The company recorded $A48.6 million in profits for the six months ending in December, up 7% on the previous corresponding period.

Revenues surged 33% to $810.7 million.

But the strong results coincided with a reduction of NRW’s role at the Middlemount mine.

The company said in a statement that since Peabody and Yancoal were coal miners, it was a logical step for them to become the operator of the mine.

NRW staff will be invited to apply for roles with Middlemount Coal, with the transition expected to be completed by mid-year.

NRW incurred a loss of $10.35 million over the half year due to heavy rains causing operational challenges at the mine.

Mining revenues overall increased 11% over the period to $272.4 million. This represents the weakest performing division of the company during the half year.

The main drivers of company performance during the period were the civil works and Action Drill Blast divisions.

The civil division increased sales revenues 48% to a record of $479.3 million, despite reduction in scope of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Inner Harbour project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Other Pilbara civil projects executed during the period included expansion work at Fortescue Metals Group’s Herb Elliot port and Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert port.

Action Drill & Blast experienced exceptional growth during the half year with an 85% year-on-year increase in revenue to $94 million.

NRW noted two significant long-term drill contracts awarded over the period, a three-year deal with John Holland Group for its Isaac Plains coal mine in Queensland and a four-year contract for Fortescue’s Cloudbreak iron ore project in the Pilbara.

The company also took a 12-month extension for work at Talison Lithium’s Greenbushes pegmatite operation in Western Australia.

NRW expects a strong year for its civil division, but lower revenue from mining. Action Drill & Blast is projected to expand its Australian operations by focusing on external clients and long-term contracts.

The company is calling for full-year revenue to be $1.5 million.

A conversion of $4 billion in work tendered across its civil, mining and drill divisions is expected in the second half of the financial year.

NRW shares were trading up 3% today at $1.93.