EastCoal Inc.: New West Block of Coal
15.09.2011 | Marketwire
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire - Sept. 15, 2011) - EastCoal Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ECX) (the "Company" or "EastCoal") is pleased to announce that recent work at the main Verticalnaya anthracite mine has established that access to a new West Block in the west extension of seam H8 can be readily established. While access from the former mine into that area had been sealed off and was believed to be flooded, investigation of a ventilation drift has established that the access is free of water.
Records indicate that the West Block of the H8 seam initially extends for approximately 2.5 kilometers along strike and 3 kilometers down dip. Seam thickness is recorded in the region of 0.6 meters, which is less than for the other areas now being developed but can be mined with modern western equipment. Mining of this large block of coal was not included in previous mine plans. Further extensions in the west are possible. An independent NI 43-101 compliant technical report is being commissioned to evaluate the coal resources in the West Block. Until this is completed, it is not possible to define a resource.
On definition of a resource tonnage, the Company expects to develop quickly into the new area.
Initial development of the new block will involve the driving of an in-seam access roadway from the -645 meter level to intersect the old ventilation drift and establish a ventilation circuit; while that drift will be redeveloped to surface as the West Block conveyor system.
The potential of the West Block is significant in that, if developed, it could bring forward commercial production from the H8 seam by as much as 12 months and add to the overall production of the mine. Incremental production in the early years will be particularly important. There could then be three conveyor systems to surface: the Main Mine conveyor drift being redeveloped now for the H8 development; the Verticalnaya North conveyor system currently being driven from surface to the H11 seam; and the new conveyor system for the West Block of H8 coal.
The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Colin Stocks, a Qualified Person and Technical Director of the Company.
By Order of the Board,
John Byrne
Chairman and CEO
About EastCoal Inc.
The Company changed its name to EastCoal Inc. in early 2011, to reflect its new strategy of developing coal operations. It is focused on the Donbass coal basin of Ukraine which has large coal reserves and excellent prospects.
EastCoal Inc. is currently developing its 100% owned Verticalnaya anthracite mine.
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Contact Information
EastCoal Inc.
John Byrne, Chairman and CEO
604-681-8069
604-685-4675 (FAX)
www.eastcoal.ca