Thiess has partnered with the International River Foundation to enhance the health of the Mahakam River in the Kedang Pahu region, near its operations at the Melak coal mine.

Thiess helped co-found the IRF in 2003 and executive chairman Michael Wright championed the cause in his role as a River Patron.

The registered charity monitors the health and resilience of rivers and waterways around the world.

The Melak mine is owned by the Bayan Group.

Thiess developed the mine in 2008 and is responsible for mining, loading and transporting coal from mine to port.

The Melak mining rate is 2.2 million tonnes per annum.

The sanitation facilities will be featured in an accompanying educational campaign focusing on river clean up and resilience, to bolster community awareness about the link between clean river water and sanitation.