PHIC warmly congratulates BHP on receiving the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration’s Golden Gecko Award for its Native Seed Project at the Yandi mine site. This outstanding initiative demonstrates BHP’s deep commitment to environmental restoration and community engagement. As a valued PHIC member, we are thrilled to see their leadership and innovation recognised at this level.
We also extend our congratulations to BiSN, whose wel-lok technology received a Golden Gecko Award for its contribution to permanent, gas-tight barriers during well abandonment, aiding in environmental protection and rehabilitation.
The Port Hedland Industries Council (PHIC) is honoured to have been named a finalist in the 2025 Golden Gecko Awards for Environmental Excellence, for its work on the Greater Port Hedland Vertebrate Pest Management Program (VPMP).
Being recognised among such a high calibre of nominations is a meaningful acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts between industry, community, and government to protect the Pilbara’s unique biodiversity.
The VPMP, coordinated by PHIC since 2022, builds on more than a decade of work that began in 2009, when individual PHIC members started aligning their support for collaborative environmental initiatives. By 2017, the program had evolved into a broadscale, multi-tenure approach to managing feral pests such as cats and foxes— resulting in strong trends of reduced numbers of predators. Turtle nest predation has dropped from nearly 90% to almost zero, saving more than 61,800 turtle eggs. Native species such as flatback turtles, northern quolls, and bilbies are returning to areas they haven’t inhabited in years.
We also extend our congratulations to Minister David Michael for the success of the Golden Gecko Awards and for hosting such an impressive event. The awards continue to make a meaningful impact by celebrating environmental excellence and inspiring future stewardship across Western Australia.
PHIC extends its heartfelt thanks to its members—BHP, Fortescue, Hancock Iron Ore, Pilbara Ports, Mineral Resources, Pilbara Minerals, and Consolidated Minerals—for their financial and in-kind support. Special thanks also go to Care for Hedland for their tireless dedication, and to our partners APA Group, Rio Tinto Dampier Salt, and the Town of Port Hedland for their ongoing collaboration, Platform Communications Pty Ltd our marketing communications partner and to Natural Area our VPMP delivery partner.
PHIC remains committed to working alongside its members and partners to foster a thriving, sustainable future for the Pilbara.
See the Minister’s announcement here – https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/award-winners-driving-change-was-resources-sector