The Perth-based explorer says independent geologists have estimated a combined exploration target of 6.6-18.7 billion tonnes of thermal coal among the four tenements.

Documentation for the agreements has been submitted to the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines and is now awaiting ministerial approval, which NSL expects will take four to five weeks to complete.

The final granting process is planned to be completed in the third quarter of 2012.

NSL said it intended to schedule an exploration drilling program once the permits 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.

The Eromanga tenements cover 2585sq.km in southwest Queensland and are adjacent to similar projects held by East Energy Resources and International Coal.

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