The Narrabri contract will give Delta SBD access to two loaders and two personnel transporters for control and operation of the Narrabri twin miner development panel.

The contract, to commence this month, will require 60 new employees.

It means Delta SBD will increase its number of development units for FY2012 from four to six.

Delta SBD chief executive officer Stephen Bizzaca said the contract would strengthen the company’s ongoing partnership with Whitehaven Coal.

“This development project further demonstrates our strong capability in this type of work and diversification across a number of key underground activities,” he said.

The contract supplements Delta SBD’s current agreement with Whitehaven, which includes work on the surface build of the Narrabri longwall mine.

The original contract was given to Delta SBD in early September and includes responsibility of project management and supply of all resources (personnel, equipment and machinery).

Back in June, Delta SBD announced it had purchased new continuous miners, a longwall diesel loader, chock trailers and a shearer transporter.

The Joy 12CM30 bolter continuous miner is scheduled for delivery in July 2012.

It’s the company’s second continuous miner and is expected to be deployed at one of the mines at which Delta is tendering for work.