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Ausenco will manage underground, surface infrastructure construction and coal preparation plant upgrade work under the agreement.
The KME project aims to lift production capacity from 4 million tonnes per annum to 5.7Mtpa from 2012, extend the mine life to 2031, and increase the longwall face width to 375m.
“The Kestrel Mine Extension award builds upon a number of key delivery strengths of the Ausenco team,” Ausenco chief executive Zimi Meka said.
“Owners are increasingly pursuing underground mine development work. Our experience in successfully delivering other recent underground developments positions us well in that growth sector.”
AECOM Technology Corporation was awarded a $US12 million design contract for the KME in late March.
Part of the work for this contract was to scope the remaining surface infrastructure required.
The Kestrel longwall mine is 80%-owned by Rio and 20%-owned by Mitsui.
At the end of 2009, Kestrel’s coking and thermal coal reserves totalled 86Mt proved and 81Mt probable, including 64Mt proved marketable reserves and 62Mt probable marketable reserves.
Ausenco shares were up 6c to $4.34 in trading this morning.
