Tag Archives: Michael Wright

Thiess to gain underground metals mining exposure with A$65 million PYBAR purchase

Thiess Pty Ltd, part of the Thiess Group, has signed an agreement with Metarock Group Ltd to acquire Australia-based underground metals business PYBAR Holdings Limited and its 100% subsidiary Pybar Mining Services Pty Ltd.

PYBAR will join the Thiess Group once the customary sale conditions are satisfied and the completion process is finalised.

The total headline consideration for PYBAR is A$65 million ($42.7 million), with all PYBAR employees to transfer with the business, including the senior management team led by James Glover, PYBAR CEO.

Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, said: “This acquisition is an ongoing part of Thiess’ strategy to diversify our commodities and the services we offer our clients. We are committed to developing a global mining portfolio, with a strong focus on the metals and minerals critical to the global energy transition.

“The PYBAR acquisition is key to this. PYBAR’s specialist skills will expand the Thiess Group’s service offering to our clients, and open up a pipeline of opportunities in underground metals and minerals across Australia and globally.”

Mastermyne (as Metarock was previously known) agreeed to buy PYBAR Mining Services in a cash and share deal that came with an equity purchase price of around A$47 million back in 2021. The acquisition saw Mastermyne, a metallurgical coal-focused contractor at the time, gain exposure to PYBAR’s gold, copper, zinc and lead-related revenues.

Wright added: “PYBAR’s 30 years of expertise and proven experience in underground mining is well known and respected, and we appreciate the commitment of their dedicated workforce. We will retain the PYBAR brand and will work with the leadership team to support their current clients, and grow PYBAR’s strong brand within and beyond their current markets.”

The Thiess Group operating companies’ industry experience, complementary portfolio of services and geographical reach, places the group in a strong position to enhance PYBAR’s value proposition to both their clients and their people, Thiess says.

Metarock says the cash proceeds from the sale will materially strengthen the balance sheet of Metarock and provide a platform for the company to capitalise on the significant growth pipeline across its remaining business units, Mastermyne, Wilson Mining and MyneSight.

Thiess opens ‘dynamic hub’ for mining truck rebuilds

Thiess has celebrated the official opening of its new Thiess Rebuild Centre on Batam Island, Indonesia, a facility that, it says, will serve as a dynamic hub for rebuilding Thiess’ mining trucks, equipment and components for its operations in Asia and Australia.

The official opening brought together many dignitaries and stakeholders, including Mayor of Batam and Head of BP Batam, Muhammad Rudi, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams, Chairman of Kabil Integrated Industrial Estate Group, Kris Wiluan, clients and industry leaders, key suppliers, community representatives and Thiess employees, to witness the unveiling of a facility that will elevate Thiess’ global capabilities in asset management and asset services.

Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, said: “This purpose built, state-of-th-art rebuild centre enables Thiess to play a bigger role in the future of sustainable mining. The rebuilt equipment and components will result in improved machine productivities, incorporating product updates and technology improvements, and delivering enhanced mining efficiencies at lower costs for our clients.

“It also establishes a platform for Thiess to explore decarbonisation and alternative fuel technologies, as well as the opportunity to provide these services to our clients in the future.”

Thiess Group Executive of Asset Management, Autonomy & Digital, Ramesh Liyanage, explained that the rebuild centre will enable Thiess to retrofit rebuilt trucks with clean fuel technologies upon availability, instead of simply replacing end-of-life trucks with conventional diesel trucks currently on the market.

“The Thiess Rebuild Centre is the perfect demonstration of how we can leverage our global expertise and come together to provide sustainable solutions for our clients’ operations, as well as deliver asset management services to the mining sector globally,” he said.

Thiess’ Batam Engineering General Manager, Daryl Albury, added: “We have just completed our first two zero-hour rebuild Cat 789 trucks, which will be heading to Thiess’ Australian operations. The rebuild successfully reset the usage on these trucks to zero hours, extending their lives by a further 50,000 to 60,000 hours each.

“We currently have another eight 789s stripped back and ready to go through a complete overhaul of all major components, as well as a full refurbishment of their chassis and all electrical systems, and technology updates. By the end of 2024, we expect to have around 65 trucks fully rebuilt, a great result for Year one.”

