A big two-week period for the company started on November 12 when it appointed 39-year industry veteran Karl Gurr to head the advisory board, along with experienced Peruvian geological engineers Manuel Chumpitaz Cama and Tito Lindorfo.

The Preuvian pair will be AIM’s on-the-ground eyes to expand production from the independent contractors and mapping out and putting additional tunnels into production.

Chinese national Chen Yangqian, also on the specialist advisory board, will be marketing the anthracite in China and has already contacted several interested parties.

On November 17 AIM announced it had submitted applications for environmental and archaeological studies to the Peruvian government – the two big ones needed for the government to give the project the go-ahead.

AIM has been negotiating with the Port of Salaverry while it seeks a nearby storage and sorting facility for the anthracite, with its Trujillo having already identified several suitable locations for the facility which will allow the company to sell the coal to the local market while showcasing the anthracite for international buyers.

The company is also on the lookout for an operational office in Lima to help its further development in Peru and the international market, as having a strong presence in Lima would allow it to further expand operations and sales.

Then, most recently, the all-important community acceptance was formally granted, with the local council for Lajon Village accepting the development of the mine after AIM explained the project to all residents to prevent any future disruption of mining activities should a new council be elected.

More than 80% of the area residents have signed off on the project.

Sorting out what is a notorious issue in Latin America, AIM said most local artisanal miners who are currently mining on the properties signed independent contractor agreements with the company to mine the existing 20 tunnels on its property.

AIM will now be able to go into production as soon as all government approvals are obtained. The company expects the government approvals by the first quarter of 2015.

AIM president Bob Todhunter said not only was this latest development good for the local community but” great news” for his shareholders.

“The local community will benefit from increased employment, better infrastructure and a better local economy,” he said.

“The shareholders of AEXE [its OTC stock ticker code] should see a benefit to the share value and the development of a solid mining company. This is a win for all involved.”