Thiess extends OZ Minerals deal

Leighton Holdings subsidiary Thiess has won a six-year, $1 billion extension to its mining operations contract at OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill copper and gold mine in South Australia.

Thiess managing director Bruce Munro said the award would see Thiess undertake mining operations at Prominent Hill until 2018.

He said the company was well underway in planning, preparing and training for the ramp-up, which requires a substantial expansion of Thiess’ existing operation.

“This contract is recognition of Thiess’ strong partnership with OZ Minerals, a relationship built since 2006 when Thiess undertook the construction of infrastructure and then the mining for the greenfield operation at Prominent Hill,” Mr Munro said.

The expansion is expected to employ an additional 170 people, taking the total mining workforce to 550 at peak.