Quarterly News • June 2003 - Leighton Holdings

Performance and innovationat Mt OwenRecent productivity performance and the need for additional tailings storagehas resulted in Thiess implementing innovative plans at Mt Owen Coal Minein the Hunter Valley region of NSW.Afurther $25 million tailingspit project at Mt Oweninvolves the constructionof a 1.4 kilometre long x 500metre wide pit reaching a depthof 30 metres, with the originalconcept and design developedby the client, Hunter ValleyCoal Corporation (HVCC).Thiess operates the mine andproduces more than 7.5 milliontonnes of ROM coal each year.The tailings pit is an integralpart of the operation and willhold 100 per cent of Mt Owen’stailings. With productionexceeding targets and aforecast continuation of strongproduction, the new tailingspit will accommodate futureexpanded operations.Mt Owen Project OperationsManager Peter Kane said,“Initial work on the new tailingspit project began on the 31stMarch and forms part of alarger plan to reinforce thelongevity of the Mt Owen Mineoperations.”“Timing of this project is criticaland has been carefully scheduledto be undertaken over a 13 monthperiod, which will allow us tomaintain maximum productionwithout altering currentoperations.”Mt Owen uses innovativeelectronic blasting to providegreater flexibility and control.For this reason, it will be usedto assist in the construction ofthe new pit, where security ofadjoining structures is critical.THIESS 12