Our history
Our global mining business combines the history and strength of Thiess, Leighton Contractors, HWE and Leighton Asia. Central to the foundations of this contract mining powerhouse is the pioneering spirit of the legendary Thiess brothers who redefined the mining and construction industries more than 85 years ago.
From their humble beginnings as road contractors on the Darling Downs in 1934, the five brothers rose to extraordinary heights in construction. They won the largest contract awarded to an Australian company on the legendary Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. This catapulted the company onto the national stage and the delivery of major infrastructure including dams, ports, tunnels, highways, airports, hospitals and commercial buildings.
In the midst of Australia’s energy crisis in the 1940s, the Thiess brothers unlocked vital coal reserves in Queensland and New South Wales by pioneering large-scale open-cut mining. This leadership role in the resources sector expanded to the international stage in the 1960s when Thiess Peabody Mitsui founded the nation-building export trade with Japan in high-quality Queensland coking coal.
While we are a different business today, having expanded our horizons, the legacy and can-do attitude of the Thiess brothers remain at the heart of our business.
Today as we offer our expertise around the globe, the Thiess brothers’ pioneering spirit and passion for innovation remain at the heart of our business.
1927
First roadworks contract
Les Thiess undertakes his first independent road work contract for Queensland’s Department of Main Roads on the Darling Downs.
1934
Thiess Bros and Horn & Thiess
The firm of Thiess Bros is formally registered in Toowoomba by Pat and Bert Thiess, and the firm of Horn & Thiess is formally registered in Toowoomba by Henry “Stumpy” Horn and Les Thiess. They successfully tender for the Kilkivan roadworks job, removing 50,000 cubic yards of earth.
1940
Heifer creek cutting
Thiess Bros completes the 104-foot-deep Heifer Creek Road Cutting between Gatton and Warwick - the deepest in Australia at the time. Demonstrating their ingenuity, they decide it is more efficient to carve a cutting, rather than following the specifications for a tunnel. A Brisbane newspaper dubs them “the men who eat rocks and stones”.
Thiess Bros wins its first job in NSW - sinking the Young Australia tank for New Occidental Gold Mine. This project marks Thiess’ first foray away from roadworks and building site preparation.
1941
WW2 contracts
Thiess Bros is hired by the Allied Works Council and US Army to complete a series of major construction projects including roads, military camps and emergency airstrips around Australia.
1944
Coal mining
Australia is hit by a coal shortage which presents an opportunity for Thiess Bros to diversify its operations. They successfully tender for two contracts to remove the overburden at Blair Athol Coal Mine in Queensland and Muswellbrook Coal Mine in New South Wales. These contracts mark the beginning of Thiess’ long association with mining.
1947
Thiess Bros Pty Ltd
Thiess Bros Pty Ltd is incorporated.
1948
Peak Downs scheme
Thiess Bros wins a ploughing scheme contract as part of a combined effort between the British and Queensland Governments to help fill Great Britain’s post-war grain and meat needs.
1949
First rail contract
Thiess Bros undertakes the earthworks for the duplication of Longwarry – Yarragon Line. This is the company’s first rail project and sets the foundations for its future in rail.
1953
Milne Bay project
Thiess Bros salvages scrap metal from the Territory of Papua New Guinea, shipping US Army trucks, cranes and machinery to Australia. This equipment gives them an advantage over the competition and becomes a major factor in securing its future involvement in coal mining.
1954
Constructing dams
Thiess Bros builds the Bostock Dam in Victoria and Gara River Dam in New South Wales. These mark the beginning of the company’s substantial involvement in dam constructions throughout Australasia and the near Pacific.
1954
Gold Coast canals
Thiess undertakes the reclamation of swamp land at Currumbin Creek and Palm Beach, building the first canal development in the area. They later go on to build a large portion of the waterways in the Gold Coast area.
1956
Mt Isa operations
Thiess Bros’ Mt Isa area operations are established with the building of the Corella Dam for Mount Isa Mines. Over the next two years, they construct dams, water mains and roads in the region.
