Perth based coal explorer Firstone Energy has increased the coal tonnage at the Waterberg Coal Region JV with Sekoko Coal Resources to 4 billion tonnes of embedded coal under JORC code.

The released said the venture encompasses 5 farms in the Waterberg Coal Region of South Africa for 1.33 billion tonnes of de-shaled coal. This is based on 178 drill holes of which 122 were drilled by partner Sekoko Resources. Approximately 46% of this coal resource is in the measured and indicated category.

Mr John Wallington MD of Firstone Energy said that "Firestone has 8 farms covering some 80 square kilometers of area in one of the most undeveloped and exciting coal regions in the world. Along with the possible exploration targets, there is the potential to grow our coal resource base over time with further drilling."

The company said that it is expected with further infill exploration drilling that these targets will develop into a JORC compliant resource over time. Of interest, 99% of the drill holes to date have intersected coal sequences under all the farms.