The corporation’s responsibilities will involve the completion of the extension's design scope, including the remaining work required for the surface infrastructure.

The extension will provide new underground and surface infrastructure, which includes new mine access and conveyor drifts to surface, new coal-clearance systems, overland conveying, washplant upgrades, new surface facilities, and backbone infrastructure.

Kestrel produces high-quality coking coal and thermal coal for export. It uses longwall extraction methods that produce higher resource recovery rates, use lower volumes of roof-support materials and offer increased roof protection for workers than other mining methods.

"We take pride in the fact that we are applying sustainability principles to our work on this expansive project," AECOM president and chief executive officer John M Dionisio said.

AECOM was previously responsible for providing the feasibility study and detailed engineering services for the project. The first coal shipment from the new mine extension is scheduled for 2012.

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government.