Yari Minerals (ASX:YAR) has secured key regulatory and landholder approvals for the group’s inaugural drilling program at the Rolleston South Coal Project in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
The drilling program, managed by Xenith Consulting, includes six reverse-circulation and diamond drill holes for a total of 2,000m.
According to Yari, the campaign will test high-priority targets, upgrade the project’s existing 190-million-tonne JORC Inferred Resource to ‘indicated status,’ and confirm the presence of high-quality semi-soft metallurgical coal through core sampling.
Managing Director Anthony Italiano said the approvals represented the culmination of months of preparation and reflected strong momentum since Yari’s recent capital raising.
“By appointing Xenith Consulting, a highly experienced coal sector consultancy, Yari is well-positioned to execute an efficient and effective program,” he said.
“This pivotal step in our transition into the coal sector holds the potential to deliver significant shareholder value.”
The Rolleston South project is approximately 15 kilometres south of Glencore’s Rolleston Mine and benefits from extensive existing infrastructure, including sealed roads and a rail link to the Gladstone Port.
In a statement, the company said upcoming works will also include geotechnical assessments to support future studies and potential resource expansion. Results from the initial campaign will guide the next phase of exploration and underpin future development decisions.
Yari acquired 100% ownership of Rolleston South, which covers 272 square kilometres across two exploration permits, targeting coal seams within the Bandanna Formation.
In August, Yari reported a 26% increase in the Rolleston South JORC (2012) Inferred Mineral Resource to approximately 190 million tonnes of high-quality thermal coal. The upgrade, achieved through a data-sharing agreement, also highlighted potential for reclassification as semi-soft coking coal through further test work.
Write to Dan Petrie at Mining.com.au
Images: Yari Minerals
