Anthill contract for Thiess

MINING services provider Thiess has been appointed preferred contractor for Astral Resources Australia’s Anthill Copper Project near Mount Isa.

The miner has notified Thiess of its intention to enter exclusive negotiations to finalise the terms of a three-year mining services contract.

Under the scope of work, it will operate and maintain two mining fleets, undertaking mining services to support the company’s copper production requirements.

Chief executive and executive chairman Michael Wright said: “Thiess has a long history operating in the Mount Isa region dating back to the early 1960s, and we’re very pleased to be back. With our selection as preferred contractor, Austral Resources has recognised our team’s specialist mining capability and our flexible approach to meet the needs of their mine.

“This project is very important to Thiess as we continue to diversify our business across commodities, mining regions and services. We are positioned well to support Austral Resources and the local community, with the right equipment, technical capability and operations team.”

The Anthill Copper Project is about 80km northwest of Mount Isa and will extend copper production from the existing Lady Annie operations.

Austral intends to start Anthill mining in the December quarter with ore deliveries expected in the March quarter and 1000 tonnes of cathode produced a month by mid-2022.

It contains a JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resource estimate of 13.8 million tonnes, grading 0.7 per cent copper.