Bravus Mining and Resources has awarded an A$2bn ($1.3bn) contract to MacKellar Group for mining services at the Carmichael mine in central Queensland, reported Australia Mining.

The five-year agreement aims to enhance efficiency and production at the thermal coal mine near Clermont.

Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe said: “This decision secures the operational efficiency of Carmichael for today and sets a platform for growth in the future.

“It also gives the 1000 MacKellar workers who travel to and from Townsville, Rockhampton, the Isaac Region, Cairns or Mackay to work at our Carmichael mine confidence about their futures, and that is something we are very proud of.”

The contract, which includes risk and reward mechanisms, is the result of a competitive tender process and is expected to provide long-term operational stability for the mine.

The partnership with MacKellar has been ongoing since groundbreaking at the mine in 2019.

Since the commencement of construction, Bravus has invested more than A$2bn in regional Queensland contractors and businesses.

The mine, which transitioned to operations in 2022, has achieved a production rate exceeding ten million tonnes per annum of export-quality coal.

The Carmichael mine is a significant regional employer, with more than 1,200 permanent staff and approximately 750 workers on site at any given time.

Employment efforts focus on Townsville and Rockhampton, with additional recruitment from Clermont and the Isaac Region.

The coal produced at the Carmichael mine is sold internationally, with its destinations varying based on market demand.

Bravius is Adani’s Australian business arm and was re-branded following the company’s tenth anniversary of operations in Australia in November 2020.