Thiess has been awarded a contract by Xstrata's Plc's subsidiary Hunter Valley Coal Corporation Pty Limited (HVCC) to operate the Mt Owen Complex, located 25km north-west of Singleton in the Hunter Valley, NSW. The Mt Owen Complex consists of the main pit in the north known as the Mt Owen Coal Mine, and the smaller Mt Owen West Pit (formerly Ravensworth East Mine). The Mt Owen West Pit is situated midway between Muswellbrook and Singleton.

Thiess' scope of works at the Mt Owen Coal Mine includes the design and construction of the mine and infrastructure, including the coal washing and processing plant. Under the agreement, Thiess will purchase mobile plant and equipment and operate the mine through its programmed life.

At the Mt Owen West Pit, Thiess will be responsible for the operations of the site. This includes the mining, stock piling and loading of coal for both domestic and export markets. Planned total production level is set at 1.2 million tonnes per annum, with 600,000 tonnes per annum contracted to Macquarie Generation and the remainder to be sold to the export market.

* For long term contracts extending beyond five years, the total contract value shown includes the value of work completed to date plus five years worth of work in hand.