UNDERGROUND

Mastermyne wins Aquila contract

Mastermyne Group has been awarded the development and outbye services contract for Anglo American’s US$226 million Aquila coal project in Queensland

Lou Caruana
Mastermyne is appointed to help bring the Aquila mine back to operational status as a longwall operation

Mastermyne is appointed to help bring the Aquila mine back to operational status as a longwall operation

Total revenue generated from the mining contract and equipment supply is set at A$95 million (US$65 million) in the two-year contract, with the first phase of mobilisation starting in early September and full mobilisation planned for the end of November.

Mastermyne CEO Tony Caruso said the company's proven track record in delivering major underground infrastructure and roadways safely and efficiently positioned it well for this work.

"We look forward to working with Anglo American to deliver this new longwall project, producing premium high-quality hard coking coal," he said.

The underground coal contractor has been engaged to undertake roadway development in the mains and gate roads, and all outbye-related services for the establishment of the longwall operation at the Aquila mine.

Pre-mobilisation works have started at the site, and, once fully resourced, the contract will employ 160 full-time personnel.

Mastermyne has also been engaged to supply development equipment from its fleet and will deploy a continuous miner and ancillary development equipment for the project.

The Aquila project is a medium seam longwall operation targeting the Aquila and Aquila Lower coal seams to produce hard coking coal.

It will include construction of surface infrastructure, development of longwall panels and underground infrastructure to support the operation.

According to Anglo, development work is expected to begin in September, with first longwall production of premium quality hard coking coal in early 2022.

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