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CLUFF NATURAL RESOURCES PLC
JORC ASSESSMENT IN THE WEST CUMBRIAN COALFIELD
(WORKINGTON AND MARYPORT LICENCES)
February 2015
Wardell Armstrong
Sir Henry Doulton House, Forge Lane, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5BD, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)845 111 7777 Facsimile: +44 (0)845 111 8888 www.wardell-armstrong.com
Wardell Armstrong is the trading name of Wardell Armstrong International Ltd,
Registered in England No. 3813172.
Registered office: Sir Henry Doulton House, Forge Lane, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5BD, United Kingdom
UK Offices: Stoke-on-Trent, Cardiff, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester, London, Newcastle upon Tyne,
Sheffield, Taunton, Truro, West Bromwich. International Offices: Almaty, Moscow
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES
LAND AND PROPERTY
MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING
MINERAL ESTATES
WASTE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
DATE ISSUED: 16 February 2015
JOB NUMBER: ZS611333
VERSION:
REPORT NUMBER:
STATUS:
V0.1
R001
Final
CLUFF NATURAL RESOURCES PLC
JORC ASSESSMENT IN THE WEST CUMBRIAN COALFIELD
(WORKINGTON AND MARYPORT LICENCES)
February 2015
PREPARED BY:
Liam Price Mining Engineer
Lisa Thompson
Senior Resource Geologist
Stephanie Higgs
Senior Resource Geologist
APPROVED BY:
Julian Spears Technical Director
(Competent Person)
This report has been prepared by Wardell Armstrong International with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, within the terms of the
Contract with the Client. The report is confidential to the Client and Wardell Armstrong International accepts no responsibility of
whatever nature to third parties to whom this report may be made known.
No part of this document may be reproduced without the prior written approval of Wardell Armstrong International.
Cluff Natural Resources PLC
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February 2015
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CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 1
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Purpose of Technical Report ...................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Terms of Reference .................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Independent Consultants........................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Sources of Data and Information ............................................................................................... 6
1.5 Accuracy of Reporting ................................................................................................................ 6
1.6 Compliance ................................................................................................................................ 6
1.7 Reliance on Other Experts ......................................................................................................... 7
2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION .............................................................................. 8
3 GEOLOGICAL SETTING .......................................................................................................... 9
3.1 General Geology ...................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Stratigraphy.............................................................................................................................. 10
3.3 Geological Structure ................................................................................................................ 14
3.4 Mining History .......................................................................................................................... 17
4 REPORTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JORC CODE (2012) ................................................. 20
4.1 Key Definitions ......................................................................................................................... 20
4.2 Australian Guidelines for Estimating and Classification of Coal Resources (2014) ................. 21
5 GEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 24
5.1 Geological Modelling Data ....................................................................................................... 24
5.2 Geological Assessment ............................................................................................................ 27
5.3 Reasonable Prospects/Modifying Factors ............................................................................... 29
5.4 Underground Coal Gassification Potential ............................................................................... 30
6 COAL QUALITY ................................................................................................................... 31
6.1 Data Available .......................................................................................................................... 31
6.2 Data Review ............................................................................................................................. 31
6.3 Coal Quality .............................................................................................................................. 32
6.4 Density ..................................................................................................................................... 32
7 EXPLORATION TARGET ESTIMATION ................................................................................... 35
7.1 Maryport Licence Area ............................................................................................................. 35
7.2 Workington Licence Area ......................................................................................................... 36
8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................... 38
8.1 Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 38
8.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 38
9 REFERENCE LIST ................................................................................................................. 40
10 GLOSSARY ......................................................................................................................... 41
TABLES
Table 1.1 Sources of Data ....................................................................................................................... 6
Table 6.1 Range of Coal Quality for Exploration Target ........................................................................ 34
Table 7.1 Maryport Exploration Target ................................................................................................. 36
Table 7.2 Workington Exploration Target ............................................................................................. 36
Table 7.3 Exploration Target ................................................................................................................. 37
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Table 8.1 Summary Range of Coal Quality over All Seams ................................................................... 38
FIGURES
Figure 2.1 Maryport and Workington Licence Area ............................................................................... 8
Figure 3.1 Geology Map of the UK .......................................................................................................... 9
Figure 3.2 Generalised Stratigraphy of the Upper Carboniferous within the Licence Areas................ 11
Figure 3.3 Simplified Onshore Geological Plan of the Workington and Maryport Areas ..................... 16
Figure 4.1 Relationship between Inventory Coal, Resources and Coal Reserves Classification ........... 22
Figure 5.1 Exploration Target Areas ...................................................................................................... 27
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Competent Persons Consent Form
Appendix 2 The JORC Code (2012) Table 1
Appendix 3 Coal Exploration Licences
Appendix 4 BGS Geolndex Reference List
Appendix 5 WAI Collar Database File
Appendix 6 Coal Authority Abandonment Mine Plans Reference List
Appendix 7 Seismic Lines Images
Appendix 8 BGS Archive Report ‘The Properties of the Seams of the Cumberland Coalfield’
DRAWINGS
ZS611333-001 Topographical Map and Sea Bed Levels
ZS611333-002 Stratigraphical Column
ZS611333-003 Geological Cross Sections and Geological Structure Plan
ZS611333-004 Six Quarters Seam - Exploration Target Areas
ZS611333-005 Little Main Seam - Exploration Target Areas
ZS611333-006 Main, Metal and Cannel Seams - Exploration Target Areas
ZS611333-007 Ten Quarters Seam - Exploration Target Areas
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Wardell Armstrong International (WAI) has undertaken a geological assessment of the Maryport and
Workington UCG/Coal Exploration Licence Areas located in the Cumbrian Coalfield in northwest
England. The licence areas have been subject to coal mining and exploration historically. This desk
study assessment was undertaken using the following information:
• BGS GeoIndex Borehole logs;
• Coal Authority Abandonment Mine Plans;
• BGS Archive Information (including National Coal Board Reports);
• BGS Technical papers;
• Geological Sheets, No. 22 Maryport and No. 28 Whitehaven;
• UK Onshore Geophysical Library.
