The work for Kestrel is being undertaken for Caterpillar, which is supplying the longwall to Rio Tinto.

Delta SBD recently completed a longwall move contract at Broadmeadow.

"There are 60 to 70 people on each team," a spokesperson for the company told ILN. "The contracts will overlap for a brief period."

Delta SBD chief executive officer Stephen Bizzaca said: “Both these projects are significant milestones for Delta SBD as the company continues to develop relationships with two existing customers, BMA and Cat, as well as developing a new relationship with Rio Tinto.

Bizzaca said BMA’s longwall, being a top coal version, would give Delta SBD a competitive advantage for this type of project.

“These longwall projects demonstrate our strong capability in this area, and the importance of long term relationships with our customers,” he said.

Bizacca said the contracts also vindicated the company’s decision earlier in the year to invest in new capital equipment to expand its “fit for purpose” fleet.

Phase one of the project is the surface assembly of the complete longwall system, which will be used by the mine operator to train personnel on the operation of the longwall.

Phase two is to dismantle the surface assembly, transport and then install the longwall underground.

The second phase of the Broadmeadow project is expected to occur in Q2 FY13, while the Kestrel project will be completed by the end of Q3 FY13.

Delta SBD’s responsibilities include project management and supply of personnel, equipment and machinery. The majority of the company’s recently expanded longwall diesel machinery would be deployed on these projects, following their successful introduction at the recent Narrabri longwall installation, Bizacca said.