1951
Thiess Holdings Ltd
The initial public offering of 450,000 shares in Thiess Holdings sells on the Sydney and Brisbane stock exchanges.
1958
Snowy mountains hydro electric scheme
Thiess Holdings is awarded the Tooma Dam and Tooma-Tumut Tunnel contracts on the Snowy Scheme, becoming the first Australian company to be awarded a major contract on the project.
1959
Tunnelling records
In the winter of 1959, Thiess sets a world tunnelling record on the Snowy Mountains Scheme’s Tooma-Tumut Tunnel, excavating 526 feet in a six-day week.
Following the success of the Toyota LandCruiser on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, Thiess secures the Australian franchise. This marked the start of a long partnership with the Japanese car manufacturer through Thiess Toyota Pty Ltd.
1960
Beef roads
Thiess commences work on the Beef Roads Program to haul cattle through the remote reaches of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. At the time, the project is the biggest single road-making scheme in Australia’s history.
1961
NZ hydro scheme
Thiess Holdings is awarded its first civil engineering contract outside Australia - the building of a tunnel and shaft for the Hydro Electric Scheme on Lake Manapouri in New Zealand.
1962
Kianga & Moura coal
A joint venture company, Thiess Peabody Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd is formed to operate the Kianga and Moura mines and export Queensland’s first coking coal to Japan.
1962
Rail expansion
Thiess expands its rail capabilities taking on larger rail jobs and completing an increased scope of work, from earthworks through to the laying of the track, including the Kwinana to Kalgoorlie line in Western Australia.
1967
Pastoral division and Talbingo dam
Thiess diversifies its activities and acquires two cattle station properties or approximately one million acres in the Kimberleys. The final and biggest contract on the Snowy Mountains Scheme – the Talbingo Dam and Tumut 3 Power Station commences.
1972
SE Asian operations commence
Operations commence in South East Asia through a partnership arrangement with Petrosea. One of Thiess Petrosea’s first projects is the Sembawang dry dock in Singapore, which today remains one of the largest dry docks in the world.
1973
Dartmouth dam
Thiess Holdings constructs the Dartmouth Dam on Victoria’s Mitta Mitta River. This was Australia’s largest dam at the time and included a diversion tunnel, intake shaft, valve chamber and access tunnel.
1974
Snowy completed
Thiess completes the Talbingo Dam and Tumut 3 Power Station ahead of schedule, bringing the 25-year construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme to an end.
1976
Wivenhoe dam
Thiess commences the first stage of three on Wivenhoe Dam outside of Brisbane. The final stage is completed eight years later in 1984.
1977
Sugarloaf dam
Thiess constructs the main dam embankment as part of the Sugarloaf Reservoir Project, a water supply scheme for Melbourne.
1979
Loy Yang power station
Thiess enters a joint venture partnership with German company Hochtief to construct the Loy Yang Power Station chimneys.
1983
Leighton acquires Thiess Pty Ltd
Hochtief buys out Westfield and acquires Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd through Leighton Holdings Ltd, of which Hochtief is the major shareholder.
1983
Hayman Island resort development
Thiess Contractors develops a long-term building strategy and constructs a series of resorts. The company is recognised by the industry as a serious builder.
1984
First waste management contract
Thiess Contractors successfully secures a seven-year contract with the Brisbane City Council for receiving, spreading, compacting and filling eight landfill refuse disposal areas. It is one of Thiess’ first jobs in environmental services.
1984
First remediation contract
The clean-up of the Northern Territory’s Rum Jungle Uranium Mine becomes Thiess’ first remediation project. Thiess successfully completes the initial Stage 1 development of the RAAF Base Tindal, located in the Northern Territory and home to the 75th Squadron. Ten years later, Thiess is awarded a contract to construct more than 3km of new aircraft roadways.
1986
Thiess process engineering
Thiess acquires the Leighton Major Projects Division, commencing its Process Engineering business.
1987
Correctional facilities
Thiess’ construction of the Barwon Prison in Victoria, to United Nations' minimum standards, signals its expansion into correctional facilities.
1987
Thiess Environmental Services Pty Ltd
Thiess identifies environmental services as a core business activity and establishes Thiess Environmental Services as a subsidiary.
