Prominent Hill

Thiess began feasibility work at Prominent Hill with original mine owner Oxiana in 2005 and was awarded a six-year infrastructure development and mining contract the following year. 

In January 2012, new mine owner OZ Minerals awarded Thiess a contract extension. A subsequent contract change saw our team take management control of all operations pertinent to the Malu Open Pit Mine including blasting design, drilling, surveying, mine planning, geotechnical, geology and systems, until the mine’s closure in 2018.

Central to the hearth of the Prominent Hill operation was OZ Minerals and Thiess’ commitment to ensuring local employment and supply chain opportunities, for Aboriginal people from South Australia. This included members of the local Traditional Owner group AntakirinjaMatu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation (AMYAC).

During the five-year demobilisation program (2013-2018) at Prominent Hill, Thiess and OZ Minerals completed a social impact study identifying the mine closure impacts to local employees, specifically the AntakirinjaMatu-Yankunytjatjara (AMY) people. 

A subsequent Run of Mine (ROM) and stockpile rehandling tender provided an opportunity to reduce these impacts.

In 2018, a joint tender submission with Thiess and Anangu Mining was successful securing a $112 million contract to provide stockpile rehandling and ROM services.

Under the five-year contract, Thiess is working closely with Anangu Mining to increase their plant and equipment fleet, labour skills and strengthen their commercial capability to position Anangu Mining for future business development opportunities.

This contract is also providing benefits for local communities including Coober Pedy and Port Augusta, increasing community wellbeing and liveability.