Tag Archives: Michael Wright

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

Coal technology, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Coal technology, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , ,

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

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , , ,

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

Coal technology, Equipment maintenance, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

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.

Thiess named preferred mining services provider for Rex’s Hillside copper-gold project

Base metals, Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

Thiess says it has been named preferred mining services provider for the Hillside copper-gold project on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia.

Rex Minerals Ltd, owner of the project, has notified Thiess of its intention to enter into exclusive negotiations to finalise the terms of a five-year mining contract.

Subject to a contract being concluded, which Rex says is expected to occur by the end of the year, Thiess is expected to deliver mining services and operate and maintain mining fleets to support the greenfield copper operation.

Rex says it plans to mine the open-pit orebody in five stages with selective ore mining and stockpiling. Average total rock movement from the open pit is expected to be 60 Mt/y.

Thiess, Rex says, has shown genuine willingness to join the company and drive down project costs, including:

  • Developing appropriate and flexible mining equipment options;
  • The early integration of personnel to assist with the project planning including optimal mine infrastructure area (MIA) layouts, and;
  • Use of Thiess’ proven HSE systems to further de-risk the project with a planned commencement in early 2023.

Thiess Executive Chair & CEO, Michael Wright, said: “We are delighted to be taking the next steps towards a partnership with Rex Minerals on the Hillside project. In line with our strategy to diversify our commodities and services, we are positioning Thiess at the forefront of sustainable mining. We share Rex Minerals’ belief in the significant contribution that metals make to a renewable future, and to the local communities and broader economy.”

Thiess Executive General Manager for Australia West, Spencer Jose, said: “We look forward to collaborating with Rex Minerals, the Narungga People, local businesses and the community to deliver safe, strong operational performance and sustainable outcomes for all of our people and stakeholders.”

Mining services are expected to commence in July 2023, subject to finalisation of contracts.

Thiess targets WA hard-rock mining sector expansion with MACA offer

Automation, Base metals, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Thiess looks like gaining further market share in the key hard-rock mining market of Western Australia after having a bid accepted for fellow mining contractor MACA.

The all-cash offer to acquire 100% of the shares of the company at A$1.0251/share represents a 42.2% premium to the MACA one month volume weighted average price as of July 25, 2022.

MACA’s Board has unanimously recommended that its shareholders accept the offer in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to an independent expert concluding, and continuing to conclude, that the offer is favourable to MACA shareholders.

Thiess says it intends to operate MACA in materially the same manner supported by MACA’s workforce, brand and assets, and to continue its highly regarded community partnerships.

The proposed acquisition of MACA by the Thiess is consistent with its diversification strategy, with a particular emphasis on increasing its presence within metals and minerals hard-rock mining operations in Western Australia, it says.

To this point, the company’s Western Australian hard-rock mining exposure has consisted mostly of work with BHP’s Western Australian nickel assets, in addition to a recent contract award at the Covalent Lithium Joint Venture project.

MACA has exposure to the state’s iron ore sector thanks to contracts with Fortescue and BHP; the burgeoning gold segment through contracts with Regis Resources, Ramelius Resources, Capricorn Metals and Red 5; and nickel and lithium exposure from the Ravensthorpe mine and Pilgangoora project, respectively.

Thiess also said in its Bidder Statement that it sees “a significant opportunity to combine the operational capability of both companies to continue enhancing service quality, particularly in relation to technical solutions such as deploying autonomous machinery or reducing the carbon emissions of mining services on project sites”.

Back in March, MACA announced a partnership with SafeAI to form an MoU to retrofit a mixed fleet of 100 mining trucks across multiple locations with autonomous mining technologies.

Michael Wright, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Thiess, said: “We believe our offer is an attractive opportunity for MACA shareholders as it provides certainty of cash, a strong premium and an ability to achieve liquidity for their entire MACA shareholding. We are pleased to have the support of the MACA Board for our Offer.

“The proposed acquisition of MACA is an important part of Thiess’ strategy to diversify its operations across commodities, services and geographies. Thiess has a high regard for MACA’s service quality, and we believe our industry experience positions us well to enhance MACA’s value proposition to clients and employees. We recognise and intend to maintain and grow MACA’s strong brand and presence in the Western Australian market. Thiess also looks forward to supporting MACA to meet the evolving needs of its client base through promoting further investment in low emission and technology-led solutions.”

Thiess receives A$450 million contract extension from QCoal

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Thiess says it has been awarded a A$450 million ($310 million) contract extension by QCoal to continue operations at the QCoal Northern Hub, which comprises Sonoma, Cows, Drake and Jax mines, located near Collinsville, Queensland, Australia.

Commencing in July 2022, the three-year contract will see Thiess continue to provide full mining services including statutory control of the site, all mining activities, maintenance and asset management, and rehabilitation works.

Thiess Executive Chair and CEO, Michael Wright, said: “We are proud of our long association with QCoal which has included a joint focus on mining efficiency, sustainability and ongoing rehabilitation works. This extension reflects our team’s track record of safe and consistent delivery of mining services for QCoal. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with QCoal for the next three years and beyond.”

Thiess Executive General Manager for Australia, Shaun Newberry, said: “We’re excited to continue our work at the QCoal Northern Hub where we have consistently provided innovative and low-cost mining solutions. Thiess has been part of the Collinsville community since 1995 and we are delighted to remain a significant regional employer and contributor to the local economy.”

Thiess to return to Central Kalimantan with new mining, rehab and port management contract

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , , , , , ,

Thiess says it has been awarded a life-of-mine contract to provide mining, rehabilitation and port management services by PT Kapuas Tunggal Persada and PT Tempirai Inti Energi in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Thiess will operate the adjacent Kapuas Tunggal Persada (KTP) and Global Bara Mandiri (GBM) mines and will deliver turnkey operations, including mine design and planning, drill and blast, overburden removal, load and haul, asset maintenance and management, haul road maintenance, water management, rehabilitation and port operations, it said.

Commencing from July 2022, with revenue of A$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) over eight years, this contract marks Thiess’ return to Central Kalimantan.

Thiess Executive Chair & CEO, Michael Wright, said: “We’re excited to work with our new client who shares the same passion for sustainable mining practices and outcomes as we do.

“This new contract is an opportunity to continue our record of delivering excellence for our clients in Indonesia, with a clear focus on safe, responsible production and industry leading rehabilitation.”

Thiess Executive General Manager Asia, Cluny Randell, added: “This contract is recognition of our team’s ability to deliver long-term performance and productivity gains for clients.

“We look forward to working together with our client and the local communities to deliver long-term social, environmental and economic value.”

A day earlier, Thiess confirmed that its mining services contract at Peak Downs Mine in Queensland, Australia, had been extended for another five years by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).

Located southeast of Moranbah, Peak Downs is an open-pit mine producing high-quality steelmaking coal and is one of Australia’s largest mines by recoverable coal reserves.

Under the contract, Thiess will continue to operate and maintain mining equipment to move additional overburden at the mine and support BMA’s production requirements over the next five years. Starting from July 2022, revenue to Thiess is worth over A$700 million.

Thiess to deliver mine planning and engineering services to Tata Steel

Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

Thiess says it has entered into a business cooperation agreement to deliver mine planning and engineering services to Tata Steel.

Under the agreement, the contract miner will also collaborate with Tata Steel to deliver competitive integrated business solutions to the global mining industry.

Tata Steel is one of the world’s most geographically diversified steel producers, providing fully integrated steel operations – from mining to the manufacturing and marketing of finished products.

Thiess Executive Chairman & CEO, Michael Wright, said: “With a shared focus on value creation and sustainability, this agreement is the foundation for a strong partnership and complements our efforts to diversify our services and accelerate our growth across commodities and geographies.”

Tata Steel Vice President (Raw Materials), D.B Sundara Raman, said: “We have been in the mining business for more than a century providing various exploration and mine planning services to our captive mines for sustainable mining. We are pleased to start offering our mine technical services commercially through Tata Steel Industrial Consulting to the mining industry outside Tata Steel.

“This agreement with Thiess will complement our capabilities and capacities to raise the standards of such services in India in particular and internationally in general for more scientific and sustainable mine development.”

Tata Steel will work closely with the Thiess India Engineering Hub, which provides technical support to Thiess’ global operations, including geotechnical and mine engineering, technology service delivery, business process automation and learning & development services.

Thiess wins three-year extension at Harum Energy’s Mahakam Sumber Jaya mine

Coal technology, Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , ,

Thiess says it has been awarded a three-year contract renewal to provide mining services at Harum Energy’s Mahakam Sumber Jaya coal mine in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Under the contract extension, commencing from April 1, 2023, Thiess will continue providing mine design and planning, drill and blast, overburden removal, load and haul, asset maintenance and management, rehabilitation, water management and haul road maintenance services.

Thiess Executive Chairman & CEO, Michael Wright, said: “Thiess is proud to continue its longstanding relationship with Harum Energy at MSJ, where we’ve worked with our client to deliver sustainable mining services since the mine was developed in 2008.

“This contract enables us to continue our record of delivering certainty for our client, with a clear focus on safe and sustainable production and rehabilitation.”

Thiess Executive General Manager – Asia, Cluny Randell, added: “This contract renewal is great recognition of our team’s ability to partner and grow together with our client and deliver long-term performance and productivity gains for Harum Energy.

“We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with our client and the community of Kutai Kartanegara, where we’ve worked together during COVID-19 to provide vaccinations for the local communities.”