On behalf of the Hunter Exploration Group, APEX Geoscience completed visits to a total of 22 sites within the licenses during August 2005. Surface sampling identified three coal seams from which samples were taken, with two of the seams measuring 5-6 meters in thickness and the third approximately 8 meters thick.
The coal was submitted for analysis to Loring Laboratories in Calgary, Alberta, and returned values ranging from 5,659 to 8,049 British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) on an “as received” basis to 8,349 to 11,122 Btu/lb on a “dry basis.” Sulphur values remained low ranging from 0.13% to a high of 0.49%, while ash values ranged from 5.13% to 16.38% on an “as received” basis to a range of 7.19% to 24.17% on a “dry basis.”
An aggressive exploration program is recommended at the Ellesmere Island Coal Project, based on the results of historic exploration and favourable geology, aimed at confirming the earlier estimates of coal and defining NI 43-101 compliant coal resources/reserves. The report recommends the completion of project logistics and a partial mobilization of fuel during summer 2009 in preparation for a 2010 drilling campaign.
