“The three-year contract will see Sedgman continue to operate and maintain the Coppabella and Moorvale coal-handling and preparation plants (CHPPs), including their stockpile management and train loading functions,” Macarthur said.

Under the previous Sedgman contracts, Macarthur said the Coppabella CHPP processed more than 47 million tonnes of coal and operated lost time injury free for the past eight years.

The producer said Moorvale’s CHPP processed 16Mt and operated lost time injury free during the past three years.

Macarthur shares are up 26c to $5.61, with the swift rise also attributable to a Credit Suisse upgrade to an “outperform” rating on the producer.