Thiess secures $925m mining services contract for Mount Pleasant mine

CIMIC Group company Thiess has been appointed by MACH Energy as preferred mining services contractor for the Mount Pleasant thermal coal project in New South Wales. 

The two companies are now in negotiation to finalise the approximately $925 million four-and-a-half-year contract, with contract execution to commence in April 2022. 

Scope of works under this new contract award include full scope mining services such as drill and blast, load and haul, mining as well as run of mine rehandling services. The contract will also cover equipment maintenance and progressive rehabilitation of the mine. 

Thiess has been in operation at the Mount Pleasant project since 2017, providing greenfield mining services that applies “industry best practice mining development and operations with uncompromising environmental and safety standards”. 

“We are pleased to continue building on our strong relationship with MACH Energy and on positively contributing to the local economy. We look forward to enabling the long-term success of the Mount Pleasant Operation and its surrounding communities,” Thiess Executive General Manager for Australia Shaun Newberry said. 

Thiess added in a statement: “Subject to execution, Thiess will continue to draw on local businesses for the provision of goods and services to support the mine and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse, local workforce.” 

The Mount Pleasant thermal coal project is located approximately 2.5 kilometres from Muswellbrook in New South Wales’ Upper Hunter Valley. MACH Energy acquired the mine from Rio Tinto in 2015. 

In December 2020, Sedgman – also a CIMIC Group company – was awarded a $120 million contract extension that will allow the company to continue delivering maintenance services to the Mount Pleasant Coal Handling and Preparation facility for another three years. You can read more about it here. 

Source: Thiess; CIMIC Group; Australian Mining; MACH Energy