Drilling will identify any additional tonnage and take the resource to measured status. Large-scale samples will also be taken for pilot scale carbonisation testing to further clarify coke drum strength indices and possibly upgrade the classification of the Broughton coal.

Eastern said joint venture negotiations were continuing with surrounding Bowen Basin tenement holders with a view to either farming into additional reserves to increase production tonnage or to share infrastructure costs to enable development of the existing Broughton resource.

In a move from explorer to producer, Eastern announced in January its intention to purchase the Cascade coal mining operation in New Zealand’s south island. Last week Eastern finalised the purchase for $NZ3.5 million.