Delta Dunia Group’s subsidiary BUMA Australia has secured a contract with Whitehaven Coal's subsidiary Blackwater Operations to deliver pre-strip mining services at the Blackwater coal mine in Queensland, Australia.

This contract is a significant contributor to BUMA Australia's revenue and is expected to last until June 2026, with an average annual production target of around 36mcm of overburden removal.

The contract with Whitehaven Coal is a continuation of the services at the Blackwater mine by BUMA Australia with BMA.

Earlier this month, Whitehaven Coal purchased the Blackwater and Daunia mines in Queensland, Australia, from BMA.

BUMA Australia CEO Colin Gilligan said: "This new contract cements BUMA Australia’s reputation in the Bowen Basin, where we provide pre-strip and coal mining services to the metallurgical coal industry at the Blackwater, Goonyella Riverside and Saraji mines, as well as at the Broadmeadow East and Burton mines.

"Following Whitehaven’s acquisition of the Blackwater mine from BMA, we are eager to contribute to their operational success. Our track record of safe, efficient and consistent performance at Blackwater strengthens our confidence in our ability to deliver for Whitehaven Coal.”

BUMA Australia will also conclude its mining services contract at the Commodore mine with Millmerran Power Management by 31 August 2024.

This decision aligns with Delta Dunia Group's strategy to pivot away from thermal coal operations and focus on metallurgical coal and other minerals.

Delta Dunia Group said the shift from thermal coal is part of its broader strategy to diversify its portfolio and reduce its reliance on thermal coal to below 50% of total revenue by 2028.