APAC Coal updates E. Kalimatan drilling activity
Saturday, August 1 2009 - 01:47 AM WIB
Exploration and Drilling Program Update
The drilling program within the 890 Ha Bekosos Lempesu Block in East Kalimantan commenced on 18 May 2009 and is progressing satisfactorily. The base camp for our technical supervision team was completed as planned.
The program is being field managed by the Ravensgate Team. The site base camp was established with minimal delays and has provided a central control centre and drill core processing area.
The drilling program did not start on schedule because of a number of mobilisation issues but PT Dunggio Drilling (website www.dunggiodrilling.com ), has performed as expected to date, since commencing the program. Normal operational issues have been encountered.
A total of 1,923 metres of drilling have been completed, within the 890 ha. Block, to date. All of the holes planned within the 890 hectares have been completed. A number of holes remain to be drilled. Drilling has been restricted to 100 metres at this time because of the focus on definition of the coal opportunity in the 890 ha. planned mining area.
Core recovery has been good and all coal intersections are being sampled for analysis in contracted laboratories. It is understood that complete results will not be available until the end of August.
Although it is early to be precise the program is providing a developing database which is facilitating a better understanding of the geology South of the Kendilo River.
A number of coal outcrops were located in the Tanjung and Pamaluan Formations. The development of multiple coal seams is common in the Tanjung Formation. The area holds good exploration potential. Detailed mapping, pitting and sampling is planned to assess the full potential of the Southern Block.
The first batch of core samples were despatched on 26 June to GeoServices in Balikpapan, for analysis. Some results from these samples have been received and are being processed.
Additional samples were submitted on 18 July. The results are expected in the second half of August 2009.
During the next quarter the drilling program will be extended to test other high potential targets within the Northern Block. This drilling is of a more exploratory nature. It is envisaged that drilling will continue at approximately 600 metre per month till year end. (end of edited excerpt)