Mastermyne Group has secured contract extensions worth $25-$30 million to provide specialist contracting services at Anglo American’s underground coal operations.
The company today announced the six-month extensions, which are separate from a five-year contract with Anglo American for fault consolidation products and services.
“These contract extensions continue Mastermyne’s valued long-term relationship with Anglo American SMC in support of their underground mines in Central Queensland, where we have been providing services continuously for greater than 20 years,” Mastermyne chief executive officer and managing director Jeff Whiteman said.
Mastermyne noted that Anglo American had temporarily suspended underground operations at its Moranbah North Mine following an incident on March 31.
‘Currently, only essential services are being conducted on site. Further updates will be provided once more information is available,’ the company said.
Anglo American has entered into agreements to sell its Moranbah North, Grosvenor, Aquila, Capcoal and Dawson operations to Peabody in a $5 billion-plus transaction expected to close in the third quarter of this year.
The Grosvenor operation is still out of action after coal gas ignited in June last year, causing a fire in the underground workings.
Workers were evacuated from the Moranbah North longwall mine last Monday after dangerous gas levels were detected.
Resources Safety and Health Queensland acting chief inspector of coal mines Laurie Crisp said on Tuesday information to date suggested it was likely an explosion had occurred within the mine.
An RSHQ directive is in place suspending re-entry to the underground mine.