Whitehaven Coal Gunnedah, New South Wales

The contract: Haulage

Bis provides essential on-road load and haul transport of coal from Whitehaven Coal's open cut mine at Tarrawonga NSW, to the Gunnedah Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP); a distance of 40 kms.

Additionally, Bis delivers underground and maintenance services to Whitehaven Coal’s nearby Narrabri Underground mine.

In 2020, Whitehaven Coal expanded Bis’ scope of works to include Werris Creek Mine’s off-road haulage operations including the movement of approximately 1.6Mtpa of sale coal from the mine’s stockpile directly to the TLO.

Multi-skilled operators are employed to cover various aspects of the mining operation that provides the client with greater labour flexibility as coal haulage requirements fluctuate.

Key project achievements

Long-term partnership

After partnering with Whitehaven Coal since 2014, Bis received its latest haulage contract extensions in 2019 and 2020. The contract has seen Bis deliver an innovative haulage solution through a new fleet of enhanced prime movers and A-double combinations to support operations at Tarrawonga.

The bespoke haulage solution provides a greater payload capacity while reducing the number of prime movers required, delivering cost efficiencies and benefits to Whitehaven Coal.

The new combinations also provide benefits to the local area, including a reduction in one-way trips by more than 30%. This in turn reduces vehicle emissions, and contributes to improved local road safety and amenity.

The strong commercial partnership between Bis and Whitehaven Coal demonstrates how two committed, locally-based companies can work together to deliver real and ongoing benefits for the local area.