The two scenarios came from UK-based consultancy Wardell Armstrong International, which completed the geology and mine planning components of the scoping study for Nimrodel’s Takatokwane project.
In regards to the bigger open cut option, Nimrodel said the 20Mtpa of saleable thermal coal could supply a variety of markets.
The smaller underground mining option could help supply thermal coal to power-hungry Botswana and South Africa.
The possible underground development is also expected to cater for local coal to liquids production – with Botswana importing all of its transportation fuel from South Africa.
The Perth-based explorer will continue discussions over supplying coal for power and CTL production while it aims to undertake more drilling to improve the understanding of the project’s 4.2 billion tonnes of thermal coal resources.