This includes the Wollongong Waste Collection contract, one of the largest contracts of its type in Australia. The seven year contract marks Thiess’ involvement in all aspect of waste collection, handling, transfer and disposal.
1988
World Expo '88
Thiess completes the construction of the iconic tensions membrane structures, as well as many of the pavilions for the World Expo ’88 in Brisbane. Work is also done to reclaim parts of the South Bank Parklands site from the Brisbane River.
1988
PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia
Thiess is established in Indonesia. In a joint venture with PT Mintekindo Utama Into, Thiess wins mining contracts in Kalimantan and spearheads all Leighton Group activities in Indonesia.
1988
Sydney harbour tunnel
Thiess demonstrates its sophistication as an engineering construction group by delivering Australia’s first immersed tube road tunnel.
1989
Granny Smith gold mine
Process Engineering completes several mining projects, including the installation of a grinding mill at the Granny Smith Gold Mine.
Growth in the 1990s
1990
Western Ring road
Thiess continues its involvement on the civil engineering front, constructing kilometres of roads and bridges and major infrastructure including the Western Ring Road in Victoria. The three-lane dual-carriage freeway was the first major freeway in Australia to use recycled concrete for base pavement construction.
1990
Little Manly Point
The Little Manly Point gasworks site remediation contract is awarded. At the completion of this project, the land was developed into safe, usable public space.
1991
BHP Port Kembla
Thiess Services is awarded the contract for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of BHP’s Port Kembla Steelworks Wastewater Recycling Facility in New South Wales.
1991
Junee correctional centre
The Australasian Correctional Services consortium is established by Thiess and Australasian Correctional Management to design, construct and manage the Junee Correctional Centre – the first privately designed, built and operated prison in Australia.
1991
Dawesville channel
With this contract in Western Australia, Thiess starts to move away from traditional contracting to take on the role of developer, project initiator and financier/facilitator.
1992
Balikpapan training and development centre
Thiess Indonesia establishes the Balikpapan Training and Development Centre in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan to overcome a shortage of skilled local labour. Today the facility is one of the largest in the country and personnel receive Australian TAFE qualifications.
1992
Cullen Bay marina
Thiess provides management services for civil works at Cullen Bay, a prestigious marina and residential development in Northern Territory.
1993
Melbourne water board maintenance services
Thiess' services division commences long-term relationships with Melbourne Water and South East Water. Both contracts are extended in 1996, including the addition of a new fleet fitted with the latest in GPS technology and real-time data reporting.
1994
Prince of Wales hospital
Signalling a strong move into the healthcare market, this contract included construction of the six-storey Acute Services building, with two floors of basement car parking and four floors of Acute Services.
1994
First mining partnership agreement
Thiess signs the first partnering agreement in the industry for the Mt Owen Coal Mine. The contract is for the design, construction and commissioning of the process plant and all mine infrastructure. The subsequent contract to operate the mine in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales extends to today.
1995
Burton coal mine
Thiess provides a fully integrated total service solution including the design, construction and operation of the Burton Coal Mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
1995
Newlands coal mine
Thiess becomes the first contractor to undertake underground development work for the mine owner.
1995
Hydrographic business
Hydrographic Services Group from the Rural Water Corporation of Victoria is acquired.
1996
Maralinga rehabilitation project
Thiess Environmental Services is contracted to carry out rehabilitation of the Maralinga Nuclear Test site in South Australia. The project, involving excavation and burial of radioactive contaminated material, is of a size and complexity never before attempted in Australia. This project goes on to win two National Case Earth Awards for environmental best practice, with United Energy in Victoria.
1996
Collinsville coal mine
Thiess is the first contractor to operate an established mine on behalf of the mine owner. The open-cut mine is located in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
1996
Olympic dam expansion project
Thiess is appointed principal contractor on the underground expansion of the Olympic Dam mine, which contains one of the world’s largest ore bodies producing copper, uranium, gold and silver. The expansion project is reported to be one of the largest and most complex projects in Australia.
