“Drilling is occurring at an effective rate to date and is likely to continue subject to favourable weather conditions over the next three to six weeks,” the company said.

“As a result of this positive progress, the board [is] confident stages 1 and 2 of the South Blackall drill campaign can be completed prior to our original target date.”

Downwire logging is to be completed on all holes over the forthcoming weeks and diamond drilling is likely to be undertaken at the completion of this program.

Diamond drilling is proposed by the company on a number of holes in order to accurately determine coal quality.

Core from the cored holes shall be made available to SGS Laboratories for review and analysis.

International recently completed due diligence on an acquisition of Queensland coking and thermal coal assets surrounding Anglo American’s Callide open pit thermal coal mine and lying 120km from the port of Gladstone.

The acquisition of Great White Nominees would deliver the company ownership of EPC 1507 and EPCAs 2631, 2633 and 2774.