The award recognises outstanding safety performance, cost saving and safety initiatives – areas in which Delta SBD prides itself, managing director Steve Bizzaca said.

“The health and safety of our people is a core value throughout our business and we continually strive to do better in our safety performance,” he said.

“This award recognises the excellent safety performance by our teams in the Illawarra as well as the significant progress Delta SBD has made in implementing new systems and training programs to further advance our safety procedures.”

The award also demonstrates Delta SBD’s objective of adding value to clients’ operations, Bizacca said.

“[It] enhances our potential to continue its current services and expand our services to Illawarra Coal’s Appin mine, particularly with the recent announcement by BHP Billiton of the expansion of the Appin mine,” he said.

Last week BHP Billiton approved investment of $US845 million to sustain operations at Illawarra Coal by establishing a replacement mining area west of its Appin mine.

In a statement the company said the replacement area – Appin area 9 – would have a production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per annum of metallurgical coal and would sustain Illawarra Coal’s production capacity at 9Mtpa.

Delta SBD has been involved at Appin for the past seven years, providing tailgate and maingate services retractions and secondary support, largely utilising thee electro-hydraulic tracked drill rigs.

It also has experience in the development of longwall gateroads and main headings development, with work currently being undertaken on two development contracts at Appin.