Jellinbah extends contract with Thiess

Australian mining contractor, Thiess, has been awarded a contract extension worth AUS1.3 billion by Jellinbah Group to continue its operations at Lake Vermont coal mine in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, Australia.

Jellinbah Group is a privately-owned independent coal company based in Brisbane. It has stakes in two mines in Queensland: Jellinbah coal mine and Lake Vermont, which is responsible for about two-thirds of the company’s 12.5 million tpa production.

“This is an important commitment for both companies,” said Jellinbah CEO, Greg Chalmers. “Thiess has proactively worked with us to ensure that the Lake Vermont mine remains competitive on a global scale, driving value through innovated technical solutions and a focus on operational outcomes.”

The three-year contract extension continues Thiess’ turnkey mining operations until December 2021, continuing a working relationship that goes back to 2007 when Thiess was contracted to build the mine infrastructure, including coal handling preparation plant, site office and workshop.

Thiess began turnkey mining operations, including mine planning, operations, maintenance, processing and loading the product on the train, at Lake Vermont in 2008, while it also won the contract to expand the mine’s infrastructure to support an increase in production in 2012.

“The extension at Lake Vermont reflects the strong performance of our operational and technical teams and their daily commitments to working with out clients in a safe and production manner,” said Thiess’ Managing Director, Michael Wright.

Lake Vermont is an opencast operation producing hard coking coal and low-volatile PCI coal. Jellinbah Group has a 70% stake in the mine, with Marubeni Group, Sojitz Coal and AMCI each holding 10% interests.

The contract win further cements Thiess’ place as a leading contract miner in the coal industry. Earlier this month, the company announced it had been awarded contract extensions at Glencore’s Mt Owen mine in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, and the Ukhaa Khudag coal mine in Mongolia.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/14122015/jellinbah-extends-contract-with-thiess-3281/