Construction of our Carmichael mine and rail project is continuing, with railway and mine works being undertaken in line with strict measures to manage the risk of the COVID-19 virus.
We have recently awarded a $220+ million civil construction contract for the Carmichael Rail Network to Australian rail company Martinus, to build a critical section of the railway.
The contract with Martinus will deliver approximately 600 new jobs, which is more important than ever as the community braces to withstand the economic shifts being brought about by the COVID-19 virus.
While we’re following all advice from Queensland Health and the Federal Government and doing all we can to keep our people and the community safe, we also understand how important it is to continue our operations where safe and practicable to provide certainty of employment for our staff and contractors.
We have implemented measures including social distancing, health screening and increased hygiene, in the hope that more of our contractors, suppliers and the businesses who depend on us can also weather the storm, keeping their doors open, services running, and importantly provide certainty of employment.
Martinus will base their workforce for this contract out of Rockhampton and Townsville. This is the second major package of works awarded to Martinus, following the $100 million contract announced in October 2019.
The civil components includes the delivery of 86-kilometres of rail formation works, a road over rail bridge, nine waterway bridges, more than 200 culverts and 35 rail crossings.
It’s also again worth nothing that despite a sustained nine-year campaign, anti-coal activists have failed to stop our project going ahead. Their recent claims that contractors have pulled out of our project are false. We remain on track to create more than 1500 direct jobs during the construction and ramp up of our project and some further 6,750 indirect jobs.
Excitingly, assembly of our first mining trucks is now also complete, with two heavy vehicles having left Mackay and made the 300km+ trip to the Carmichael Mine site this week.
Each truck requires a team of about 40 men and women to complete the assembly, over an approximately 10-week period.
These are the first of more than two dozen trucks being assembled in Mackay, requiring the skills of trade qualified HV electricians, diesel fitters and auto electricians.
We hope you all have a great week and stay safe and well.
