The British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines issued the ASX-listed company with a notice of work for further drilling at its 90% owned flagship, Jameson said in a statement Friday.
The notice of work will enable Jameson to undertake large-diameter diamond core drilling to collect sizeable samples of coal for washability test work.
Jameson said the prime objective of this summer’s exploration program was to determine plant yield as well as develop a definitive understanding of the coking characteristics of the clean coal product.
“In recent months, Jameson has announced a number of key milestones for the Crown Mountain project, including a 90 million tonne inaugural resource estimate followed by a robust preliminary economic assessment,” managing director John Holmes said.
“Jameson is looking forward to undertaking the exploration program at Crown Mountain this summer as it advances the project toward feasibility.”
The notice of work also includes a number of reverse circulation drill holes designed to provide Jameson with the option to upgrade a portion of the Southern Extension JORC inferred resource, and to delineate a possible modest expansion of resources in the North and South blocks.
The proposed open pit mine encompasses 76 million tonnes from the initial 90 million ton coal resource.
It is expected to produce 1.3-1.9 million tons per annum of clean metallurgical coal from approximately 3.2Mtpa run of mine coal, supporting a potential mine life of 24 years.
As well as Crown Mountain, Jameson holds 100% ownership in four projects in the Peace River coalfields, also in BC.