Leighton unit awarded A$136.5 mln new contract

SYDNEY, July 15 (Reuters) - A unit of Australian contractor Leighton Holdings Ltd (LEI.AX) has won a A$136.5 million ($131.2 million) contract from global miner Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO.AX) (RIO.L), Leighton said on Tuesday.

The contract is for the construction of five new alumina process areas for Rio's alumina refinery in Australia's Queensland state. The work is due to start this month and is expected to finish in April 2010. ($1=A$1.04) (Reporting by Denny Thomas; Editing by Mark Bendeich) ((denny.thomas@reuters.com; +61 2 9373 1812; Reuters Messaging: denny.thomas.reuters.com@reuters.net))