Thiess strengthens operational excellence at Lake Vermont with fourth Liebherr R 9800 excavator

As Thiess continues to deliver to production requirements at Lake Vermont, we have mobilised a fourth Liebherr R 9800 excavator to support ongoing operations. The deployment at Jellinbah Group’s mine in Queensland reflects Thiess’ continued investment in industry-leading equipment and reinforces our focus on innovation, efficient operations and sustainable performance.

Thiess General Manager – Australia East Nick Brown said the additional excavator increases loading capacity at the site and supports strong operational outcomes for long-term client Jellinbah Group.

"The mobilisation of a fourth R 9800, Liebherr’s largest flagship excavator, ensures the site has the capacity and capability to deliver operations safely and efficiently.

“The excavator moves around 3,000 bank cubic metres (BCM) per hour – equivalent to 16.8 million BCM annually – enabling us to support the project’s long-term production strategy."

Equipped with a 47.5 cubic metre bucket and powered by two Cummins QSK60 engines delivering a combined 4,000 horsepower, the R 9800 is built for high-efficiency, large-scale mining operations.

The deployment reflects Thiess’ long-standing partnership with Liebherr, which spans more than 30 years. With ten R 9800s now operating across Thiess Group projects globally, including the four at Lake Vermont, the fleet continues to provide the scale, reliability and performance needed to support consistent operational excellence.

Backed by more than 90 years of proven asset expertise, Thiess continues to invest in advanced equipment and trusted partnerships to deliver lasting value for our clients.