Takatokwane South phase 1 drilling began in October last year and consisted of 16 diamond coreholes and 11 reverse circulation holes.

Drilling yielded good widths of coal seam, while deeper drilling intercepted up to six seams at the tenement.

Coal horizons up to 21m thick were also identified.

Nimrodel managing director Chris Mason said the positive results yielded from phase 1 exploration boosted the company’s confidence moving onto the next phase of drilling.

“The results from phase 1 drilling at Takatokwane South are extremely positive and indicate an extension of the coal horizons at Takatokwane,” Mason said.

“The phase 2 drilling program is currently being prepared and now that we have a better understanding of the entire sub basin our focus is twofold.

“Firstly, adding to the overall inferred resource category through Takatokwane South and secondly, by targeting a portion of the overall resource for the indicated resource category.”

The company said results to date indicated the coal at Takatokwane South was similar to its Takatokwane project, which has a 4.23Bt inferred resource.

Nimrodel has a 65% stake in Takatokwane South and a 70% stake in Takatokwane.

The projects are located approximately 195km west of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone.