During the March quarter, the Eastern (90%) and Mitsui (10%) joint venture completed stage one of its feasibility study of the Broughton project and now plans to begin stage 2 to finalise a preferred mine plan and project development strategy. The tenement is located immediately south of Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek project in the northern part of Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

During the quarter, Eastern employed Queensland Geological Services to conduct a preliminary geological review of existing data on its Dorben project, situated around Cockatoo Coal’s Dingo exploration area.

Eastern said the Dorben permit area could be prospective for low volatile Pulverised Coal Injection (PCI) coal. A more detailed investigation including a seismic survey and drill holes is being planned for the area.

At the company’s only operating mine – the Cascade opencut in New Zealand – Eastern worked to modify the existing mine operations and administering of systems; sought to optimise coal production levels; and developed and refined existing geological models and mine plans during the March quarter.