Resource Upgrade Hinges on Validation as Yari Advances Rolleston South Drilling Plans

New Data Boosts Resource Potential

Yari Minerals Limited has announced a significant update to its Rolleston South Coal Project in Queensland’s Bowen Basin following the integration of fresh geophysical data from three recently drilled coal seam gas wells; Rougemont 3, 5, and 6. These wells, accessed through a strategic data-sharing agreement, have revealed coal seams that are notably thicker than previously anticipated, particularly within the D seam horizon.

This discovery is encouraging for Yari, as it suggests the potential to increase the project’s existing 151 million tonnes (Mt) Inferred Resource. The new data aligns well with the current geological models but indicates that the coal seams may extend deeper and be more substantial than earlier estimates suggested.

Strategic Location and Infrastructure Advantage

The Rolleston South Coal Project benefits from its prime location in the Bowen Basin, a well-established coal mining region. It lies just 15 kilometres southeast of Glencore’s Rolleston Mine, one of the region’s major producers. This proximity could offer Yari a clearer path to market, leveraging existing infrastructure such as the Aurizon Blackwater Rail System, located about 40 kilometres away, and the Port of Gladstone, less than 300 kilometres distant.

Yari’s Managing Director, Anthony Italiano, expressed optimism about the findings, highlighting that the thicker coal seams could unlock incremental value for shareholders. The company is now focused on validating these interpretations through detailed geological modelling and plans to update its JORC resource estimate accordingly.

Next Steps and Regulatory Progress

Looking ahead, Yari is advancing regulatory approvals for its inaugural drilling campaign scheduled for the second half of 2025. This campaign aims to further delineate and upgrade the Inferred Resource, potentially converting some of it to the higher-confidence Indicated category. The company also plans to incorporate geotechnical and gas desorption testing to support preliminary mine planning and to initiate a coal utilisation study to assess the potential for semi-soft coking coal products.

While the new data is promising, it is important to note that no coal quality sampling was conducted on the new wells, and the final resource update remains subject to rigorous validation. Nonetheless, the integration of these wells into Yari’s geological model marks a critical step forward in the project’s development.

Broader Implications for Yari Minerals

This update reinforces Yari Minerals’ position in the Bowen Basin and highlights the value of collaborative data-sharing arrangements in advancing resource projects. The potential resource expansion could enhance the company’s asset base and attractiveness to investors, particularly given the project’s access to established export infrastructure and proximity to a major mining operation.

As Yari prepares for its upcoming drilling program and resource model update, the market will be watching closely to see how these developments translate into tangible growth and value creation.