Northern Star’s Jundee Airport now handling E190 aircraft

By Andrew Curran.

Northern Star Resources has completed an upgrade of the airport that services its Jundee mining operations, located approximately 800 kilometres north-east of Perth. The 2,095-metre single asphalt runway is now accepting E190 aircraft that ferry miners and supplies to and from Perth (PER).

The upgrade of Jundee (YJUN) follows Northern Star acquiring the facility in 2014 for AUD82.5 million (USD58.3 million). National Jet Express currently holds the contract to fly the workforce back and forth to Perth and, until the upgrade was completed, primarily used DHC-8-Q400s to do so. It has now added E190-100LRs to the mix.

Northern Star’s Jundee mining operation, which is now all underground, spans some 48,000 hectares of mining and exploration leases over a 45-kilometre strike site.

The upgrade's most significant outcome is the sealing the runway's entire length. Previously, the surface was mostly gravel, with 200-metre sealed asphalt sections at either end to help with initial take-offs and landings. It was good enough to handle light and regional aircraft.

Now a full-length asphalt runway, Jundee’s new pavement classification allows it to handle jet aircraft.

Other work done during the upgrade included the installation of S4GA solar-powered precision approach path indicator lights, new line marking, and new terminal facilities. The airport can operate around the clock.

The nearest commercial airport is Wiluna (WUN), around 50 kilometres away.

Jundee’s 600 plus workforce mostly work rosters of either eight days on and six days off or 14 days on and seven days off. Most fly in and out on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Like most remote sites, the shifts are long, but the on-site facilities are good. In this case, in addition to single occupancy accommodation and meals, Northern Star lays on two squash courts, a fully-equipped gymnasium, a tennis court, a basketball court, a beach volleyball court, a mini-AFL ground, a swimming pool and a well-equipped tavern/shop.

National Jet Express operates a fleet of 24 aircraft, including twelve Q400s, eight E190-100LRs, and four BAe 146-300(QT)s. Approximately 15 of these aircraft, including all the E190s, are based in Perth and support the airline’s charter and fly-in-fly-out work.

Aside from Northern Start Resources, National Jet Express’s mining and resources customers include BHP, Chevron, ABRA Mining, Glencore, Lynas, Westgold, and AIM Mining Corporation, among others.