Whittens Group has won its fifth major contract for this year with a $58 million works package for BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Caval Ridge coal project in Queensland. The contract award is part of the US$200 million Caval Ridge Southern Circuit project.
“Investments like this are essential in establishing a pipeline of long-term employment opportunities, and it’s only because of the work by large resources companies like BMA, and their commitment to Queensland that we can ensure these investments continue to benefit the broader Australian resources sector.
“Importantly, BMA has awarded this contract to an Australian owned company, Whittens, to deliver work,” Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said.
Initial works will commence next month as part of the construction of an overland conveyor system which will be transporting coal from Peak Downs Mine to the Coal Handling Preparation Plant (CHPP) at the Caval Ridge Mine.
“Whittens will recruit additional personnel to bolster their oprerator workforce and deliver the integral early stage civil works for this project. There are great opportunities for skilled operators from across the Bowen Basin to be involved,” BMA Asset President Rag Udd said.
Under Whittens’ contract, works will involve civil construction and earthworks which includes construction of access roads and pavements, drainage and in-ground water and electrical services, structural concrete construction, building foundations for an 11-kilometre overland conveyor system and tie-in infrastructure, and a run-of-mine pad.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our company and we’re looking forward to further strengthening our strong presence in central and northern Queensland.
“We see ourselves as being an integral partner with large companies like BHP, and when it comes to the resources sector more broadly we’re in this for the long-haul,” Whittens Director Clayton Whitten said.
The entire Caval Ridge Southern Circuit project is expected to support up to 400 new construction jobs as well as approximately 200 ongoing operational positions. This project will also help increase the Caval Ridge preparation plant’s throughput to reach capacity of 10 million tonnes annually.
Construction of the project is expected to be completed in late 2018.
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Source: Business News WA and Whittens Group