The concept study predicted that the project could be developed under a staged approach, with initial production starting at a modest 1Mtpa in 2013.

With existing infrastructure, stage two could increase coal production to 5Mtpa, which would involve additional coal sales to power stations.

African Energy said 20Mtpa of coal production would be viable under stage three and four of the Sese coal project, but with new infrastructure stage four production could exceed 30Mtpa.

Mining methods for the operation include draglines with large electric rope shovels and hydraulic excavators.

The project is 50 kilometres to the south of the mining hub of Francistown with nearby existing rail and road infrastructure connecting through to neighbouring Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The company recently raised $A15 million in an oversubscribed placement to help it develop the Sese project.