The PFS is expected to be completed in March.

Process plant modelling undertaken by Sedgman as part of the PFS has identified three possible products that could be yielded from Ovoot.

These include an unwashed product that bypasses the wash plant, a premium low-ash product and a blended low-ash product.

The Ovoot project is situated just 300km to the northwest of the Elegest coking coal province which has more than 1 billion tonnes of coal reserves.

As well as progressing with its PFS for Ovoot during the December 2011 quarter, the company also identified a new coal resource some 4km northeast of the existing Ovoot resource.

An initial raw coal analysis found the tenement was prospective for coking coal and was similar in nature to its Ovoot tenement.

Aspire said washing testwork would now be performed to understand the project’s preliminary wash yields and potential product specifications.

Meanwhile, the December quarter marked the discovery of attractive targets at its Hurimt and Zuun Del prospects within the Ovoot coking coal Basin.

The tenements will be targeted as part of the 2012 exploration program, with a drill rig and camp expected to be set up in February.

Aspire has earmarked a 6500m drilling program for its three coal exploration projects in 2012.