Buckley, who has over 30 years in the Australian coal industry, was formerly operations director and executive director - business development with Gloucester Coal Limited, which has almost completed an $8 billion merger with the Chinese-owned Yancoal Australia.

Most recently he was business executive and acting general manager for Queensland with global mining services company Runge, Tiaro chairman Tan Sri Ibrahim Menudin said.

“Dan’s background in project development, mining operations and business development will significantly enhance the company’s capabilities. His appointment represents a major step towards realising the full potential of Tiaro Coal’s Queensland coal assets.”

Buckley will be based in Brisbane where he will establish Tiaro Coal’s Queensland operational office, and establish a team that will aim to define, assess and develop the coal resources within the company’s tenements.

While an initial focus will be on the advancement of its Maryborough Basin assets, exploration of other tenements and identification of further coal assets will be a priority, Menudin said.