Australian Pacific Coal Ltd (ASX:AQC) has completed the pre-feasibility study (PFS) for its Dartbrook Open-Cut Project.
Dartbrook is in the Upper Hunter Valley in New South Wales.
The project is connected to port facilities in Newcastle, 130 kilometres southeast via the Main Northern Railway and the New England Highway.
Australian Pacific moves swiftly to PFS
The open-cut PFS marks a major milestone for Australian Pacific since completion of the acquisition of Dartbrook on May 29, 2017.
Australia Pacific’s vision is to develop Dartbrook as a low impact, open cut, mining operation.
The open cut PFS considers two main options, an owner-operator case and a contract mining case.
Environmental impact study in 2019
Management highlighted the compelling financial investment metrics.
They indicate the significant inherent value of the Dartbrook project for shareholders.
On this basis, the company is actively engaged with a range of stakeholders as the project enters the next phase of assessment.
Until regulatory issues have been finalised, the owner-operator or contract mining options may remain undecided.
This includes completion of the environmental impact study for submission in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.