The company said that it looks forward to potentially working with the Mongolian government to advance a project that will unlock the full benefits of the country’s vast resources.

Peabody chairman and chief executive Gregory Boyce said that the Government of Mongolia has recognized coal mining and marketing expertise of the company.

With 2010 sales of 246 million tons and nearly $7bn in revenues, Peabody said it fuels 10% of US power needs.