The geology within the licence areas is interpreted to be highly complex, with numerous faults
throughout the coalfield. This faulting has resulted in WAI dividing the licence areas into two distinct
modelling areas (Area A and B) for the purpose of reporting as illustrated below in Figure A. Area A is
bounded by two large faults; namely the Maryport Fault in the north and the Western Boundary Fault
to the west and contains reliable datasets, hence a geological block model was created using Maptek™
Vulcan software. From this Vulcan model tonnages were ultimately derived using an assumed density
of 1.33 t/m3 (air dried). The remaining licence area, denoted as Area B (in Figure A), where no reliable
datasets are available, no geological model has been created. Therefore within Area B, WAI
extrapolated the potential area with a seam thickness greater than 0.6m using seam data from Area
A and calculated a tonnage using the average seam thickness assessed from the Area A’s geological
model and the same assumed density.
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Background Image Source: Derived from Ordnance survey map 1:250,000
Figure A Maryport and Workington Licence Areas
WAI reviewed all available data points (boreholes, coal quality information and Abandonment Mine
Plans (AMPs)) across the licence areas to determine Points of Observation (PoO) status. A PoO is
where the coal intersection is unambiguous and representative of the coal seam. Factors which affect
the PoO status are core recovery, the presence of verified data, reliable geophysical data, and
reasonable records etc. As a consequence of the licence area’s complex geology, WAI found
insufficient quantity and quality PoO’s within the data sets reviewed and have therefore concluded
that the only publically reportable coal tonnage is an Exploration Target, as defined by the JORC Code
(2012). An Exploration Target refers to coal assessments in which there is insufficient exploration to
estimate a Mineral Resource and are conceptual in nature.
This Exploration Target estimate is reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012), for both the
Maryport and Workington licence areas for the purposed of underground mining. The Exploration
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Target is reported over two areas (Area A and Area B) within the key seams of the Ten Quarters, Main,
Little Main, and Six Quarters Seams as per Table A below:
Table A Exploration Target
Key Seams
AREA A* AREA B**
Maryport Workington Maryport Workington
Mt Mt Mt Mt
Ten Quarters 17 13 46 19
Main Seam
Main - 21 - 60
Crow 15 - - -
Metal 28 - 69 -
Cannel 21 - 42 -
Little Main 12 36 12 42
Six Quarters 18 51 39 79
Maximum*** (Mt) 232 408
Minimum*** (Mt) 139 245
Tonnages are on a net in-situ basis (excluding partings and using an air dried density) and rounded to nearest
million.
*The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the net coal volume taken from Maptek Vulcan Software and estimated
air dried coal density of 1.33t/m3.
**The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the area by the average net seam thickness (excluding partings) within
Area A and an estimated air dried density of 1.33t/m3.
*** The coal range is determined by taking the total tonnage from Vulcan as the maximum, whilst the minimum
tonnage is this maximum with a 40% geological loss factor taken into account.
The UCG potential for the Maryport and Workington licences has been reviewed and is likely to be
restricted, due to coal seam thicknesses and depth parameters, to Area B and in the following seams:
• Six Quarters;
• Main (in the Workington licence);
• Metal (In the Maryport licence);
• Cannel (in the Maryport licence).
It is likely that a UCG Exploration Target would be of a significantly lower tonnage than that reported
for underground mining purposes due to the UCG constraints namely, depth from surface, thickness
(assumed to be 1.5m minimum) as well as fault and boundary buffers.
The coal quality ranges are summarised in the Table B below. These figures are derived from data
from the 7 no. key seams Ten Quarters, Main Seam (including Crow, Metal, and Cannel), Little Main
and Six Quarters and is for guidance purposes only. It should be noted that not all seams have been
tested for coking properties, and therefore further sampling and testing will be required.
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Table B Summary Range of Coal Quality over the Key Seams
Quality Parameter (Air Dried) Minimum Maximum
Moisture (M) % 1.8 3.2
Ash % 3.6 30.8
Calorific Value MJ/kg 31.28 32.94
Volatile Matter (less M) % 26.7 35.7
Total Sulphur % 0.6 8.0
Phosphorous % 0.006 0.047
BS Swelling Index - 4 8
NB: Coal quality data is derived from BGS archive report (Appendix 8) on net in-situ coal (excluding
all partings).
WAI recommends that further exploration is undertaken within the licence areas. Such exploration
may have the potential to improve the classification to a Mineral Resource (i.e. improve the
confidence in the data). Any drilling programme should include core drilling, geophysical logging, coal
sampling and analysis, which should include coal quality testing (Moisture, Volatile Matter, Ash, CV
etc.) and coking properties testing (Gray-King type, Free Swelling Index, Roga Index test, Fischer assay,
Gieseler plastometer, Audiber-Aruu dilatomerer, Plastic layer Tests and Vitrinite Fluorescence etc).
Several seismic lines are located within Area B, however they have not been interpreted in this
assessment as no associated borehole verification is known to be available. WAI believe seismic lines
in the area could be used for future resource assessments, if further investigation is undertaken. Any
additional seismic analysis at this stage would not prove seam thickness and quality within the vicinity
of the seismic lines, and but could however provide guidance on structure. Further exploration should
include at least one borehole drilled in close proximity to an existing seismic line to allow for continuity
to be determined and ‘check shot’ surveys of the surrounding strata.
It is important to note that environmental, geotechnical and hydrogeological assessment have not
been undertaken and will be required to progress the project further.
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of Technical Report
Wardell Armstrong International (WAI) was commissioned by Cluff Natural Resources PLC (hereafter
referred to as ‘Cluff Resources’ or ‘the Client’) following submission of a proposal dated October 2014
entitled ‘Proposal for a JORC Assessment of the Workington and Maryport Licences, West Cumbria,
UK’, reference ZS611333 P001.
For the purpose of this assessment the Workington and Maryport Licences have been considered as
one area referred to as ‘the licence area’ or the ‘area of interest’. The area of interest has a combined
area of approximately 182.5 km2 located within the Solway Firth. There are no currently operating
mines in the area, but historically a number of coal mines and associated drilling activities have been
undertaken within the area of interest.
