Mineral Resources (MinRes) has officially opened Mungala Resort, a $140 million, resort-style accommodation complex at its Onslow Iron project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The facility, located on the land of the Robe River Kuruma (RRK) people — the Traditional Owners of the Ken’s Bore mine site — takes its name from the local Aboriginal word for ‘Red Hill’, a significant landmark for the RRK community.
The opening ceremony was attended by the RRK Board, Traditional Owners, MinRes leaders, and the Onslow Iron project team.
The event featured a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony performed by Georgina Bobby, Arnold Bobby, and Sharon Lockyer, and marked the first time the RRK Board held a meeting at an operating mine site.
MinRes Managing Director Chris Ellison described the resort as a testament to the company’s partnership with the RRK and its commitment to employee wellbeing.
“Close engagement with the Robe River Kuruma people has supported Onslow Iron’s development and fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural significance of these lands – and Mungala Resort now offers lasting recognition of our partnerships,” Ellison said.
“At Onslow Iron, we’ve made it our mission to set a new standard for mine site accommodation and wellbeing.
“Through innovative design, we believe we have created something truly unique in Australia.”
RRK Chair Kelly Slattery emphasised the importance of the resort’s name and cultural reflection: “We are pleased MinRes has worked with the RRK people to ensure that our people and Country are reflected in the project.
“We congratulate MinRes on this achievement and we look forward to the partnership over the next 30 years.”
Mungala Resort features 500 rooms — each three times the size of traditional FIFO accommodation — catering to both singles and couples.
Nearly a quarter of the workforce at Ken’s Bore mine are women, and 23 couples currently reside at the resort.
Amenities include a swimming pool, fitness centres, cinema, sports facilities, and multiple dining options, with safety measures such as individual access cards and an extensive CCTV network.
MinRes Director People Andrea Chapman highlighted the company’s focus on employee experience, stating: “We know working FIFO often involves long hours in tough conditions, so Onslow Iron was MinRes’ opportunity to take the care of our people to a whole new level.”
“We are confident this investment will help Onslow Iron attract and retain talent, deliver better health outcomes for our people and contribute to the project’s success.”
