The contract includes option analysis, detailed engineering for the material-handling system and technical assistance during the construction phase of the project.

Dos Republicas Coal Partnership’s recently awarded Eagle Pass permit will allow it to mine coal in the border town and then transport it to Mexico to fuel coal-fired power plants 20 miles from the US border.

The mine in Texas’ Maverick county is capable of producing 2.7 million tonnes per annum of coal and plans to ship all its output across the nearby border to Mexico.

The permit issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas will allow Dos Republicas to extract more than 11Mt, effectively doubling the current scope of the now-dormant mine.

Dos Republicas said Eagle Pass would operate for about seven or eight years, create 60 jobs and stimulate the economy.

This award builds upon KBR’s track record for safely delivering major coal mine projects,” president of KBR Minerals Mark Read said.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to support the Dos Republicas Coal Partnership and look forward to the successful completion of this project.”

Dos Republicas is a San Antonio-based subsidiary of Mexican company Minera del Norte, which in turn is part of steel giant Grupo Acerero del Norte.