Thiess secures $155m contract

Thiess has secured a $155 million contract to provide mining services at a greenfield copper mine in Chile.

South America-based miner Minera Centinela awarded to contract to Thiess to perform full-services mining at its Llano project.

Thiess’s scope of work includes mining operations, maintenance and asset management services at the copper mine.

The mining contractor also provides its services at the Encuentro Oxides copper project in Chile.

Thiess recently expanded its foothold in Western Australia after increasing its shareholding in MACA to 51.83 per cent, after completing the effective takeover in October. 

"We are pleased to collaborate with Minera Centinela to develop a mine of the future, focused on sustainable innovation, optimised production, and career development for the skilled mining professionals who make up the local workforce,” Thiess executive officer Michael Wright said.

“During the seven years we have been in Chile, we’ve built trusted partnerships with local communities, suppliers and our clients.

“We look forward to the future as we continue to work with Minera Centinela to redefine sustainable mining."

Thiess has also established partnerships with local suppliers to provide services and has committed to hire local employees within the area.

“Thiess will also double the number of women hired at Llano relative to mining in Chile, by expanding its existing scholarship program for women operators, and commencing the second cohort of apprenticeship program to train and empower women living in the Antofagasta region who have an interest in maintenance,” Thiess said in an ASX announcement.

In December, Thiess won a $345 million contract extension with Bayan Resources to continue its operations at the Melak Coal Mine in Indonesia.