Multiple coal seams were intersected in all of the completed core holes, with coal seams open along strike and down dip.

Raw coal calorific values ranged from 10 to 26 megajoules per kilogram.

The discovery also confirmed the presence of vitrinite bands, highlighting the potential for coking coal properties.

African Energy said the discovery was in close proximity to two existing coal mines, and was in an area where the Zambian government has announced plans to build new coal-fired power stations.

During a reconnaissance exploration program undertaken in mid-2011, coal bearing sediments with a strike length of about 10km were identified in the Sinazongwe East tenement.

African Energy will now undertake assessments of the coking coal and washing yields.

The company is already heavily invested in neighbouring Botswana, which is the location of its flagship Sese project.

Sese has the potential to produce 1-2 million tonnes per annum from mid-2013.

Zambia is emerging as a new coal destination in Africa, a country which has historically been recognized for its copper production.