Thiess says it is committed to offering employment, training and development opportunities to local communities where it operates around the world. For the Batam Island communities, this includes opportunities for local people to enter Thiess’ leading apprentice program, as well as for local students to participate in work experience with Thiess, with the goal of furthering their future employment opportunities.

Thiess re-enters the Northern Territory with GEMCO manganese contract

Thiess has been awarded a three-year contract with GEMCO, a manganese operation on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, owned jointly by South32 and Anglo American.

The mining services contract, valued at approximately A$120 million ($79 million), marks Thiess’s re-entry into the Northern Territory.

Thiess says it is committed to efficient and safe mining operations, sustainability, and local community engagement and employment.

Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, said: “This award demonstrates Thiess’ commitment to delivering sustainable mining solutions for our clients, strongly supporting the further development of the local community. For Thiess, the continued diversification into different commodities needed for the energy transition is a key part of our strategy, with manganese playing a crucial role in steel production and having the potential to replace cobalt cathodes in lithium-ion batteries.”

The three-year deal, with the potential for a two-year extension, encompasses a range of services critical to GEMCO’s manganese operation. Thiess will supply, operate and maintain the equipment for the pre-strip mining operations, as well as undertaking the design and construction of support infrastructure, including workshops and related mobile maintenance facilities.

Thiess Group Executive Australia West, David Greig, said: “This contract win represents a significant milestone for Thiess as we re-enter the Northern Territory.

“This contract award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our Australia East and West regional teams, showcasing the strength and synergy within Thiess. It reflects our ability to leverage expertise from across our company to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.”

This contract win follows the scope awarded to FleetCo earlier this year, which included the provision and major servicing of excavators, trucks and ancillary equipment.

Thiess-Batam

Thiess ramps up truck rebuilding capability in Indonesia

Thiess says it has demonstrated commitment to expanding its truck and component rebuilding capabilities on a large scale with the execution of a lease for a new facility at Kabil Integrated Industrial Estate on Batam Island, Indonesia.

Thiess has an extensive fleet of mining haulage trucks in Indonesia and Australia, including more than 650 that will reach the end of their service life in the next eight years and require either replacement or rebuilding, it says.

Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, said: “The new truck rebuild facility at Kabil Estate is an integral part of a strategic initiative to equip Thiess with better control over our asset replacement and rebuild program, and deliver improved financial and sustainability outcomes for our clients and shareholders.

“We are pleased to have secured this site that is centrally located between our Indonesian and Australian operations, with world class facilities and transport and logistics services – the professionalism and support from Kabil Estate has enabled swift mobilisation and we are on track for first production by December 2023.

“This rebuild facility also establishes a platform for Thiess to explore decarbonisation and alternative fuel technologies, as well as the opportunity to provide these services for our clients in the future.”

Kabil Integrated Industrial Estate Group Chairman, Kris Wiluan, said: “We are delighted to welcome Thiess as a valued addition to Kabil Estate. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, strategic location, and a focus on sustainability, we look forward to providing Thiess with a competitive advantage in its operations in Indonesia and Australia while supporting its ecofriendly initiatives.”

Thiess Batam Engineering General Manager, Daryl Albury, said: “Our new facility at Kabil Estate will enable Thiess to reset the usage clock on up to 160 trucks per year to zero hours, through a complete overhaul, including all major components, a full refurbishment of electrical systems and returning all worn components to original equipment manufacturer specification.

“The zero-hour rebuild is expected to extend the service life of each of Thiess’ Caterpillar mining trucks by a further 40,000 to 60,000 hours.”

Thiess Group Executive Assets, Technical Services and Technology, Ramesh Liyanage, said: “Thiess’ reputation for certainty of delivery is built on our expertise in asset management and fleet maintenance, with component rebuild centres across our operations for decades.

“This new truck rebuild facility is the next step up in the evolution of our capabilities and service offerings.”

Thiess’ existing rebuild facilities in Perth, Brisbane and the Hunter Valley in Australia, and in Balikpapan in Indonesia, have a track record in rebuilds and refurbishments of trucks, dozers and components for the company’s fleet of mining assets, as well as limited fee-for-service rebuilds of client assets.

Thiess Rehabilitation to deliver rehabilitation services at Muswellbrook coal mine

Thiess Rehabilitation says it has secured a two-year contract with Idemitsu Australia’s Muswellbrook Coal Company (MCC) to deliver rehabilitation services at the Muswellbrook coal mine, in the upper Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.

Thiess Rehabilitation will conduct detailed design and construction of the post-mining landform, creating a combination of native ecosystem and pasture land uses that generate approximately 180 ha of rehabilitated land across MCC’s open-cut mine, it said.

This is the second contract with Idemitsu Australia for Thiess Rehabilitation, having been awarded the rehabilitation services contract for Idemitsu Australia’s Ensham mine in Queensland in July 2022.

Thiess Rehabilitation Group Manager, James Anderson, said: “The Muswellbrook contract demonstrates the growing strength of our relationship with Idemitsu Australia, and builds on the hard work and solid performance of our team at Ensham.

“Muswellbrook coal mine also holds special significance for Thiess. The mine’s open-cut operations began in 1944 and that contract was awarded to our founders, the Thiess Brothers, marking both the start of Thiess’ mining business, as well as the start of Thiess’ presence in the Hunter region.

“Given our legacy at Muswellbrook coal mine, Thiess Rehabilitation is excited to be given the responsibility to deliver value to this site and to the community through the site’s post-mining transition.”

Idemitsu’s CEO, Steve Kovac, said: “Muswellbrook Coal has been owned by Idemitsu since 1989 and has a very proud history. Now that mining and processing operations have been completed at the site, Idemitsu is progressing plans to develop the Muswellbrook Clean Industries Precinct at the site.

“A critical part of these future plans is the rehabilitation of the mining operational areas, and we are pleased to have a specialist with proven experience to help deliver our rehabilitation goals. We look forward to working with Thiess Rehabilitation once again.”

Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, said: “Thiess has delivered award winning rehabilitation programs globally for more than 30 years. We’re proud that Thiess Rehabilitation is continuing this tradition of excellence as a trusted partner in sustainable mining operations.”

MACA wins load and haul contract with Atlas Iron’s McPhee Creek project

MACA says it has been awarded the mining contract at Atlas Iron’s McPhee Creek project, in the northeast Pilbara region of Western Australia, approximately 100 km north of the Roy Hill Mine.

Thiess Group Executive Australia West and MACA CEO, David Greig, said: “MACA has a strong, 20-year history servicing the resources and construction industries, and has built long standing client relationships during this period. We are now operating as a Thiess company, and I am delighted with the effort between both companies to continue to support these relationships and critical project development in Western Australia.”

“We’ve been working with Atlas for almost 15 years across our crushing, civil and mining businesses, and I look forward to working with them once again on the McPhee Creek project,” he said.

Thiess Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, added: “It is very pleasing to see MACA’s ongoing commitment to their clients. They have great people who pride themselves in providing value across a broad range of services.”

The three-year project scope includes mine load and haul of up to 10 Mt/y, before being transported to Roy Hill for processing. The project is anticipated to employ 145 people at peak operations and will include partnerships with local Indigenous businesses.

Thiess extends mining services stay at Wahana and Hanoman mines in Indonesia

Thiess says it has received contract extensions in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, at the Wahana coal mine from Bayan Resources and at the Hanoman coal mine from PT Cakrawala Langit Sejahtera , which mines the pits in the Satui area owned by Arutmin, part of Bumi Resources.

With a combined value of A$480 million ($320 million) over more than three years, Thiess will extend its mining services, including drill and blast, load and haul, and pit dewatering.

Thiess Executive Chair & CEO, Michael Wright, said: “We are excited to continue to deliver sustainable mining outcomes for our longstanding partners Bayan and PT CLS by working the two adjacent mines.

“These extensions reinforce our capability and credentials for operational excellence. They also give us opportunities to showcase our passionate commitment to diversity and inclusion, where we continue to increase the participation of women and people with disability in our workforce.”

Thiess President Director, Indonesia, Jeffrey Kounang, added: “The solutions we provide for both clients enable our team to maximise resource recoveries and optimise the reserves of both operations. We are proud to continuously live up to our clients’ expectations and deliver on our promises.

