PRESS RELEASE: The 34-month contract incorporates a further cutback at the Rocky's Reward pit and works at a satellite pit. The mining services include mine planning and engineering, drilling and blasting, mining of overburden and ore, and rehandling services to the Leinster processing facility.

CIMIC Group CEO Michael Wright said: "This award continues our strong working relationship with BHP Nickel West. We're pleased to continue our support at Rocky's Reward, delivering value through our mining expertise and our experience in planning and scheduling mining around existing underground workings."

CIMIC Group executive mining and mineral processing and Thiess managing director Douglas Thompson added: "This contract recognises our ability to bring the right equipment, people and expertise to projects.

"We look forward to building on our experience at Rocky's Reward where we delivered strongly in production and safety. We also look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for local jobs and suppliers."

A member of the BHP Billiton group, Nickel West is a fully integrated nickel business comprising the Mt Keith, Cliffs and Leinster mines, the Kalgoorlie smelter, the Kambalda concentrator and the Kwinana refinery.

Rocky's Reward is located at Leinster, 400km north of Kalgoorlie.