The new miner purchase is a fully overhauled Joy 12CM30 machine, becoming Walter’s fourth continuous miner, to be supplied by Joy Mining Machinery. In addition, the contractor recently took delivery of four new Eimco ED7 LHDs. Their mining fleet now stands at 4 Joy CMs, 6 Roadheaders, 6 shuttle cars, 4 Feeder Breakers, 11 LHDs and 10 man transporters.

The new equipment will support the company’s current and new contract work in the underground coal mining sector. The purchases were made using the facilities provided to Walter by GE Commercial Finance.

Since emerging from under the shadow of previous parent company Walter Construction Group last April the revamped mining contractor has continued to grow its contracts. At that time the company had jobs worth around $50 million. Today Walter has around $85 million in secured turnover and a number of contracts being negotiated that could boost this to at least $120 million turnover for 2006-07. Walter currently employs 460 people.

The company’s current major projects are the gateroad drivage contract at BHP Billiton Illawarra’s Dendrobium operation; mains drivage and bord and pillar mining at Anglo Coal’s Moranbah North mine; and mains drivage at AMCI’s Glennies Creek operation.