Santos’ Port Bonython Operations, located in Whyalla, tendered Maintenance Services solely to indigenous owned businesses in 2023 as part of the Santos corporate objective to boost indigenous participation in the regions in which they operate. The scope included electrical services, office cleaning and vegetation management.

Research was conducted utilising Santos’ indigenous partnership with Supply Nation, and 5 suppliers were invited to tender. Santos customised the tendering and procurement processes to meet the challenges of engaging with suppliers that were not familiar in engaging with resources companies.

Tendering for a total of 10 scopes of work on site, Zancott Knight was awarded a 5-year contract. Zancott Knight and Santos are committed to providing work opportunities to local Whyalla indigenous personnel, and to further support the community by also engaging local and indigenous subcontractors.

Santos are committed to sponsoring the training of the individuals employed under this contract to ensure that they can provide their skills to the resources industry. This training will take the form of 'on the job' training at the Santos Port Bonython Operations facility, as well as off-site training as required by their specific role. Such training will provide a gateway for the individuals to seek ongoing well paid employment within multiple large companies in the Upper Spencer Gulf region.