Leighton Contractors says it has been awarded two new gold mining contracts, one in Western Australia and one in the Northern Territory, totalling $317 million.

The first, a $200 million contract awarded by Newcrest Mining Ltd, is for works at Telfer – one of the largest gold mines in Australia, located 450km ESE of Port Hedland on the edge of Great Sandy Desert.

Under the 27-month contract, Leighton Contractors will provide mining equipment, operators, maintenance and supervisory personnel, and infrastructure including workshops and offices to the project.

The second is a three-year, $117 million contract for Crocodile Gold Australia Operations Pty Ltd at the Cosmo Deeps underground gold mine, located 140km SSE of Darwin and 50km NW of Pine Creek in the NT.

This contract, commencing in April, will see the provision of complete mining services, including shortterm scheduling, diamond drilling, decline and level development, ground support installation and shotcreting, production drilling, blasting and haulage. There is also provision for a contract extension, with the mine life currently estimated at 10 years.

Steven Keyser, Executive General Manager at Leighton Contractors, said the company’s existing surface and underground mining expertise and proven track record in delivering similar projects were key factors in securing the contracts. “These new contracts will give Leighton Contractors opportunities to further grow our underground capability and bolster our strong presence in the north-west region of WA,” he said.

“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Newcrest Mining and Crocodile Gold, and to be a part of the future success of these projects.

“I am hopeful that as these relationships develop, we may be presented with further opportunities in the NT and with Newcrest Mining, Australia’s leading blue chip gold producer.”

Leighton Contractors currently provides mining services at four other gold mines across Australia and
New Zealand.