Carabella managing director and former Anglo American metallurgical coal operations manager Mitch Jakeman said better weather conditions enabled the company to focus on improving Grosvenor West’s resource definition.

“In the June quarter improved weather and ground conditions allowed a significant ramp up in field activities with uninterrupted drilling,” Jakeman said.

“Our drilling results to date have been as expected and continue to meet our resource model predictions.”

An additional 25 bore holes at Grosvenor West were drilled in the June quarter, bringing the total number of holes drilled to 41.

The latest drilling results include 12 holes intersecting averages of 8m of coal in two seams and at depths of 111-145m.

Meanwhile coal samples from the cores have confirmed the presence of coking coal properties of the target seams.

The data is being assessed ahead of the washability testing program scheduled to commence next quarter.

A seismic survey program for the project will continue to be delayed until the selected contractor becomes available in August.

The availability of a contractor has been delayed due to a backlog caused by adverse weather conditions at the beginning of the year.

Carabella has secured three additional staff and drill rigs for the next quarter with the aim of increasing drilling intensity.

“In the next quarter we have scheduled additional drill rigs to increase our drilling progress with the aim of completing our Grosvenor West drilling program prior to the rainy wet season and are confident that we can commence the seismic surveys that have been delayed since the end of 2010,” Jakeman said.