Spitfire Resources Limited has announced that it has expanded its prospective thermal coal exploration portfolio in Tasmania with the acquisition of an option over a new exploration license application at Elderslie, in southern Tasmania.

Spitfire Resources said in a statement that it has acquired the option from Allambie Construction & Equipment Company, complementing its nearby Langloh, Avoca and Ouse Projects, which were acquired as part of a portfolio secured through the recent purchase of Black Rock Energy Limited. Spitfire recently completed stage 1 of the Black Rock acquisition after securing grant of the exploration licenses for the flagship Langloh and Avoca projects.

The release added that “Spitfire is continuing to assess the optimum strategy for advancing its Tasmanian coal portfolio and is currently in discussion with a number of potential strategic joint venture partners. It will make a decision on the scope of its exploration commitment next year subject to other exploration priorities at its South Woodie manganese project, discussions with strategic partners and the current financial and economic environment.”