Evolution will also serve as the nominated advisor to COA.

The coal explorer said Mirabaud Securities will remain on board as a company joint broker.

“The appointment of Morgan Stanley and Evolution Securities adds a wealth of experience in the resources sector and complements COA’s growth strategy,” COA managing director Simon Farrell said.

“These appointments come at an exciting time for COA as the company makes the transition from developer to producer and considers admission to the official list in London."

COA is already registering on London’s Alternative Investment Market junior stock exchange, the Johannesburg stock exchange as well as the Australian Securities Exchange.

The company has four projects in South Africa, with its key wholly-owned Mooiplaats underground thermal coal mine starting to cut coal with its first continuous miner in November and the second due to start up.

COA last month announced it had secured 900,000 tonnes per annum of port allocation at Richard’s Bay from this year, and aims to lift levels to 3 million tonnes per annum once the terminal is expanded.

Shares in the company last traded at 1.5c down to 80.5c on the ASX.