“We are also very pleased to be able to continue working with the Satui community, which started back in the early 2000s, to help create lasting social and economic values.”

These contract awards build on two separate agreements Thiess has signed in Indonesia, both announced this week. Thiess successfully extended a long-term contract with Bayan Resources to continue providing mining services at the Melak mining complex, in East Kalimantan, while it also secured an agreement with Kaltim Prima Coal to extend its current mining services contract and to provide fleet hire services at Sangatta mine, also in East Kalimantan.

Thiess extends KPC stay and bolts on hire services for Sangatta mine

Thiess has secured an agreement with Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) to extend its current mining services contract and to provide fleet hire services at Sangatta mine, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

With revenues of A$210 million ($141 million) and commencing in January 2023, Thiess will expand its services from land preparation, load and haul, asset management and rehabilitation, to include equipment hire and maintenance.

Thiess Executive Chair & CEO, Michael Wright, said: “The KPC mine in Sangatta has been an important part of the Thiess business for more than 30 years. We are proud to continue contributing to our client’s ongoing success, while extending our strong record of safe operations.

“We also welcome the opportunity to continue to work with the Sangatta community where we have been involved for some 30 years.”

Thiess President Director, Indonesia, Jeffrey Kounang, said: “Our team in Sangatta played a significant role in securing this extension, managing operations safely and meeting our client’s expectations, despite the often challenging weather impacts. And they did this while achieving a fantastic record of 10 million work hours injury free!

“This extension gives us the opportunity to continue delivering sustainable results for the client and the community, which we are so passionate about.”

Thiess has been working with KPC since October 2003 and currently undertakes a range of contract mining services for four of KPC’s pits including mine planning, stripping, blasting, overburden removal, mining and stockpiling.

Thiess to carry on with full mining services at Bayan Resources’ Melak complex

Thiess says it has successfully extended a long-term contract with Bayan Resources to continue providing mining services at the Melak mining complex, in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Starting in May 2023, Thiess will continue to provide full mining services including load and haul, drill and blast, coal hauling and road maintenance and rehabilitation.

Thiess previously announced an extension at the operation back in 2019.

Thiess Executive Chair & CEO, Michael Wright, said: “Thiess has been delivering excellent outcomes for Bayan Resources at Melak since 2008. We strive to continue providing sustainable mining solutions for Bayan, building on our long, successful partnership.

“This extension is a testament to our ability to deliver long-term safe and sustainable operations in Indonesia, while we continue to work on expanding our operations in other areas.”

Thiess President Director, Indonesia, Jeffrey Kounang, said: “We are pleased to be extending our operations at Melak where we have delivered exceptional outcomes for the client and community for the past 14 years, continuing our relationship with Bayan Resources.

“We are also excited about our collaboration with the West Kutai community in continuing to build a positive legacy.”

In 2008, Thiess was awarded a contract to develop and operate the Melak greenfield coal mine. The mine is divided into the two different mine concessions, Teguh Sinar Abadi and Firman Ketaun Perkasa.

Thiess to continue providing mining solutions to BMA’s Caval Ridge mine

Thiess says its mining services contract with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for the Caval Ridge operations in Queensland, Australia, has been extended for potentially another five years.

The contract, which starts on December 1, 2022, for a potential term of up to five years, has revenue to Thiess valued up to A$600 million ($389 million), it said.

Under this contract, Thiess will continue to provide mining services at the Caval Ridge mine, operating and maintaining mining equipment to move overburden to support BMA’s production requirements.

Thiess Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, said: “Thiess has been providing mining solutions to BMA at Caval Ridge since December 2017. Importantly, our team continues to have a clear commitment and focus on fostering diversity and respectful workplaces, with almost 30% of the workforce being female and 10% being Indigenous.

“We continue to seek opportunities to bring under-represented groups into the mining industry, and delivering sustainable mining solutions for our clients and stakeholders.”

Thiess Executive General Manager Australia East, Cluny Randell, said: “We’re very proud to build on our safe and strong performance at Caval Ridge, and extend our deep working relationship with BMA. We will continue to drive long-term economic value by creating local jobs and regional supply opportunities, and supporting the communities where we operate.”

Caval Ridge is one of nine metallurgical coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin. It is a part of BMA, the 50:50 joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Development.