[ferro-alloys.com]The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union has called on Premier Mark McGowan to pressure BHP into reconsidering the award of major steel work linked to its next Pilbara iron ore mine to a Chinese company.

The giant miner has confirmed the AMWU’s fears by sending 20,000 tonnes of structural steel work for its $US3.4 billion ($4.7 billion) South Flank project to Tianjin BOMESC Offshore Engineering Company in China’s north-east.

AMWU State secretary Steve McCartney said BHP’s decision deprived WA of jobs and was another blow to local steel fabricators who had already missed out on other major projects.

“We don’t have the opportunity to do anything in the downstreaming of iron ore ... we just put it on a boat and wave goodbye,” Mr McCartney said.

“Our opportunity is in the upstream, in infrastructure and maintenance, and if that’s all we have, it should be done in WA.”

BHP is believed to have questioned the ability of local companies to fill the South Flank tender, yesterday saying that sending fabrication work offshore was “necessary to ensure the project is delivered on time”.

However, Mr McCartney said WA fabricators were confident of being able to handle the work.

He also suggested BHP’s comment that 75 per cent of the total value of the South Flank steel works “will be undertaken in WA by local steel manufacturers and workers” was misleading.

Mr McCartney said the 75 per cent figure included all the assembly work, which had to be done in WA anyway.

He has called on Mr McGowan to back up a commitment last year to pressure local miners to prioritise local jobs and content.

He is also intent on “keeping the acid on” BHP over the issue.

BHP expects about 85 per cent of South Flank spending to go to Australian companies.

• [Editor:王可]