Further exploration activities are planned in 2017 to derisk the project, the company said in a presentation for a site visit to Isaac Plains.

Stanmore said it was also seeking to derisk its planned nearby Isaac Plains East open cut project.

The coal from Isaac Plains East has improved coking properties and coking fraction compared to its existing Isaac Plains operation.

It also has a low strip ratio coal starting at less than 6:1, with an average over the first four years of sub 10:1, which is lower than Isaac Plains.

“Environmental Authority amendment and Mining Lease Applications were submitted in October 2016,” Stanmore said.

“Landholder and stakeholder negotiations are underway.”

A staged de-risking of the project was carried out by undertaking an initial exploration program in late 2015.

 

Further drilling will start in December, providing closer points of observation for detailed planning.