Wickham town expansion project.

Walsh said Rio was proud to be the largest employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.