Yari’s Coal Ambitions Face Test as Drilling Campaign Looms in Bowen Basin

Transformational Acquisition in the Bowen Basin

Yari Minerals Limited (ASX – YAR) has announced a major milestone with the completion of its acquisition of the Rolleston South Coal Project, located in Queensland’s premier Bowen Basin. This acquisition marks a significant step for Yari, transforming its asset base with a 91% uplift in the JORC (2012) Inferred Resource to 151 million tonnes. The project’s location, just 20 kilometres south of Glencore’s Rolleston Mine and near key export infrastructure, underscores its strategic importance.

Resource Upgrade and Coal Quality Insights

The resource upgrade was driven by an expanded geological model incorporating new data, including coal seam gas well information and advanced interpretation techniques. Notably, the uplift was most pronounced within the EPC 2327 permit area. The coal quality analysis reveals promising characteristics for both high-energy thermal coal and semi-soft metallurgical coal, with calorific values ranging from 5,608 to 6,310 kcal/kg and low raw ash content, indicating clean coal with good washability. These attributes position Rolleston South as a versatile project capable of serving multiple coal markets.

Advancing Towards Development

Yari’s technical team is actively preparing for a maiden drilling campaign planned for the second half of 2025, aiming to upgrade resource confidence from Inferred to Indicated. The company is also designing test work programs to validate coal washability and explore the potential to separate thermal and metallurgical coal products. Early development concepts include a small-scale box-cut operation targeting shallower seams, with longer-term underground mining options under consideration.

Leadership and Corporate Developments

Reflecting its transition into a resource development phase, Yari has strengthened its board with the appointment of Eduardo Robaina as Chairman and Albert Thamm as Technical Director. Both bring extensive industry experience, enhancing Yari’s technical and strategic capabilities. The company also maintains a solid financial footing, reporting a cash balance of $1.456 million at quarter-end and no external debt, supporting ongoing exploration and development activities.

Exploration Beyond Coal

In parallel, Yari continues to explore its lithium projects in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, with recent geochemical testing and satellite imagery analysis identifying promising lithium-bearing targets. While results are pending, this diversification signals Yari’s broader ambitions in critical minerals.