NSL has been largely focused on exploring and producing iron ore in India but is expanding its asset base to include coal.

NSL’s exploration permit applications 2198, 2336, 2337 and 2338 are situated in the Eromanga Basin of southwest Queensland, where the likes of Eastern Energy and International Coal have made recent coal discoveries.

The application areas host a combined total exploration target of 6.6-18.7 billion tonnes of thermal coal.

NSL said it intended to schedule an exploration drilling program on the tenement package once the applications had been formally granted.

A maiden nine hole scoping drill campaign is being considered as a precursor to a full exploration drilling schedule.

The company completed and updated technical modelling and an interpretation schedule on the tenements during the half year ended December 31, 2011.

Granting by the Queensland government is now pending on coal exploration permit EPCA 2198, an area totalling 232sq.km over 75 sub-blocks located 75km west of Augathella.

The remaining three applications are to be advertised under the formal notice of proposed grant of exploration permit for coal protocols.

NSL said it had progressed native title discussions with relevant parties, with completion of the discussions imminent.