1.2 Terms of Reference
Cluff Resources requested that WAI prepare a Coal Resource Statement for the area of interest, in
accordance with the Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves 2012 (the JORC Code (2012) and under the general guidance of the Australian Guidelines for
Estimating and Classification of Coal Resources (2014) with Julian Spears, Technical Director, at WAI
as the nominated Competent Person (CP).
The CP acting for, and on behalf of, WAI has been involved throughout the project and has reviewed
the validation and verification exercises on all scientific and technical information presented. These
verification and validation procedures are detailed in the relevant sections of this report. The CP has
also completed The JORC Code (2012) Competent Persons Consent Form (Appendix 1) and The JORC
Code Table 1 has also been completed (Appendix 2).
1.3 Independent Consultants
WAI has provided the mineral industry with specialised geological, mining, and processing expertise
since 1987, initially as an independent company, but from 1999 as part of the Wardell Armstrong
Group. WAI’s experience is worldwide and has been developed in the coal and metalliferous mining
sector. WAI’s parent company is a mining engineering/environmental consultancy that services the
industrial minerals sector from ten regional offices in the UK and International offices in Almaty,
Kazakhstan, and Moscow, Russia. Total worldwide staff complement is now in excess of 400. WAI, its
directors, employees and associates neither has nor holds:
• any rights to subscribe for shares in the Client either now or in the future;
• any vested interests in any concessions held by the Client;
• any rights to subscribe to any interests in any of the concessions held by the Client either now
or in the future;
• any vested interests in any concessions held by the Client or any adjacent concessions; or
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• any rights to subscribe to any interests or concessions adjacent to those held by the Client,
either now or in the future.
WAI’s only financial interest is the right to charge professional fees at normal commercial rates, plus
normal overhead costs, for work carried out in connection with the investigations reported here.
Payment of professional fees is not dependent either on project success or project financing.
1.4 Sources of Data and Information
The information used in this report is based on personal inspections, requested and presented data,
and information, as presented in Table 1.1 below.
Table 1.1 Sources of Data
Source Format Date Author/Source
Abandonment Mine Plans Scanned JPEGS Various The Coal Authority
BGS Archive Information Scanned JPEGS Various British Geological Survey
BGS GeoIndex Boreholes Scanned JPEGS Various British Geological Survey
Geological Sheets Scanned JPEGS 2004 British Geological Survey
UK Onshore Geophysical Library JPEGS Various UK Geophysical
BGS Technical Paper WA/88/3 Book 1988 British Geological Survey
1.5 Accuracy of Reporting
Technical analysis undertaken and presented by WAI will in most cases require subsequent calculation
to derive sub-totals, totals and averages. Such calculations inherently involve a degree of rounding
and consequently may introduce a margin of error. Where this occurs and is presented, WAI does not
consider these errors to be material to the reporting.
It is important to note that all tonnages and seam thickness referred to in this report are on a net in-
situ basis (excluding all dirt partings and using an air dried density), and include any inherent ash. This
is due to a lack of coal quality information for the parting materials and deemed appropriate given
this is an Exploration Target which is conceptual in nature.
1.6 Compliance
Reporting of Coal Resources was undertaken in accordance with the following:
• Australian Code of Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resource and Ore Reserves.
Prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and the Minerals Council of Australia (The
JORC Code (2012));
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• Australian Guidelines for Estimating and Classification of Coal Resources (2014) Prepared by
the Coalfields Geology Council of New South Wales and the Queensland Mining Council
(Australian Guidelines 2014).
A glossary of selected technical terms used in this report is presented in Section 10.
1.7 Reliance on Other Experts
This technical report has been prepared by WAI on behalf of the Client. The information, conclusions,
opinions, and estimates contained herein are based on data and information made available or
purchased from the Coal Authority (CA) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) on behalf of the Client.
WAI has not undertaken any independent exploration work, drilled any boreholes or undertaken any
sampling and testing of coal samples from the licence area.
For the purpose of this report, WAI has relied on ownership information provided by the Client. WAI
has not researched property titles or mineral rights and expresses no opinion as to the ownership
status of the property. The description of the property, and ownership thereof, as set out in this
technical report, is provided for general information purposes only. Any use of this report by any third
party is at the party’s sole risk. There has been no additional contribution by other experts.
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2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
The Client holds two Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) Licences and their associated Coal
Exploration Licences (Appendix 3) in the West Cumbrian Coalfield, in northwest England, namely the
Maryport Licence and the Workington Licence (North Cumbria) illustrated in Figure 2.1. The location
and topography of the area is illustrated in Drawing No ZS611333-001 entitled ‘Topographical Map
and Sea Bed Levels’.
The Maryport UCG licence (CA11/UCG/0037/N) was issued on the 12 August 2014 and expires on 12
August 2039 and covers an area of 10,000ha (100.2 km2). The associated Coal Exploration Licence
CA11/EXP/0548/N was issued 12 August 2014 and expires on 12 August 2019.
The Workington UCG Licence (CA11/UCG/0033/N) also referred to as the North Cumbrian Licence,
was issued on the 8 August 2013 and expires on the 8 August 2038 and covers an area of 8,238ha
(82.3km2). The associated Coal Exploration Licence (CA11/EXP/0540/N) was issued on 8 August 2013
and expires on 8 August 2018.
Cluff Resources are in the process of varying the conditions for the two UCG licences to obtain the
rights to pursue the area as an underground coal mining prospect.
Background Image Source: Derived from Ordnance Survey 1:250,000 map
Figure 2.1 Maryport and Workington Licence Area
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3 GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The licence area is located within the West Cumbria Coalfield located in northwest England and
illustrated in Figure 3.1.
Source: www.thegeologytrusts.org Accessed 15/01/2015
Figure 3.1 Geology Map of the UK
The land adjacent to the licence area (i.e. the onshore area) has been defined by the British Geological
Survey (BGS) in the Technical Report WA/88/3 entitled ‘Geology of Workington and Maryport’
(Reference No.3) as follows (quoted in italics):
Approximate
location of licence
areas.