1996
Sydney Olympics site
Thiess Environmental Services is the largest remediation contractor on the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games site at Homebush Bay.
Thiess then goes on to build the Homebush Bay Exhibition Hall as part of the Sydney Olympics preparations. It is the largest dome of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.
1997
Sydney Olympics infrastructure development
Thiess continues its involvement in the Sydney 2000 Olympics preparation with construction of roads, services and landscaping at the Homebush Bay site.
1997
Balambano dam
Thiess is awarded the construction of Balamabano Dam in Indonesia, the largest roller-compacted concrete dam in the Southern Hemisphere.
1997
Matahina dam strengthening
Thiess reconstructs and strengthens the existing Matahina Dam in New Zealand to meet earthquake standards. Works comprise bulk earth works and construction of a leakage resistant zone.
1998
Ansett terminal redevelopment Sydney airport
Thiess commences work on the Ansett Domestic Terminal Upgrade, necessary to cater for the anticipated increase in passengers for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
1999
Silcar communications
Thiess acquires a 50% stake in Silcar, in a joint venture with leading global technology company, Siemens. Silcar is responsible for Telstra’s national telepower contract for the design, construction and maintenance of power supply to 36,000 installations.
1999
Corporate office moves
Thiess’ Corporate office relocates from its premises at Archerfield to the newly constructed building at 179 Grey Street, South Bank in Brisbane.
1999
Multinet gas
The Multinet Gas contract win, with United Energy in Victoria, opens up a new field of utilities infrastructure.
Into the 21st Century
2000
Thiess Pty Ltd
Thiess Contractors is formally changed to Thiess Pty Ltd in recognition of the broader scope of services the group is now delivering.
2000
Satui and Senakin mines, Indonesia
PT Thiess Contractors secures the long-term operations contract with PT Arutmin for the Satui and Senakin Coal Mines in South Kalimantan. In 2003, the alliance is extended for the life of the mines.
2000
Telecommunications
A Telstra contract to lay fibre optic cable throughout South East Queensland is won. The Siemens Thiess Communications Joint Venture (STCJV) is formed and then wins Telstra contracts in New South Wales and Queensland.
2001
New Zealand remediation contracts
The remediation team wins their first overseas contract with the Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site remediation in New Zealand.
2001
Brisbane hydrographics contract
The hydrographics team secures a Brisbane River contract.
2002
Epping to Chatswood rail line
With Hochtief and the United Group, Thiess undertakes the project to construct 12.5 km of underground passenger rail line, one of the largest publicly-funded infrastructure projects in NSW.
2002
Penny's Bay remediation
In its first joint venture with Leighton Asia, Thiess Services provides specialist dioxin remediation services for Hong Kong’s proposed Disney theme park.
2002
Thiess Sedgman joint venture
The Thiess Sedgman Joint Venture is formed to complete the design and construction of the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant for the Hail Creek Expansion Project. The successful joint venture goes on to complete additional projects, including the Dawson Mine Expansion and Lake Lindsay Coal Project with Anglo Coal Australia.
2003
Lane Cove tunnel project
The Thiess John Holland Joint Venture is appointed to design and construct the project. At the time of the award, this is the largest design and construction project in the company’s history, and Thiess’ first major road infrastructure BOOT (Build Operate Own Transfer) project.
2003
Australian Synchrotron building
Thiess designs and constructs Australia’s first synchrotron facility - a high-energy light source that is vital for scientific and industrial experimentation and development.
2003
Hismelt iron smelter
Thiess is awarded the first major construction package for the plant. The scope of work involves the installation of all site foundations and the backbone pipe bridging interconnecting the various process sections of the plant.
2003
Darwin LNG tank
Thiess Process wins the design and construction of the Darwin Liquefied Natural Gas tank, the biggest above-ground LNG tank in the world and a landmark project for Australia.
2004
Eastlink
The Thiess John Holland Joint Venture is awarded the contract to design and construct Melbourne’s newest motorway between Mitcham and Frankston. The contract is the largest ever awarded to the Leighton Group.
