Thiess has been awarded an A$185 million, one year extension to its contract to operate the Meandu coal mine which supplies Stanwell Corporation’s Tarong and Tarong North power stations in Queensland’s South Burnett. Managing Director Bruce Munro said the contract extension until December 2012 reaffirms the strong relationship between Stanwell Corporation and Thiess. “Thiess is proud of the critical role we play in providing coal for electricity generation in Queensland and we’re delighted to continue our partnership with Stanwell Corporation,” he said. Thiess Australian Mining Executive General Manager Michael Wright said the contract extension is particularly significant as it’s a vote of confidence in the company’s management of last summer’s floods: “The floods presented enormous challenges at Meandu, but innovative mine management minimised the impact on coal delivery.”

Since commencing as Meandu mine operator in 2008, Thiess has worked closely with Stanwell Corporation (formerly Tarong Energy) to extend the life of the mine. Meandu is supplying up to 5.5 Mt/y of coal to Tarong and Tarong North, which provide around 20% of Queensland’s electricity needs. Thiess has increased its plant capacity at Meandu with an additional five Cat 789 haul trucks and a Cat D11 dozer to assist with bulk pushing. In late September,  PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia also bagged a coal deal when it signed a US$500 million contract with PT Bayan Resources Tbk which extends the existing contract by three years for the further development and operation of the Teguh Sinar Abadi and Firman Ketaun Perkasa Coal Mines, near Melak in East Kalimantan.