Mining contractors Leighton Holdings has sealed the biggest deal in its history, signing on for $1.3 billion in work at Fortescue Metals’ Solomon Hub iron operation.

The new contract makes the Leighton-Fortescue marriage even stronger, with Leighton now set to undertake a total of $2.8 billion dollars of iron ore operations at Fortescue sites.

The Leighton contract makes the company responsible for operating and maintaining the open cut fleet, mine planning, ore quality control, processing facilities and associated infrastructure.

Under the new agreements Leighton is set to move a combined 60 million tonnes of iron ore from two sites next year. Fortescue says it’s in their interests; the company is currently in a phase of “significant cost reductions”.

 More information is available from Leighton Holdings.