2004
Regional fast rail project
In a joint venture with United Group, Thiess is awarded the contract to design and construct the Regional Fast Rail Project, the largest upgrade of regional rail in Victoria’s transport history.
2004
STCJV in Five States
STCJV wins Telstra contracts in five states.
2004
Electrical contracts for Queensland
Electrical contracts with Ergon Energy in central and far northern Queensland are won.
2005
Silcar and STCJV
STCJV and Silcar form Silcar Communications.
2006
Trackstar Alliance
This ground-breaking program alliance is a partnership between Thiess, Queensland Rail, United Group, Connell Wagner and Maunsell. Initial projects include the duplication of Queensland’s North Coast rail line, the duplication of the Beerburrum to Landsborough section, extension of the Gold Coast line from Robina to Varsity Lakes, and construction of a third line between Corinda and Darra.
2006
Bundamba advanced water treatment plant
Thiess, in a joint venture with Black & Veatch and the Department of Infrastructure, undertakes the design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the facility. The plant forms part of the Western Corridor Recycled Water which will provide an alternative water supply for South East Queensland.
2007
South road upgrade / ANZAC highway
The Thiess Leed Joint Venture commences work on Adelaide’s busiest and most critical main arterial freight route, the South Road and ANZAC Highway.
2007
Directional drilling
Drillaway, South West Energy and Champ Constructions are acquired – the latter establishing our directional drilling capability in Victoria.
2007
Metrowater - 'US' - Utility Services
Alliance is awarded a five-year New Zealand Metrowater contract.
2008
Royal North Shore hospital
Thiess, as part of the Infrashore consortium, is awarded the Royal North Shore Hospital Redevelopment project. The project is the largest of its kind for New South Wales Department of Health. Thiess Services also picked up the 29-year maintenance contract for the facilities, demonstrating Thiess’ ability to deliver total project solutions. Image courtesy of NSW Health.
2008
Thiess India
Thiess ventures into India after the award of a contract to establish and operate the proposed Chitarpur Coal Mine.
2008
Airport link
The Thiess John Holland Joint Venture wins Australia’s largest transport infrastructure project to date. The work includes Brisbane’s Airport Link Toll Road (6.7 km long, including 5.25 km of tunnels), Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) and the Airport Roundabout Upgrade.
2008
Regional optic fibre contract
The telecommunications team win a national Telstra Regional Optic Fibre Network contract.
2009
Thiess Services Middle East
Thiess Services Middle East signs a 15-year concession contract with the Centre for Waste Management Abu Dhabi for the management of construction and demolition debris for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
2009
Arutmin mine extension
Thiess Indonesia is awarded a US$1.52 billion contract extension by PT Arutmin Indonesia for the operation of the Senakin and Satui Coal Mines in South Kalimantan.
2009
M80 Ring road
Thiess and design partners Parsons Brinkerhoff and Hyder Consulting are awarded a significant alliance contract for the Tulla Sydney section of the $2.25 billion M80 Ring Road Upgrade.
2009
Victorian Desalination Project
Thiess Degrémont to design and construct the largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in the Southern hemisphere. Thiess also holds an O&M contract for a 30 year project term.
2009
Hunter River remediation
BHP Billiton awards the initial stages of the Hunter River Remediation Project - the largest remediation project of its kind ever to be undertaken in Australia, and one of the most regulated.
2009
Thiess marks 75 years
This year Thiess celebrates a rich history and continuing reputation for delivery and partnership. Since 1934 Thiess has grown into a multi-billion dollar company with over 16,000 employees – each one contributing to Thiess’ ongoing success.
2010
Hunter Expressway and Pakri Barwadih
Thiess, in alliance with Parsons Brinckerhoff and Hyder Consulting, awarded the eastern section of the $1.7 billion Hunter Expressway Project in NSW. Thiess Minecs, awarded a 27 year contract to develop and operate the greenfield Pakri Barwadih coal mine in the state of Jharkhand in India.
2010
Tribute to Bert Thiess CBE AO
Bert Thiess CBE AO, one of the founding fathers of the company, passes away in December 2010. Bert Thiess was the sole remaining brother of the five legendary and visionary Thiess Brothers who founded the company in 1934.r of the five legendary and visionary Thiess Brothers who founded the company in 1934.
