- Atrum Coal (ATU) has announced further thick coal intersections at Isolation South within the Elan Hard Coking Coal Project in southern Alberta, Canada
- The company is conducting a 115-hole rotary air blast drilling program to test the inferred resource areas at Isolation South
- Total coal thickness averaged 32 metres per hole and starting from as little as three metres below the surface
- Atrum Coal is also drilling six large diameter core holes
- Both programs are expected to be completed by the end of the year
- Company shares are trading flat at 26 cents each
Atrum Coal (ATU) has announced further thick coal intersections at Isolation South within the Elan Hard Coking Coal Project in southern Alberta, Canada.
An exploration drilling program began in May and, so far, 60 out of 115 rotary air blast (RAB) holes have been completed. This program comprises 11,000 metres of drilling to test the inferred resource areas in the central to northern parts of Isolation South.
So far, drilling has managed to establish that the coal seams of the Mist Mountain Formations are continuous over the pit shell area identified in the Elan Scoping Study.
Total apparent coal thicknesses averaged 32 metres per hole drilled. This aligned with Atrum’s expectations of those areas in which the holes were drilled. The coal intersections were also shallow with starting depth being as little as three metres below the surface.
In particular, the coal seams are in two main packages with good seam continuity between holes. Seam 3 is developing a thick package overall, with the distance to Seam 4 decreasing to almost become one with the base of Seam 3.
Drilling progressed up onto the North 1 domain and all holes intersected coal near expected depths. However, some holes near the top of the ridge indicated some faulting.
Drilling in the Central 2 domain has shown the presence of more coal relative to previous models and most holes have encountered thick sequences of seams 3 and 4 from shallow depths. This can be considered for quick access to early coal when developing the mining sequence for the upcoming pre-feasibility study (PFS).
“The coal intersections from the first half of the 2020 RAB drilling program are highly encouraging,” CEO Andrew Caruso said.
“In particular, the results deliver enhanced confidence towards achieving our target of significantly upgrading classification of the Inferred resource component at Isolation South,” Andrew added.
Additionally, drilling of large diameter core (LDC) holes has commenced with two LDC rigs now on site.
So far, six holes have been completed which have obtained good core recoveries.
The planned coring program consists of 32 LDC holes and is aimed at demonstrating continuity of coal quality characteristics over the Isolation South area.
Both the RAB and LDC programs are expected to be completed before the interim Elan Project resource update that is targeted for the December quarter.
Company shares are trading flat at 26 cents each just before market close.