Loring Laboratories of Calgary said samples submitted for coal proximate analysis as well as sulfur content and colorific value, revealed length intervals ranging from 1.7 to 8.6 meters from both the Upper and Lower Thunder seams.

“Coal samples from the Upper Thunder Coal Seam are characterized by significantly low sulfur values, relatively low ash content and moderate to high calorific values, making its coals some of the best ranking coals discovered in western Manitoba to date,” the Vancouver-based miner said.

“The discovery of the Upper Thunder Coal Seam is also one of the shallowest drill intersections of significant coal seams encountered in western Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan to date. The upper layer of the Lower Thunder Coal Seam is also characterized by sulfur content less than 1%, low ash content and high calorific value.” 

The analysis results also parallel Saturn’s projection the coal in the area possesses a limited marine influence, providing coal accumulations of potentially higher quality – a low content of both sulfur and ash – versus other locations in the basin west of Overflowing.

The northeastern structural rise, it added, should also reflect the shallowest coal seams in the region.

“The company intends to investigate the exploration implications of this depositional model in relation to the Overflowing property and other areas in western Manitoba,” officials said.

In related news, Saturn has completed three reconnaissance exploration holes at its Red Earth property in eastern Saskatchewan to verify geology and calibrate previously gathered geophysical data.

While all drill holes penetrated strata of the targeted coal-bearing formation, the company said no significant coal thicknesses were encountered. As a result, the permits for the property have been extended so these results can be evaluated by Saturn as well as Jameson Resources, who holds a 20% interest in Red Earth.

Since 2009, the miner has made three bituminous coal discoveries at the Saskatoba project including one of the thickest coal seams encountered in Canada at 89m.

Saturn has strategic ownership in First Nations-owned Inowending Exploration and Development.