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The exploration confirmed the presence of a 35m-40m thick coal zone between 20m and 200m deep.
Analytical results are expected to be available by mid-October and an updated measured resource is projected for late November.
The site’s inferred and indicated coal resource stands at 1.3 billion tonnes of coal.
Universal said a concept study conducted at Berenice-Cygnus earlier this year suggested an operation in the area had the potential to produce 10 million tonnes per annum of coal over a 25-year mine life.
Universal chief executive Tony Weber said completion of the latest drilling had increased company confidence in the Berenice-Cygnus resource.
“The results of the technical analysis of the drilling campaign in terms of coal qualities flowing into an update on technical modelling will continue to demonstrate the resource and allow the company to continue its positioning of this important asset,” he said.
Upcoming drilling will focus on the northern end of the project, with a 47-hole campaign planned for 2013.
An environmental risk assessment, geotechnical study and geohydrological survey are ongoing in anticipation of a pre-feasibility study.
Berenice-Cygnus is expected to produce both soft coking and secondary thermal coal.
