Top Australian contractor Leighton Holding's mining services arm Thiess announced Monday it had been awarded a contract worth 2.3 billion AU dollars (2.38 billion U.S. dollars) for extending mining operations at Jellinbah Group's Lake Vermont coal mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin.

The six-year agreement will ramp up production from 4 million tonnes to 8 million tonnes a year, Thiess said.

"Thiess is very proud to continue its involvement at the Lake Vermont mine where we've been working with the Jellinbah Group from the very beginning to plan, build and operate the mine," Thiess Managing Director Bruce Munro said in a statement.

Jellinbah Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Chalmers said the continuation of Thiess as a long-term operator ensured its on- going delivery of cost competitive coal from the Lake Vermont mine.

"We look forward to working closely with Thiess to maximize the value of Lake Vermont and continue the mine as a safe, reliable, responsible and productive operation," Chalmers said.

Lake Vermont Mine is located 20 kilometers north of Dysart, Central Queensland. It currently has a total workforce of more than 350.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet