The Ekhgoviin Chuluu Joint Venture (ECJV) – a joint venture between Aspire Mining and Noble Group – has began its 2015 exploration programme at the Nuurstei metallurgical coal project (Nuurstei).
The ECJV has budgeted a US$1.5 million spend on the programme throughout the year. This will include approximately 40 core and PQ diamond drill holes targeted at establishing a maiden JORC 2012 compliance coal resource.
Mobilsation of staff, contractors, equipment and a drill rig to the site has occurred.
A single core hole drilled in 2014 in the centre of the deposit indicated the presence of high quality hard coking coal. Additional test-work will be implemented to confirm the coal quality throughout the deposit.
Pending positive results from the programme, a scoping study will also be undertaken.
Following results from the exploration programme and the scoping study, a decision on the development for Nuurstei can be made as early as next year.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs