The JORC-compliant resource statement completed by Optiro will enable Nimrodel to advance with a scoping study for the project, which is scheduled for reporting in the first quarter of 2012.

The resource identified a 57% yield and a washed resource of 2.395Bt.

Nimrodel Resources managing director Chris Mason said the resource statement confirmed the tenement had huge potential.

“The sheer size of the inferred resource has surpassed all our expectations and we are delighted at the high calorific value of the coal,” he said.

The company has a 70% stake in the project and a 65% interest in Triprop Energy which owns tenements to the south of Takatokwane.

Nimrodel said the tenement was located just 195km from the Botswana capital Gaborone, in the southern belt of the Central Kalahari sub-basin and was directly accessible by existing infrastructure.