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3.1 General Geology
‘The district lies on the north-west flank of the Lower Palaeozoic inlier of the Lake District, and is
underlain by Carboniferous rocks which rest uncomfortably on the older strata (Moseley, 1978). In
Lower Carboniferous times the district was part of a shallow tropical sea in which limestones were
deposited, giving way to fluvial and deltaic swamps in the Upper Carboniferous. Sedimentation kept
pace with subsidence which was less over the Lake District to the SE than over the Solway area to NW,
hence Carboniferous strata all thicken north-westwards.
Following end-Carboniferous uplift, deformation and erosion, Permian and Triassic sediments were
deposited, but are now preserved within the district only north of Maryport. Of later episodes there is
no evidence until the Quaternary. A late-Devensian glaciation deposited a mantle of till, sand and
gravel, and in post-glacial times, alluvial and beach deposits were formed.’
3.2 Stratigraphy
The stratigraphy of interest in the licence area is the coal measures within the Carboniferous strata as
illustrated in Figure 3.2 below and shown in Drawing No. ZS611333-002 entitled ‘Stratigraphical
Column’.
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Source: British Geological Survey (BGS) Technical Report WA/88/3
Figure 3.2 Generalised Stratigraphy of the Upper Carboniferous within the Licence Areas
The BGS Technical Paper defines the stratigraphy as follows and includes descriptions of seams of
interest within the licence area:
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3.1.1 Carboniferous
‘Strata at outcrop range from very low Namurian (near base of the Hensingham Group) to high
Westphalian C (low in the Upper Coal Measures). The lithostratigraphical boundary between the Chief
Limestone Group and the Hensingham Group is retained at the top of the First Limestone, though the
base of the Namurian is a little below the base of that limestone.
The base of the Coal Measures is taken at the internationally accepted Subcrenatum Marine Band
which is only a few metres below the Harrington Four Foot Seam, previously taken as the base in this
district. Following Eastwood and others (1968) the Hensingham Group is redefined to include the
“Millstone Grit Series” of Eastwood (1930). Finally, the Whitehaven Sandstones ‘Series’ of Eastwood
(1930) is abandoned as being no more than secondarily reddened Coal Measures, and these are now
divided (as nationally) into Lower, Middle and Upper at the Vanderbeckei (Solway) and Cambriense (St
Helens) Marine Bands.’
3.1.2 Coal Measures
Figure 3.2 shows a generalised section of the Coal Measures with their stratigraphical divisions. The
base is taken at the base of the Subcrenatum Marine Band, and the section extends to 70m above the
Cambriense Marine Band. There is a steady increase in thickness in a north-westerly direction,
reflecting deposition in a basin which deepened in that direction.
In common with most other areas of English Coal Measures, the strata here were deposited on a fluvial
and deltaic plain with fresh water mires and rare marine incursions. A rhythmic or cyclic sequence is
developed with a pattern of fossiliferous mudstone overlain by unfossiliferous mudstones and
sandstones capped by seatearth with overlying coal. Cycles are often incomplete and vary laterally
with individual members splitting or dying out. The bulk of the strata are unfossiliferous mudstones,
silty mudstones and shaly sandstones. Sandstones range from fine-grained to pebbly and in many
areas have erosive bases cutting out earlier strata. The Six Quarters and Main Seams are thus worked
out over considerable areas.
3.1.3 Lower Coal Measures
‘The Subcrenatum Marine Band was proved in several bores in the Siddick-Gillhead area, with a fauna
which includes Hindeodella sp., Lingula mytilloides and Productus sp. In this area only a metre or so of
seatearth separates the marine band from the overlying Harrington Four Foot seam. Farther north, at
Risehow and Maryport both marine band and coal seam die out, their horizons and associated strata
passing into seatearths and ganisteroid sandstones.
The Six Quarters seam, except where washed out, varies rather irregularly between 0.4 and 1.2m in
thickness. In places at Risehow an extra leaf, about 0.45m thick, underlies the main leaf.
Strata between the Six Quarters and Lickbank seams are mostly sandstone, the sandstone locally
termed the Six Quarters Rock. In a belt in the east of the district, running from Flimby through Gillhead
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and Camerton and south to Wythemoor, the interval between the seams varies between 18 and 8m
with the lower part mostly sandstone. Offshore of Maryport and Risehow and at Workington the
interval is between 28 and 33m and the strata are almost wholly sandstone. In places the roof of the
Six Quarters seam carries mussels including Carbonicola cf. cristagalli and C. aff. Pseudorobusta.
The Lickbank Seam is present throughout the district. North of the River Derwent and in the south-
east the coal is generally thin, 0.1 to 0.7m thick; at Workington it is 0.7 to 1.5m thick, in places with a
lower leaf. There is a thin mussel band in the Lickbank roof at Seaton.
The Little Main Seam is usually between 0.4 and 0.7m thick, reaching 1.1m. The roof mudstones carry
a mussel band which includes Anthraconaia cf. williamsoni, Anthraccosia cf. regularis, carbonicola cf.
bipennis, C. cf. oslancis, C. venusta, ostracods and fish.
3.1.4 Middle Coal Measures
The Vanderbeckei (Solway) Marine Band, which marks the base of the Middle Coal Measures takes
its name from Solway Colliery at Workington where it was found in sinking the No 1 Downcast shaft.
The marine band occurs in a characteristic black, rather silty mudstone, with a fauna of foraminifera,
including Restocornuspira?, and Lingula mytillaides. Although the marine band has not been detected
north of Solway Colliery its position in the sequence has been inferred.
The Main Seam or the Main Band Seam was, as the name implies, the principal seam not only
throughout the district but throughout much of the Cumbrian Coalfield, and has been worked out over
large areas both underground and opencast. It is a composite seam consisting of two or more discrete
leaves which have received the separate names, in ascending order Cannel, Metal and Crow. South of
the River Derwent these individual leaves are separated by thin mudstone partings which are generally
less than 0.5m thick. In this area the seam, including partings, is up to 4.34m thick. North of the River
Derwent the partings become thicker, and in the Risehow area up to 12.2m of sandy shale and
sandstone separate the Cannel and Metal and around 2.4m of similar strata intervene between the
Metal and Crow. Clay ironstone nodules are locally abundant above the Metal and were formerly
worked at Clifton Colliery. The Main is characteristically overlain by a fine-grained pale grey or brown
sandstone, the Main Band Rock.
