Chairman Bob Cameron said the data package contained extensive drilling and geophysical data extracted from a major drilling program conducted on the area by Texaco in the 1980s.

“The package contains geological and geophysical data relating to 18 drill holes in the Shell Creek project area, which is in addition to the holes recently drilled by the company,” he said.

“A geological assessment is currently being conducted, which should assist in finalising a resource upgrade for the project in January 2012.

“The company’s second stage drilling program will also be adjusted to incorporate the additional data obtained from the data package.”

County Coal also exercised its option over the additional property in the Miller project area.

Accordingly, its fully owned, total JORC resource increases by 89 million tonnes to 642Mt, of which 310Mt is a JORC-measured resource at the Miller project area.

The company also recently exercised an option to acquire an additional 90 acres of land (including coal rights) at Shell Creek, adjacent to the Shell Creek project area.

“The company believes the property is likely to contain contiguous seams of similar quality and thickness to that of the current project area and expects to be able to include these in its resource upgrade in January 2012,” Cameron said.

County Coal expects to begin work on the necessary mine plans for its two projects early this year.

The new technical data and results of its stage 2 drilling program will be incorporated into the mine plan at Shell Creek.

The Miller project area already contains a JORC-measured resource and the company will begin its mine plan for the project in early 2012.

Cameron said the company commenced discussions with a number of ports and infrastructure providers in the US to enable supply to Asian markets.