Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting yesterday, company chairman Russell Kempnich said it wanted to leverage its brand and leadership outside of its core Australian market after ramping up activity overseas during 2011.

“In the Americas, Sedgman moved steadily towards commissioning the Bocamina coal handling plant and commenced a range of feasibility studies which have the potential to accelerate our organic growth as these studies progress to capital approval and project execution,” Kempnich said.

Meanwhile in Mozambique, Sedgman neared completion of delivering engineering and procurement work at Benga CHPP for Riversdale Mining and will be providing construction and commissioning support for the world’s largest coal preparation plant at Vales Moatize Mine.

Kempnich said the company was also establishing its presence in South Africa during 2011 after it progressed towards the completion of CHPP design and construction services for Xstrata Coal’s ATCOM East project near Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, the acquiring of a Mongolian contract involving the development of the first CHPP at Mongolian Mining Corporation’s Ukhaa Khudag project proved the company could deliver projects under extreme weather conditions.

The company also successfully delivered UHG Stage 1 CHPP project in Mongolia’s South Gobi Desert, which resulted in it being awarded Stage 2 of the UHG.

“I acknowledge staff members who continue to work in the harshest conditions and around the clock to deliver this project on schedule… Sedgman engineering design is setting the standard for future developments in Mongolia,” Kempnich said.

“Winning repeat contracts in two of the world’s most exciting emerging coal regions is a significant achievement for Sedgman and testament to its ability to develop strong client relationships.”

Throughout the year Sedgman continued to procure major contracts in Australia, including a CHPP Middlemount contract in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, while its Thiess Sedgman joint venture secured a $85 million Bengalla CHPP upgrade for Bengalla Mining Company in the Hunter Valley.

Kempnich said the appointment of Nick Jukes as the company’s chief executive and Peter Richards as an independent director were major company milestones.

“Nick brings to Sedgman a wealth of industry knowledge, experience and skills and has a great understanding of the business,” he said,

“Nick and Peter’s appointment has significantly strengthened your board and I am confident Sedgman has the best equipped board and executive team to facilitate ongoing growth and international expansion,” he said.