Minera Centinela has awarded Thiess a Letter of Agreement (LOA) to execute full-service mining at the Llano project in Antofagasta, Chile.
The LOA is for a contract for A$155 million that will begin in March 2023, with Thiess’ scope of work encompassing mining operations, maintenance, and asset management services for Minera Centinela, a joint venture between Antofagasta Minerals and Marubeni Corporation.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Minera Centinela to develop a mine of the future, focused on sustainable innovation, optimised production, and career development for the skilled mining professionals who make up the local workforce,” Thiess Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright said.
Thiess Group Executive Americas Darrell White stated Thiess is looking forward to expanding its relationship with Minera Centinela.
“Together with our client, we are committed to making Llano our most sustainable project in the Americas, implementing measures to increase efficiencies and reduce the project’s carbon footprint,” White added.
Thiess has also formed agreements with local suppliers to provide necessary services and has committed to employing locally to expand the number of employees who live near the mine. Thiess will also double the number of women hired at the Llano project compared to mining in Chile by expanding its existing scholarship program for female operators and launching the second cohort of an apprenticeship program to train and empower women in the Antofagasta region interested in maintenance.
According to Thiess, it is determined to expand on its recent record of more than 2 million work hours without a lost-time event in Chile, for which Minera Centinela recognised Thiess as having the best safety and occupational health performance within the Centinela Mining Jurisdiction.
Thiess and Minera Centinela have built a collaboration that will contribute long-term value to the Antofagasta region by focusing on creating future-fit mines governed by ethical, inclusive, and sustainable processes.
