2016 BANKSIA INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP AWARD

AshOil, WA

AshOil is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation. AshOil’s primary objectives are the provision of training and employment to Indigenous people from the Pilbara region and providing a sustainable Indigenously-owned business. AshOil achieves these objective through the production of renewable fuels, biodiesel, by the conversion of wastes generated in the region. AshOil sells this fuel to Rio Tinto Iron Ore for use in their drill and blast operations. Biodiesel directly offsets diesel consumption. AshOil has extended its operations to include the provision of locally-sourced virgin cooking oil, creating a virtuous circle of recycling. AshOil’s research and development program has identified that waste engine oil can be processed into a diesel substitute in the blasting process. Over 20 million litres of waste engine oil is generated in the Pilbara region. This resource is transported out of the region and therefore its value is lost to the Pilbara. AshOil is progressing its development with Orica to process this valuable resource into a product that can be further utilised. AshOil has always sought to provide a conduit for the employment Indigenous people from the Pilbara. To date more than 60 individuals has passed through Ashoil’s training operations and progressed through to employment positions. AshOil also works with school students to help improve attendance rates. AshOil will continue to focus on its role to leverage employment and training opportunities in the Pilbara region.