Bravus Mining and Resources has appointed MacKellar Group as its mining services contractor for the Carmichael mine in central Queensland.
Worth around $2 billion over five years, the deal includes risk and reward mechanisms designed to align MacKellar with Bravus’ goal of maximising efficiency and production at the thermal coal mine near Clermont.
Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe said the decision followed a competitive tender process and would secure long-term operational stability for the mine.
“This decision secures the operational efficiency of Carmichael for today and sets a platform for growth in the future,” Crowe said.
“It also gives the 1000 MacKellar workers who travel to and from Townsville, Rockhampton, the Isaac Region, Cairns or Mackay to work at our Carmichael mine confidence about their futures, and that’s something we’re very proud of.
“We now look forward to continuing the partnership we’ve built with MacKellar since first ground was broken on the Carmichael mine in 2019.”
Since construction began in 2019, Bravus has paid more than $2 billion to regional Queensland contractors and businesses.
The mine transitioned to operations in 2022 and has ramped up to producing more than 10 million tonnes per annum of export-quality coal.
The Carmichael mine is a significant regional employer, with more than 1200 permanent staff and about 750 workers on site at any one time.
Townsville and Rockhampton remain the primary employment hubs, with additional recruitment targeting workers from Clermont and the Isaac Region.
The mine’s output is sold into the international seaborne market, with destinations varying according to market demand.