2010
New hydrographics contracts
The hydrographics team wins two new contracts with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, now holding more than 40,000 years’ worth of resource monitoring data.
2011
Two contacts on Australia's East Coast
Thiess is awarded a six-year $1.3 billion contract to extend mining operations at Burton Coal Mine. A $222M contract extension is awarded to continue mining operations at the Wilpinjong Coal Mine in New South Wales. The agreement with mine owner Peabody Energy Australia (Wilpinjong Coal Pty Ltd) extends the current contract by 15 months until 31 March, 2013.
2011
Awards for Thiess' indigenous program
The groundbreaking Thiess Indigenous Women in Hard Hats mining industry recruitment program is recognised by the Queensland Resources Council, winning the "Best Company Initiative" award.
2012
Thiess invests in apprentice training program
Thiess formalises its partnership with MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre to equip its apprentices and trainees with the skills to meet future project commitments.
2012
Thiess secures historical Lake Vermont and extends Prominent Hill
OZ Minerals awards Thiess a $1 billion, six-year mining contract to extend mining operations at OZ Mineral's Prominent Hill Copper and Gold mine in South Australia. Thiess will continue its work at Lake Vermont Coal Mine after securing its biggest ever contract - a $2.3 billion extension to mining operations. The new agreement significantly expands current operations and ramps up production from 4 to 8 million tonnes a year.
2012
Two new contracts awarded to Indonesia
Thiess wins an 18-month construction contract with PT Lahai Coal (IndoMet Coal), a joint venture between BHP Billiton and Adaro Energy - the first contract to develop the large IndoMet Coal-owned coking coal deposits. The team in Indonesia was also awarded a US$393 million coking coal mining contract with PT Tamtama Perkasa, a member of the Barito Pacific Group.
2013
Thiess and RWE deliver world first
Thiess and one of Europe’s leading power generators and lignite miners RWE Generation SE (RWE) form an exclusive partnership to deliver significant savings for high-volume continuous mining applications in across the globe. Thiess and RWE formed global Joint Venture (TRWE), becoming the first international JV to provide a full suite of in-house design, engineering, operation and maintenance services for open-pit Continuous Mining Equipment, including bucket wheel excavator systems and in-it crushin and conveying systems (IPCC).
2013
Thiess awarded contract extensions at Queensland mines
Thiess secures three significant contract extensions at mine sites in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin:
- Jellinbah Resources awards Thiess a $550 million contract expansion at the Lake Vermont Coal Mine, near Dysart
- WesFarmers Resources awards Thiess a four-year contract worth $570 million at the Curragh North Coal Mine near Blackwater
- Glencore extends Thiess’ contract at the Mt Owen Mine.
2014
Work begins at NT iron ore mine
Thiess returns to iron ore mining in the Northern Territory on Wester Desert Resources’ Roper Bar Project – a remote greenfield iron ore mine 600 kilometres south-east of Darwin.
2014
Thiess - World's largest contract miner
Following a broad based strategic review by our shareholder CIMIC to streamline operations, all mining projects across Thiess, Leighton Contractors, Leighton Asia and Leighton Africa came together under the Thiess banner, providing our clients with unparalleled mining expertise and performance.
The new business model positions Thiess as the world’s largest contract miner with an international footprint spanning 24 mine sites across six countries covering commodities including coal, iron ore, copper, nickel, gold and diamonds.
2015
Venture with Aboriginal community
Thiess enters into a joint venture with Wirlu-Murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WMYAC) to provide labour services for non-process infrastructure at Solomon in Western Australia. The venture develops close working relationship with the Wirlu-Murra Yindjibarndi people and provides commercial and employment benefits for the communities local to the project.
2015
First Americas contract won
Expanding further internationally, Antofagasta Minerals awards Thiess a $137 million services agreement over four years for the Encuentro Oxides open pit copper mine in Chile.
2016
Expansion in Asia regions
Thiess, through its 60 per cent share in the Majwe Mining Joint Venture, secures a new, two-year contract with Debswana Diamond Company’s Jwaneng mine in Botswana with revenue of approximately $370 million.
