Aspire said the coal washability testing confirmed a very high theatrical yield of 80% at an 8% ash content.

The positive results have allowed Aspire to increase its coking coal target for Ovoot stage two developments to 12 million tonnes per annum, up from 10.5Mtpa.

Aspire managing director David Paull said the tests results would have a positive effect on capital and operating expenditure.

“It is clear from the results that coal from some areas of the deposit may not need to be washed,” Paull said.

“While this will result in lower operating costs and less required coal washing capacity, it also means potentially higher committed tonnage for the proposed Ovoot to Erdenet rail line.”

Aspire has entered an agreement with coal processing and engineering specialist Sedgman to help the company with the initial wash plant scoping study.

Aspire has its eyes set on stage two development of its coking coal project, which will include a scoping study and the aforementioned initial wash plant scoping study.

So far work on infrastructure and a scoping study have already begun as part of stage two for the Ovoot project, which is based on the establishment of railway from Ovoot through Moron to the nearest existing railhead at Erdenet.

A stage two scoping study is expected to be finished by the end of 2011.