Touching Down in Comfort: FIFO Bliss for Remote Workers
A new era in FIFO (Fly-In-Fly-Out) accommodations has dawned, and Civiltest has enjoyed being part of its inception.
Mineral Resources’ (MinRes) announced their innovative resort-style village earlier this year, designed for comfort and wellbeing, but with the overall intent of transforming the traditional mining lifestyle.
Located at the Onslow Iron project in the Pilbara region, this resort boasts 750 spacious rooms—each a generous 45 square metres, nearly three times larger than typical FIFO setups.
These luxurious accommodations will likely attract a broader demographic, including more women and couples seeking a more comfortable and inviting living space while working in remote locations of the Pilbara.
Where the FIFO Resort Began
Craig Flood, Perth Branch Manager and Projects Operations Manager at Civiltest shares insights into the work: “Quality control was a primary focus for us. We performed a wide variety of test methods to ensure material conformed to client specifications. It was a very busy project with tight deadlines.”
Civiltest provided comprehensive testing services for the runway construction.
Craig explains, “We conducted compaction control testing, materials investigations, and geotechnical investigations. Quality control and stabilisation works were critical to ensure the runway met stringent standards.”
Overcoming Remote Location Challenges
Before the FIFO resort-style accommodations became a reality, Civiltest engineers undertook crucial foundational work.
“We cleared all of the areas and did the foundation preparation, including dynamic cone penetrometer testing due to the presence of excess oversize material,” explains Matthew Maguire, Lab Manager for Civiltest. “We had to think outside the box, using alternative testing methods and materials.”
“Projects like this, when you’re in the middle of nowhere and have to use the material available, involved many material trials. We would blend different types of the available material to determine the correct blend ratio that would be ideal to use in the construction of the pads that the resort is built on,” says Matthew.
“Once all the materials were brought in, we performed nuclear density and lightweight deflectometer testing to determine ground bearing capacity. We’ve had a great result considering the remote nature and challenges.”
I’ll Fly Direct, Thanks
MinRes has also launched direct flights between Brisbane and its Pilbara mine sites to complement the resort’s comfort. This strategic initiative reduces travel time and enhances accessibility, making it easier for workers to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
With Civiltest’s foundational expertise, this bold initiative promises to attract more workers and enhance their overall well-being and satisfaction.
Image Courtesy: Mineral Resources Limited