Coal exploration targets have been estimated, totalling some 405 to 540 Million tonnes
Altera has a total of 12 Exploration Permits for Coal applications (EPCAs) lodged with the Department of Mines and Energy, Queensland in the Clarence-Moreton Basin in South East Queensland and Bowen Basin in northern Queensland covering an area of over 5,600 km2.
A detailed open file data review and geological compilation completed on 10 EPCA’s in the Clarence-Moreton Basin has highlighted that:
- Altera’s EPCAs cover a strategic area with actual and potential for large tonnages of thermal coal.
- A large Inventory coal tonnage has been established, from which several Exploration Targets have been estimated, totalling some 405 to 540 Million tonnes.
- Whilst these Exploration Targets are conceptual in nature, there is potential for both open cut and underground mining in each area.
- Expected product coals range from domestic to export thermal and perhaps a semi-soft coking coal.
A number of Exploration Target areas that have been identified will be the subject of follow up exploration drilling programs with the aim of converting the Exploration Targets into coal resources suitable for reporting to the JORC Standard.
Data review and compilation of Altera’s other EPCAs covering an area of over 80km2 in the Bowen Basin is underway. These EPCAs also have the potential for the discovery of new coal deposits.
The Company is reviewing new coal opportunities to complement its existing EPCAs in Queensland.