Smaller washout channels up to 100m wide and aligned approximately NNE-SSW were encountered in
the Main workings recorded from Risehow Colliery.
The Ten Quarters Seam, which was known as the Moorbanks in the Workington area, is one of the
most widely worked and better quality coals in the coalfield. It is typically a split seam with several
coal leaves separated by thin mudstone or fireclay partings. The aggregate thickness varies from 0.46
to 2.82m including partings. Sandstone forms the roof of the coal in parts of the Workington area and
forms most of the 20m or so of measures between the Ten Quarters and the overlying Slaty Seam.
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3.1.5 Upper Coal Measures
The St Helens Marine Band, which has been recognised only in two underground boreholes at St Helens
Colliery, is a black mudstone bed with Lingula. A marine band with only foraminifera, recorded in a
borehole at Risehow Colliery is at a similar stratigraphical level and may be equivalent to the St Helens
Marine Band. The faunal difference may indicate different depositional facies or preservation, or may
be a result of incomplete collecting. The St Helens Marine Band is tentatively correlated with the
Cambriense Marine Band which marks the base of the Upper Coal Measures.
3.1.6 Triassic
‘Triassic St Bees Sandstone crops out on the foreshore north of Maryport and at other local quarries,
where it was worked for building stone. These exposures show massive, laminated or cross-laminated
sandstone in beds up to 1m thick with minor interbedded silty or sandy laminated shale. The sandstone
is fine to medium-grained, quartzose and variably micaceous. These strata are typically brick red in
colour although they are locally reduced to greenish buff along bedding planes or over wider areas
near faults.
The only indication of the thickness of the Triassic strata is in the Bank End Borehole. Here St Bees
Sandstone, 86.26m thick overlies red shales (St Bees Shale). 79.71m thick with a 0.91m thick breccia
at the base, resting on Lower Coal Measures strata.’
3.1.7 Quaternary and Made Ground
Superficial Quaternary deposits (“Drift”) include sediments of glacial origin which cover most of the
district and post-glacial alluvium and raised beach deposits which are of limited extent.
Till (boulder clay) is the main glacial deposit, with sand and gravel interbedded with and overlying it.
Other Quaternary deposits of significance include silts, clays and sands up to 30m thick in buried valleys
or up to 12m thick associated with raised beaches.’
3.3 Geological Structure
3.3.1 Regional
The geological structure of the area is not well defined offshore, however the onshore geology is well
understood through historic underground and surface mining in addition to extensive exploration
programmes. The geological structure onshore is shown in Figure 3.3 (which is a partial section of the
West Cumbrian coast directly adjacent to the licence area, illustrating the complexity of faulting in the
region). The structural setting is defined in the BGS Technical Paper as follows:
‘The structure of the Carboniferous strata is dominated by a major set of sometimes sinuous faults
which have a NW-SE trend and throw down both to the north-east and south west. Swarms of Minor
faults, frequently encountered in underground workings, dominantly trend between N-S and NW-SE,
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although NE-SW trending cross faults trending cross-faults also occur locally. An unusual 100m wide,
N-S fault zone, encountered in workings in the Lickbank and Little Main Seams at Great Clifton, is
composed of an Echelon NW-SE Faults and suggests N-S Sinstral Shear on the Underlying structure.’
3.3.2 Licence Area
The licence area is structurally complex dominated by two large faults that are orientated
perpendicular to each other. WAI has reviewed the structure and sub divided the licence area based
on these faults into Area A and B (see Section 5.2). Area A (the area to the south of the Maryport Fault
and east of the Western Boundary Fault,) has greater geological confidence within the licence area.
The structure of Area B has not been defined due to limited reliable data. Both areas are illustrated
on Drawing No. ZS611333-03 entitled ‘Geological Cross Sections and Geological Structure Plan’.
In the centre of the Maryport licence area trending northeast-southwest, lies the Maryport Fault,
approximately 1km offshore the fault splits into two large faults (with over 100m of displacement
each) forcing the seams to the north to effectively ‘step’ down twice to the north. The Western
Boundary Fault which trends north-south cuts through the centre of both licence areas and shows a
displacement downthrown to the west, of between 70 and 160m. Knowledge of the geological
structure beyond these two major faults is very limited.
Within the bounds of the two major faults (shore-side) a further approximately 17no. large faults are
present, further smaller ones are likely to also be present. These faults are all normal faults and
generally trend northeast-southwest or northwest-southeast with displacements varying between
10m and 340m.
The average seam dip across the Area A is approximately 1 in 25, with the seams in some fault blocks
showing dips of less than 1 in 200, whilst in other locations the seams are shown to steepen to a
gradient of approximately greater than 1 in 10. The generalised dip direction across the entire licence
area is to the west, however a number of the fault blocks show significant changes in seam dip
direction indicating a very active period of tectonic uplift and disturbance subsequent to coal bed
deposition.
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Source: British Geological Survey (BGS) Technical Report WA/88/3
Figure 3.3 Simplified Onshore Geological Plan of the Workington and Maryport Areas
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3.4 Mining History
There has been long history of underground mining in the area which is described in detail within the
BGS Technical Paper, whilst most of this historical mining has been undertaken onshore, a number of
the onshore collieries have drifted into and subsequently mined offshore below the licence area,
particularly within the south of the licence areas. Text taken from the BGS Technical Papers is shown
below as a background to the extensive historical mining heritage of the local area:
‘A large percentage of the district has been undermined by workings in at least one coal seam. In some
areas, for example near St Helens Colliery, up to seven seams have been extracted.
The most important economic seams occur in the Lower and Middle Coal Measures but the presence
of many large faults results in a complex pattern of workings. Small areas north and east of
Workington are mapped as Upper Coal Measures which are predominantly sandstone. In the south
west near Harrington, the Hensingham Group crops out and includes the Udale Coal, which is some
0.36m thick but is thought not to have been worked. To the north of Maryport, the Coal Measures are
overlain by the St Bees Sandstone and no mining has taken place.
