This new contract takes the company's work on hand to over $2 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement, which will run for seven and a half years, HWE will be responsible for the mining of overburden, the mining, washing and blending of coal, and the environmental management and rehabilitation of the mine site.

Having operated the Rotowaro mine for Solid Energy since 1998, HWE Mining has been awarded the contract for the next stage of mining services.

Solid Energy is New Zealand's leading producer and distributor of coal for export and for New Zealand markets.

It operates both underground and open pit mines on the west coast, in Southland and the Waikato at Huntly.

The majority of the coal from the Rotowaro mine goes to Solid Energy's customers, Genesis Power and New Zealand Steel. MiningNew.net