Company officials said the company investing about $C187,000 ($A191,000) over the next six months to take up its rights as 13.3% shareholder and also buy those shares of some of the founders not participating in this round. That will, in turn, give it ownership of 19.91%.

Carbhid is developing underground operations for Escalones, targeting thermal and metallurgical-grade coal.

Crews completed the El Diamante inclined shaft and related reserve development last year, allowing initial small-scale production for sale to a local thermo-electric power plant earlier this year.

Lara's initial investment, announced this February, was earmarked for completion of the resource development at El Diamante as well as the excavation of a second inclined shaft, Carbhid 2.

That shaft is nearly complete.

The latest rights issue funds would be invested in better marketing of production from El Diamante and Carbhid 2, the producer said, as well as the development of a third inclined shaft, Carbhid 4, which will access the La Cisquera coal bed.

La Cisquera is 4.5m thick, which will let Carbhid produce on a larger scale.

Lara holds a diverse portfolio of prospects and deposits in Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Chile.

Its shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under LRA.