The most productive seams are those from the Harrington Four Foot to the Ten Quarters inclusive.
Historically the most important seam was the Main which was extensively extracted beneath
Workington. Hopes of major extensions of the coalfield, working this seam westwards beneath the
sea in the early 1800s were hindered by the discovery of further complex faulting. Many workings
were lost in 1837 when the sea broke into the workings of Main Seam in Moss Bay. The new sinking of
Solway Colliery in 1916 with levels and drivages farther west met with limited success because of
faulting and ventilation problems.
The earliest extant mine plans date from the beginning of the 18th century in the Main Seam, but earlier
workings and many in the 18th and 19th centuries are unrecorded. The complex structure and mining
methods then in use necessitated the sinking of numerous shafts to win the Main coal from small areas
and different fault blocks. In the Workington area, thick drift deposits overlying steeply dipping coals,
ensured that workings rapidly became deep. Early mining was by pillar and stall. Later, pillars were
sometimes robbed, especially when a pit was threatened with closure and mining limits became more
clearly defined.
Subsidence beneath Workington related to these early workings therefore should by now have taken
place. As all collieries have now closed in this district, dangers of future subsidence are slight and it is
likely to occur on a local scale. Modern mining by long wall working causes subsidence to take place
virtually contemporaneously with the extraction of the coal, and movement is generally considered to
have ceased a few years after working.
For safety reasons deep mining was restricted to below a depth of 150ft (46m). This cover limit
minimised the danger of workings intersecting water-bearing or unstable superficial deposits or
shallow old workings possibly contaminated by gas, silt, mud, peat or run-off of surface water. Records
of such old workings, bells pits etc were rarely made or preserved.
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Mine shafts are present throughout the district and are particularly numerous east of Workington and
near Seaton, where the complex structure and mining methods in use prior to the mid-19th century
necessitated sinking numerous shafts each winning coal from a relatively small area.
Sites of all known shafts and adits are shown on the geological maps, but others may also exist. The
positions of many old shafts are inadequately documented.’
3.4.1 Historical Collieries
The historically operated collieries located either within or in close proximity to the licence area, and
from which, most knowledge was gained and used during this assessment are as following:
3.4.1.1 Risehow Colliery
The Risehow Colliery is located in Flimby, 2km southwest of the town of Maryport. Risehow Colliery is
located in the north of Maryport licence area. The colliery historically worked the Lickbank, Little
Main, Three Quarters, Albrighton, Rattler Band, Ten Quarters, Main Band, Four Feet, Broughton Moor
Lickbank and Gypsy Seams between 1921 and 1967.
3.4.1.2 St Helen’s
The St Helen’s Colliery is located in Siddick, to the north of Workington and 6km south west of
Maryport. The colliery is located in the south of the Maryport licence area. The colliery historically
worked the Lickbank, Little Main, Main Band, Ten Quarters, Rattler Band, Ten Quarters, Three
Quarters, Metal Band, Cannel Band, Four Foot, Six Feet and White Metal Band Seams between 1880
and 1966.
3.4.1.3 Solway
The Solway Colliery is located in Moss Bay, approximately 1km southwest of Workington. Solway
Colliery lies within the Maryport licence area and historically worked the Main Band, Six Quarter, Slaty
Band and Ten Quarters seams between 1940 and 1972.
3.4.1.4 Workington
The Workington Colliery is located in Workington, approximately 9km north of Whitehaven. The
colliery is located inland from the coast line, in close proximity to the Workington licence. The
associated pits were the Buddle, Isabella, and Jane Pits. The colliery worked the Main Band and Yard
seams and dates back to 1837.
3.4.1.5 Harrington
The Harrington Colliery is located in Lowca which is approximately 3km north of Whitehaven. The
colliery is located to the south of the Workington licence area and historically worked the Four Foot,
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Little Main, Main Band, Six Quarters, Four Feet, Fifteen Inch, Micklam, Potash and Bannock seams
between 1914 and 1968.
3.4.1.6 William Pit
The William Pit is located approximately 1km southeast of Whitehaven and is located in the southern
end of the Workington licence area. The colliery worked the following seams; the Bannock Band, Main
Band, Six Quarters, Metal Band and Yard Band seams between 1914 and 1950.
3.4.1.7 Wellington Colliery
The Wellington Colliery is located 1km west of Whitehaven, and lies towards the southern end of the
Workington licence area. The colliery historically worked the Main and Bannock seams between 1882
and 1921.
WAI has not researched the production figures for these mines.
3.4.2 Exploration History
The licence area has been subject to historical exploratory drilling programmes predominantly from
offshore underground workings. These investigations were undertaken by the National Coal Board
(NCB) and private mines. Subsequently, borehole records are mainly held and accessible online
through the BGS.
There has been no verification drilling or sampling undertaken as part of this assessment.
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4 REPORTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JORC CODE (2012)
This assessment is reported in accordance with the JORC Code (Australasian Code for Reporting of
Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves) (2012) which is an internationally
recognised system for resource and reserve reporting. An assessment reported in accordance with the
JORC Code (2012) is undertaken and signed off by a Competent Person (CP) of proven experience and
professional standing. Depending on the geological complexity of the deposit, the CP can vary the
spacing’s of Points of Observations (PoOs) for various categories. The CP Consent Form has been
signed by Julian Spears (CP) and is appended in Appendix 1.
Important definitions quoted from the JORC Code are provided in this section as follows for the
Competent Person (CP), Exploration Target, Mineral Resource and Resource Classifications.
4.1 Key Definitions
4.1.1 Competent Person (CP)
‘A ‘Competent Person’ is a minerals industry professional who is a Member or Fellow of The
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, or of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, or of a
‘Recognised Professional Organisation’ (RPO), as included in a list available on the JORC Code (2012)
and ASX websites. These organisations have enforceable disciplinary processes including the powers
to suspend or expel a member.
A Competent Person must have a five years relevant experience in the style of mineralisation or type
of deposit under consideration and in the activity which that the person is undertaking.
