Altona is aiming to unlock the value contained in its 7.8 billion tonne (non JORC) coal resource in the Arckaringa basin by converting the coal into methanol (coal to methanol or CTM). This is a high value-add product with both a domestic and overseas market. The coal is a chemical feedstock, not for burning.
Coal Resources (non JORC)
| Deposit | Million Tonnes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measured* | Indicated* | Inferred* | Total | |
| Wintinna | 1,150 | 750 | 2,000 | 3,900 |
| Westfield | 100 | 200 | 500 | 800 |
| Murloocoppie | 250 | 300 | 2,600 | 3,150 |
| * based on JORC equivalent standards of the day | 7,850 | |||
As shown in the next table (also from the ‘South Australia Mineral Explorers Guide’ – PIRSA), the Wintinna deposit contains the highest quality and largest quantity of “Measured” and “Indicated” coal in South Australia (although note that the variation in the coal resource numbers for Wintinna from the table above are largely due to changes in reporting standards over time).
Major Coal Deposits in South Australia - in situ tonnage and quality
The exploration programme in 2007 – 2008 resulted in an updated JORC compliant Resources Estimate for an area covering 25% of the known Wintinna deposit, as shown in the following table.
| Million Tonnes (JORC) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Measured | Indicated | Inferred | Total |
| Wintinna | 187 | 650 | 450 | 1,287 |
Source: “Statement of Coal Resources Wintinna (EL3361) 31 July 2008”. McElroy Bryan Geological Services, Sydney, NSW, July 2008
Wintinna raw coal quality is typical of the sub-bituminous, low rank (high in situ moisture) coal from the Arckaringa Basin, South Australia. The following table is a summary of the typical raw coal quality data detailed in the McElroy Bryan report. The parameters are in line with the ‘in situ’ quality reported in the PIRSA table above.
Wintinna Typical Raw Coal Quality
| Quality Parameter | As Received |
|---|---|
| Total Moisture | 36.6% |
| Raw Ash | 8.2% |
| Volatile Matter | 23.6% |
| Total Sulphur | 1.119% |
| Chlorine | 0.03% |
| Specific Energy | 17.1 (MJ/Kg)% |
| Relative Density | 1.25% (g/cc) |
Source: A&B Mylec – “Wintinna Resource Coal Quality Review”
Further definition of coal quality, particularly in relation to specifications for coal feedstock to supply the CTM plant, will result from the detailed testing and analysis which has been completed and will be verified during the BFS.
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