An initial 10-hole drilling program has commenced at the Langloh (Hamilton) coal project, which comprises a granted tenement covering an area of 103sqkm in the Derwent valley region. The project area was drilled and sampled by Capricorn Resources and Petrecon Australia between 1981 and 1982, with a total of 28 holes completed for 1,413mt of drilling.
This resulted in the definition of an initial joint ore reserves committee (JORC) compliant in situ inferred black coal resource of 10 million tonnes within an area approximately 7.25km long by 4.5km wide. Three seams were delineated averaging 3.6mt in cumulative width and lying within a maximum 45mt below surface.
Three RAB holes will test for extensions to the existing resource, which remains open both along strike and at depth. A further seven diamond holes will be drilled to extract samples for coal quality analysis. The Langloh project is located with respect to infrastructure. Historical and recent analysis of the coal suggests that it is of medium calorific value, possibly suitable for export markets in Asia.
Following completion of the Langloh drilling, a second program comprising 23 holes of RAB drilling and two diamond drill holes will be undertaken at the Avoca project. The objectives of the drilling are to extract samples for coal quality analysis and test the area’s coal bearing potential. Coal has been mined in the area surrounding Avoca almost continually since 1923. The historically worked seams display thickness of up to 3.6m in places.
James Hamilton, managing director of Spitfire, said: “The current drilling program follows extensive and detailed planning in conjunction with our consultants over the past 12 months. Drilling will target the opportunity to expand the existing resource at Langloh and to test the extent and quality of outcropping coal seams at Avoca.
“In addition, diamond drilling will be undertaken to extract samples for a detailed 3-month program of coal quality analysis which will be crucial to determining the next steps.”
