300 new full-time jobs and hundreds of construction jobs will be created by expansion of� its Hunter Valley Energy Coal operation in New South Wales, generating around 300 new full time jobs in addition to hundreds of construction jobs.
The $400m project is aimed at increasing thermal coal production by 4 million tonnes per annum with the first production expected in the second half of 2013.
BHP Billiton also approved three key metallurgical coal projects in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, Australia. These projects are expected to add 4.9 million tonnes of annual mine capacity.
Additionally,� BHP Billiton will also invest $6.6 billion to expand the company’s Western Australia Iron Ore operations. The project is expected to generate capacity in excess of 220 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), with first production expected from the new Jimblebar mine in early year 2014.
First contracts awarded
Thiess has already been awarded a $166m contract to provide bulk earth works, drainage, road works and selected infrastructure at the miner`s Pilbara based project in the first of many work packages 0over the various mine sites.
The contract is set to start immediately and continue until the end of July 2012 and will generate hundreds of construction jobs.
