The contract revenues are about $A1.5 million and cover assistance in development of the mine access road, main ventilation and conveyor roads.

“Tendering for longwall development work is part of Bounty’s strategy to apply its high productivity bord and pillar techniques to promote faster longwall development,” managing director Mark Gray said.

“The exceptional advance rates achieved at Ivanhoe, and in recent times at Aquila, demonstrates our ability to drive gate roads at a rate that ensures longwall continuity from panel to panel.

“It also provides us with additional revenue streams and diversifies our portfolio of contract work.”

The two-month project, which has already commenced, will run alongside Bounty’s existing Aquila contract.