If the Competent Person is preparing documentation on Exploration Results, the relevant experience
must be in exploration. If the Competent Person is estimating, or supervising the estimation of Mineral
Resources, the relevant experience must be in the estimation assessment and evaluation of Mineral
Resources. If the Competent Person is estimating, or supervising the estimation of Ore Reserves, the
relevant experience must be in the estimation, assessment, evaluation and economic extraction of Ore
Reserves.’
4.1.2 Mineral Resource (Coal Resource)
‘A ‘Mineral Resource’ is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on
the Earth’s crust in such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for
eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade (or quality), continuity and other
geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific
geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order
of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories.’
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4.1.2.1 Resource Classification
Resources can be classified as Inferred, Indicated and Measured depending on the geological
knowledge and confidence gained from supporting data and information (as per Figure 4.1).
4.1.3 Exploration Target
The definition of an Exploration Target from the JORC Code (2012) is as follows:
‘An Exploration Target is a statement or estimate of the exploration potential of a mineral deposit in a
defined geological setting where the statement or estimate, quoted as a range of tonnes and range of
grade(or quality), related to mineralisation for which there has been insufficient exploration to
estimate a Mineral Resource.’
The Exploration Target is of such low confidence and conceptual in nature, that it does not appear on
diagrams within the JORC Code (2012) or associated reference documents (Figure 4.1).
4.1.4 The JORC Code (2012) ‘Table 1 Checklist of Assessment and Reporting Criteria’
A requirement of the JORC Code 2012, which differs from the previous version from 2004, is that the
JORC Code Table 1 is now mandatory in all Mineral Resource Assessments to be reported in
accordance with the JORC Code (2012). ‘Table 1 is a checklist or reference for use by those preparing
Public Reports on Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’, Table 1 has been
completed. (Appendix 2).
4.2 Australian Guidelines for Estimating and Classification of Coal Resources (2014)
The JORC Code (2012) provides guidance for all mineral deposits, and for coal deposits there is an
appended document for the estimation and reporting of coal resources and reserves entitled
‘Australian Guidelines for Estimating and Classification of Coal Resources’ (Australian Guidelines 2014
referred to in Clause 42). These Australian Guidelines (2014) contain guidance on estimation of Coal
Resources. The relationship between Inventory Coal, Coal Resources and Coal Reserves is illustrated
in Figure 4.1.
4.2.1 Scope of the Australian Guidelines (2014)
The scope of the Australian Guidelines (2014) document is to:
• provide guidance reflecting good practice, which is recommended to be followed when
classifying and estimating Coal Resources;
• provide guidance for the determination of reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction;
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• include a variety of assessment tools that can be used for the estimation and classification of
Coal Resources, to replace the application of suggested maximum distances between Points
of Observation that were included for guidance in previous version 2003 Edition;
• provide a definition of Inventory Coal for the purposes of Government and non-public
reporting.
Source: Australian Guidelines for Estimating and Reporting Coal Resources and Coal Reserves (2014).
Figure 4.1 Relationship between Inventory Coal, Resources and Coal Reserves Classification
4.2.2 Key Definitions
4.2.2.1 Points of Observation
‘Points of Observation are sections of coal-bearing strata, at known locations, which provide
information about the coal by observation, measurement and/or testing. They allow the presence of
coal to be unambiguously determined.
Points of Observation have varying degrees of reliability and can include surface or underground
exposures, borecores, calibrated downhole geophysical logs and representative drill cuttings in non-
cored boreholes. Points of Observation may be classed by Quantity or Coal Quality. Each class should
be clearly tabulated and presented in plans on a seam by seam basis.
Resource confidence outlines should be determined by the merging of Quantity confidence limits
(tonnes) with Coal Quality confidence limits. The final confidence limits should be the more constrained
of the two. Deposits without Coal Quality data cannot qualify as a Resource as there is no data to
establish the relative value required for the reasonable prospects test.
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In most coal deposits the density of Quantity Points of Observation is greater than the density of Coal
Quality Points of Observation. As a result, Coal Quality Points of Observation are generally viewed as
the principal delimiter of Resource categories. There are however deposits in which the quantity
variability is greater than the quality variability. This would include highly faulted or structurally
complex deposits. In these cases Resource confidence and outlines may be delimited by the Quantity
Points of Observation.’
4.2.2.2 Coal Quality Points of Observation
‘A Point of Observation for coal quality evaluation is normally obtained by testing samples obtained
from surface or underground exposures, or from bore core samples having an acceptable level of core
and sample recovery to be considered representative.’
4.2.2.3 Quantity Points of Observation
‘A Point of Observation for quantity evaluation is normally obtained by measurements of surface or
underground exposures and bore intersections. The seam thickness and location must be
unambiguous. Seams covered by downhole geophysical logs in non-cored boreholes can provide
Quantity Points of Observation.’
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5 GEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
5.1 Geological Modelling Data
5.1.1 Topographical Information
WAI used information available from the ‘Open Source’ Ordnance Survey data sets, along with Google
Earth, to create a topographical Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The onshore topography was taken from
the Open Source 10m contour tiles for the Cumbria area, whilst the offshore sea bed level was created
by digitising georeferenced east-west cross sections (15no.) across the licence area. The development
of the cross-sections allowed the modelling software to triangulate between these cross sections
forming a sea bed triangulation.
The two models, both onshore and offshore were combined in AutoCAD and re-imported into the
modelling software to create a DTM of the entire licence area.
Drawing No ZS611333-001 entitled ‘Topographical Map and Sea Bed Levels’ shows the onshore
topography and sea bed elevation within the licence area.
5.1.2 Borehole Review
WAI created a database using the available borehole logs sourced from the BGS GeoIndex (Reference
2); an online catalogue of boreholes located throughout the UK. The borehole logs vary in
quality/format from typed to handwritten and were obtained as scanned images.
The WAI database comprises the GeoIndex boreholes which contain depth, thickness, and geological
information. A full list of boreholes available within the licence area and around its perimeter was
reviewed by WAI and is presented in Appendix 4.
All of the available boreholes were reviewed, but in some instances were not used, either because
they were illegible, the seams were un-coded or the boreholes did not contain relevant data.
