Bowen Coking Coal has announced a 43 million-tonne maiden resource estimate for the Hillalong North coal deposit, east of Glenden in Central Queensland.

It says 19.5Mt of that resource is shallower than 150m deep, a typical cut-off for open-cut resources.

“We are extremely excited about the outcome of the company’s maiden exploration program for Hillalong North, both in terms of the resource
estimate and the coal quality observed,” managing director Gerhard Redelinghuys said.

“The resource area is open in both directions, which will be targeted in future exploration programs to increase the resource.

“Initial indications from the raw coal analysis and available fast floats demonstrated the potential for a very high quality coking coal from the shallow Elphinstone and Hynds coal seams”

The deposit is part of Bowen Coking Coal’s Hillalong coking coal project, near the Hail Creek mine in the northern Bowen Basin.

Exploration expenditure for Hillalong is covered under a farm-in agreement with Sumitomo, which holds a 10 per cent interest in the project – having spent $2.5 million to date.

Bowen Coking Coal said a drilling program was completed in May, with the main target seams encountered in about 75 per cent of the holes from depths as shallow as 5m (weathered) and 12m (unweathered).

The 43Mt Hillalong North resource includes 21Mt classified as indicated and 22Mt as inferred.

Fast float and washability analysis is underway and work has commenced on defining the next phase exploration plan.