Three bulk samples provided more than 350 kilograms of coal from five main economic seams just 15-24 metres from the surface.
The bulk extraction site targeted an area where coal was also close to the line of oxidation, but East Energy said the samples still displayed good calorific values and relatively low ash levels.
“Float sink testing of the coal seam composites from the bulk sample over a range of densities has shown that an SG [specific gravity] of 1.6 gives the optimum balance between the final product quality and yield,” exploration manager Peter Tighe said.
“The test results of the washed coal (F1.60) composites are very encouraging.
“They show a yield of around 70 per cent with an average calorific value of 6755 kilocalories per kilogram on a dry ash free basis.
“It is low in sulfur, has low to medium ash and moderate moisture levels.
“The volatile content averages between 30 per cent and 32 per cent, typical of many Australian bituminous coals.”
More testing is underway at ALS’ laboratory in Maitland, New South Wales.
Commodities trader Noble Group acquired a 19.99% stake in the Queensland coal explorer in May, while East Energy established 1.2 billion tonnes of inferred coal resources in the southern part of the tenement in the Eromanga Basin last year.
The Cooper-Eromanga Basin is a well-established hunting ground and production area for the petroleum industry
Shares in the explorer closed up 16.7% to 21c on Friday.
