Lynch, who is the executive chairman of Cokal, said he has also recruited Indonesian nationals Yoga Suryanegara as resource and exploration geologist and Williem Hartono as marketing assistant.

“These appointments represent a serious increase in our capabilities,” he said.

“We are finding a lot of interest from professionals within the coal industry who would like to be part of what promises to be a dynamic enterprise based on positive and agile decision making.”

Cokal, headquartered in Brisbane, has prospective coking coal projects in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, and recently announced a joint venture to explore for coal in Tanzania.

Imber has been in charge of the approvals process for Waratah’s proposed $8 billion coal mine and infrastructure project in the Galilee Basin in Central Queensland owned by Clive Palmer.

Suryanegara, who will oversee the implementation of drilling programs due to commence in Central Kalimantan, was previously a senior geologist with Caledon Coal.

Hartono was previously employed in business development with Coal Marketing International.

Cokal, formerly known as Altera Resources, completed a $20 million capital raising in the December quarter.

“We have the financial backing and the commitment and experience to bring these assets to production,” Lynch said after the name change to Cokal last month.

Drilling in the company’s Indonesian projects is scheduled to take place during this quarter while drilling in Tanzania is slated for the June quarter.

An initial resource estimate from at least one of Cokal’s four Kalimantan projects is expected to be announced in the September quarter.