Mining services continue at the Teguh Sinar Abadi and Firman Ketaun Perkasa concessions, securing a contract extension Melak Coal Mine in East Kalimantan, Indonesia with additional revenue of $530 million.
In a joint venture with local contractor Khishig Arvin, Thiess secures the first underground decline project at the Rio Tinto-operated Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in Mongolia's southern Gobi desert. Work will include the construction of a box cut and development of twin declines.
2017
Expansion in the Bowen Basin
Thiess secures two contracts with a combined revenue of $440 million to provide mining services over three years at BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Caval Ridge and Peak Downs coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, Australia. The contract will contribute to bringing additional job opportunities to the region.
2017
Full service commences at Mount Pleasant
Thiess begins mining at Mount Pleasant in November 2017 following a successful five-month mobilisation period for client MACH Energy. More than 80 per cent of the operation’s diverse workforce lives locally, building a strong performance culture and contributing to the local communities.
2017
Relationships strengthened in Indonesia
Thiess is awarded a $300 million contract by Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) to expand operations at Sangatta coal mine in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, where operations began in 2003. The Melawan pit will extend coal production by 12 million tonnes and overburden removal by 130 million bcm over four years.
Two projects are won in the East Kalimantan region, Indonesia: Gunung Bara Utama coal mine ($437m) and a contract extension at Harum Energy’s Mahakam Sumber Jaya (MSJ) Coal Mine ($300m), extending Thiess’ successful 13-year operations at MSJ.
2018
Aboriginal community development launched with five-year commitment
Thiess partners with Anangu Mining secures a $112 million contract at Prominent Hill copper-gold mine, which saw the employment of members of the local Traditional Owner group Antakirinja Matu-Yankunythatjara Aboriginal Corporation (AMYAC).
2018
Thiess brings autonomy to Christmas Creek
Thiess secures a contract with Fortescue Metals Group to install autonomous haulage system technology on 65 conventional haul trucks at its Christmas Creek operations over 18-months in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
2018
Three major extensions strengthen Indonesia presence
Thiess’ innovative mining planning at the Satui coal mine in South Kalimantan, resulting in being awarded a $250m contract extension over three years.
At Arutmin’s Senakin coal mine in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, Thiess’ contract is extended by two and a half years to provide a range of coal mining services. In this time, Thiess will mine 5 million tonnes of coal and 52 million bank cubic metres of overburden.
In a three-year $280 million contract extension, Thiess will also continue to provide coal mining services at the Wahana coal mine owned by Bayan Resources in South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
2018/19
Equal opportunities globally
As part of its commitment to equality and diversity, Thiess passes the first female truck operator at its Centinela operation in Chile, creating a replicable pathway for more women to enter the industry.
Thiess’ works with local women from South Gobi, Mongolia to upskill and promote women to be employed as underground operators. In Indonesia, Thiess’ Women’s Green Operator Training program enables local women to enter the industry through four months of intensive training modules.
2020
Further expansion in South America
Thiess is awarded a mining services contract with Mantos Copper S.A. at their Mantos Blancos mine, northeast of Antofagasta, Chile.
The new onsite workshop opens at Encuentro, in the Antofagasta region of Chile, allowing state-of-the-art maintenance to be carried out by the Thiess team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our future - 2021 and beyond
2021
Introduction of a new shareholder
CIMIC signed an agreement with Elliott Advisors to invest in 50 per cent of the share capital of Thiess, providing joint control of Thiess to CIMIC and Elliott.
2021
North America establishment
Thiess expands to North America, opening an office in Salt Lake City, Utah, following the announcement of our first mining services contract in the region.
2021
Dual-fuel technology
Thiess partners with Mine Energy Solutions to bring lower emission, dual-fuel technology to its mining fleet, the first for a mining services provider in the industry.
2022
Thiess Rehabilitation
Thiess launches a new standalone rehabilitation business to the market - Thiess Rehabilitation, having delivered award-winning rehabilitation programs globally for more than 30 years.