Coal mine

Theiss, a subsidiary of Leighton Holdings, has won a $550m contract expansion from Jellinbah Resources to increase coal production at Lake Vermont Coal mine in Central Queensland, Australia.

The contract will see Theiss help increase the mine’s production from six million tonnes to eight million tonnes of coal per annum over the remaining five years of the current deal.

The latest deal expands on the $2.3bn contract Theiss was awarded at the mine in 2012.

Lake Vermont Mine, owned by the Lake Vermont joint venture (JV), is an open cut mine which produces hard coking coal and PCI coal.

Jellinbah Group holds a 70% stake in the JV and other co-partners include Marubeni Coal, Sojitz Coal and AMCI, which each hold a 10% stake.

Commenting on the latest contract, Jellinbah Resources chief executive officer Greg Chalmers said the additional production at Lake Vermont Coal Mine will ensure the company is able to maintain a profitable future for the plant.

"By working closely with Thiess, we believe we can deliver the efficiencies required to ensure the mine remains competitive on a global scale and provide a small boost to the economy at a local, state and national level," Chalmers added.

Thiess managing director Bruce Munro said, "We continue to work with our client Jellinbah Resources to reduce costs and safely improve productivities across every aspect of the mining operations, from plant and equipment to local sourcing and empowering our people."


Image: The contract will see Theiss help increase the mine’s production from six million tonnes to eight million tonnes of coal per annum. Photo: Courtesy of Thiess.

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