Celsius Coal completes drilling programme

Celsius Coal has completed its 2013 field exploration programme at its Uzgen Basin coking coal project in Kyrgyzstan.

Celsius drilled 11 holes for a total of 4050 m, the largest drilling programme undertaken by Celsius to date. At Kargasha, 2304 m of drilling was completed, while at Kokkia, 1746 m was completed.

Analysis of the data and coal samples has commenced which will include reviewing seam correlation and construction of a 3D model prior to updating resources statement. Coal samples are being sent to laboratories in Russia and Australia for testing of a range of coking and other properties.

Coal intersections were observed at both Kargasha and Kokkia, with cumulative thickness of up to 16.28 m and individual seams of up to 2.58 m.

Highlights include:

• Near-surface results at Kokkia show additional open-pit/auger potential.
• At Kargasha, results show that coal seams continue in the east of the license area, where no previous drilling has been conducted.

Geotechnical data for mine design purposes was collected, with 283 samples across the two project areas.

Celsius’ focus is now on progressing as quickly as possible to revised resource statements for both Kargasha and Kokkia, and then to the completion of mine studies. This will include the continued assessment of augers/high wall miners for rapid production startup.

Additionally, the company will be looking to establish and offtake agreement with potential Chinese customers.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/24102013/celsius_coal_completes_drilling_programme_178/