The company was pleased with the coal quality analysis results from the initial four deep holes.
All target seams are expected to produce coal that either meets market specifications or exceeds them.
The Whynot seam is expected to produce a very low-ash, semi-soft coking coal product with a crucible swell number of 4-5 and a yield of more than 93%.
Conceptual mine plans for the target seams are underway while transport corridors will be identified for more detailed investigation.
At the end of this month NuCoal expects to announce its drilling results and three rigs are continuing to operate in the project.
NuCoal also negotiated the purchase of another 40 hectares of land next to the 200ha it already owns in the project area.
The additional parcel of land sits next to the 280ha that NuCoal contracted to purchase in the first quarter of 2013.
“In total, NuCoal now has 520 hectares of contiguous land across the Doyles Creek tenement,” the company said.
“Further land purchases are currently being negotiated.”
NuCoal managing director Glen Lewis said the project was progressing well and was on track to deliver the revised resources statement in December.
“Initial coal quality results from the exploration are extremely pleasing and we are confident that the multi-seam deposit will support our belief that the Doyles Creek operation will be a first-class mining and training facility,” he said.
A trainee geologist has started working along with two trainee drillers.
NuCoal recently launched a scholarship program that provides five sponsored positions at the University of Newcastle.
The scholarships are available to students from the Upper Hunter region, who wish to pursue a career in geology or earth sciences, and are valued at up to $A7000 each per year for three years.
In regards to NuCoal’s training mine, the company is continuing discussions with the project’s partners: Hunter Valley Training Company, University of Newcastle and Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
NuCoal’s vision for Doyles Creek is a commercial longwall mine alongside Australia’s first coal-centric training facility.
Shares in the company are unchanged at 23.5c.
