The seams had previously been deemed viable for the domestic market only.
The McLeod seam was upgraded to export status after the life of mine clean coal yield summary increased to 42.5%, up from 33.8%.
Coalspur said along with the McLeod seam, the Val D’Or and McPherson seams were also now suitable for export markets.
The test work on the project also improved the overall life of mine clean coal yield to 56% up from 50%, as estimated in the pre-feasibility study.
The coal quality testing, which was carried out by coal industry consultant Robert Leach, included extensive testing of data put together from 66 core holes and a three-tonne bulk sample, which was completed by Coalspur in September 2010.
The extensive coal quality test program was part of Coalspur’s ongoing bankable feasibility study on the project, which is scheduled for completion by December 2011.
Coalspur managing director Gene Wusaty said the upgraded coal seams would validate the marketing potential of both of Vista’s coal products for the export thermal coal markets.
“The significant improvement in clean coal yield is very positive for Vista’s project economics as it will increase the additional clean coal produced at Vista and reduce unit mining costs over the life of the mine,” Wusaty said.
The Vista project is targeting a 31-year mine life for 9 million tonnes per annum of saleable thermal coal production.
A pre-feasibility study on the proposed mine defined an initial marketable reserve of over 260Mt, making it one of the largest undeveloped thermal coal projects in North America.