It should be noted that there are currently 10no. boreholes within the immediate vicinity of the two
licence areas that are denoted as ‘confidential boreholes’ (these boreholes are denoted as confidential
in Appendix 4). Borehole NX92NE94 located at Solway Colliery is the only ‘confidential’ borehole which
lies inside the licence boundary. Due to confidentiality WAI have not received the written log of the
borehole and only has access to the graphical interpretation. The borehole contains coal quality
information for seven seams including the Little Main and Six Quarters Seams. Borehole NX92NE94
was considered when reviewing the coal quality in terms of resources but has not been modelled in
terms of coal thickness. The inclusion of the borehole into the geological model for thickness would
not be material to the project at this Exploration Target stage. If deemed appropriate, at a later date
the availability of this borehole could be explored further with the BGS.
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5.1.2.1 Database
WAI created a borehole database from the above data. Boreholes which could not be correlated were
removed. The database comprises of the following files:
• Collar Files (provided in Appendix 5);
• Survey Files;
o It is noted that boreholes are assumed vertical unless otherwise noted;
• Geological File.
The borehole logs were digitally created from the scanned images and cross checked internally by
WAI, as reported in Appendix 4.
5.1.3 Abandonment Mine Plans
WAI visited the Coal Authority (CA) and reviewed the available Abandonment Mine Plans (AMPs)
(excluding 69 no. plans previously purchased by the Client) and purchased on behalf of the Client 35
no. plans which were relevant for this assessment. The AMPs for the following seams were reviewed:
• Ten Quarters Seam;
• Main Seam;
• Crow Seam;
• Metal Seam;
• Cannel Seam;
• Little Main Seam;
• Lickbank Seam;
• Six Quarters Seam.
The AMPs were provided in JPEG format scans of original plans (a list of the available plans is given in
Appendix 6). WAI geo-referenced and digitised the historical working outlines, thickness points,
elevation points and elevation contours that were available and 3D Polygons were created and
imported into Maptek™ Vulcan© Version 9.1 (Vulcan) for modelling purposes. These were verified by
visual inspection of the resulting 3D polygons.
The Lickbank Seam was reviewed at this stage due to its close proximity to the Six Quarters seam,
however, due to its limited seam thickness and its inconsistency across the licence areas, no
Exploration Target has been determined.
5.1.4 Geological Information
Onshore geological fault locations in the licence areas were digitised from the 1:50,000 BGS Geological
Sheets dated 2004, namely:
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• No 22 Maryport;
• No 28 Whitehaven.
Further fault locations were taken from the offshore AMPs and their associated structure plans.
The combination of the onshore faults taken from BGS plans and the offshore faults from the AMPs
were used to allow an initial geological structure model to be created where the onshore faults were
extended to meet the location of offshore faults. Following the initial modelling and the input of the
digitised historical workings, a final geological structure plan was created taking the different forms of
information into account. This structure plan is illustrated on Drawing No ZS611333-003 entitled
‘Geological Cross Sections and Geological Structure Plan’.
5.1.4.1 Seismic Lines
There are several seismic lines which are located to the west of the licence areas and illustrated on
the Six Quarters Seam Plan; Drawing No ZS611333–004 entitled ‘Six Quarters Seam – Exploration
Target’. These seismic profiles were downloaded from the UK onshore Geophysical Library (Reference
5) and are attached in Appendix 7.
The seismic lines denoted on the above mentioned drawing are as follows:
• LNX85-23, LNX85-25A, LNX85-27, LNX85-29A and SW81-727 cross the projected Maryport
Fault, however the presence of the fault is not clear from the images available;
• LNX85-13, LNX85-20 and SW81-726 cross the projected Western Boundary Fault however,
the presence of the fault is not clear.
The seismic profiles appear to show faulting and areas of potential structural continuity beyond the
Maryport and Western Boundary Faults. However, the seismic profile vertical scale is in two way
travel time (m.sec) and not depth (m). WAI at this stage, are unaware of any check shot surveys being
undertaken to accurately estimate the travel time (seismic velocity) to the individual coal seam
horizons for any of the lines within the area. These check shot surveys would enable the seismic
profiles to be converted to depth. As a result it is difficult to interpret the structure, presence and
continuity of any coal seams. It may be possible to estimate the horizon of the coal measures based
on strong reflectors within the seismic profile and published seismic velocities. WAI at this stage
consider that additional analysis of the seismic lines is not of significant benefit, as there would be
additional cost without necessarily increasing confidence in the resources. Any additional seismic
analysis at this stage would not prove seam thickness or coal quality within the vicinity of the seismic
lines, however could provide guidance on structure.
WAI notes that although seismic exploration is an accepted means for coal exploration worldwide,
results are often subjective and are based heavily on interpretation between boreholes. Seismic
exploration within heavily faulted and structurally disturbed areas can be unreliable, as in this location,
which can increase the likelihood of misinterpretation of the coal seam structure.
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5.2 Geological Assessment
During the evaluation and modelling of the geological data, the more reliable data sets were located
to the south of the Maryport Fault and to the east of the Western Boundary Fault. This area was
reviewed separately and is denoted as Area A as illustrated in Figure 5.1. The area beyond these faults
is denoted Area B.
Background Image Source: Derived from Ordnance Survey 1:250,000 map.
Figure 5.1 Exploration Target Areas
5.2.1 Area A
The geological modelling for Area A was undertaken using three dimensional interpretations and
modelling methods using specialist coal modelling software Maptek™ Vulcan (Vulcan). WAI utilised
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the geological data described above to produce a Vulcan model and a range of tonnages for Area A
for both the Maryport Licence Area (reported in Table 7.1) and Workington Licence Area (reported in
Table 7.2).
The initial geological modelling was undertaken using all 28no. seams present in the licence areas.
The faults positions were initially taken from a combination of extrapolated British Geological Survey
Plans, AMPs and structure plans taken from BGS coal reports on the area. These fault positions were
verified by creating an initial geological model without taking fault planes into account. Within the
model, variations in contours over short distances generally indicate a fault in the coal seam, this was
be compared to the conjectured fault positions to clarify the structural model. A total of 20no. faults
were the modelled which split the licence area into 22no. domains, 3no. of which are located in Area
B, and as such have not been modelled, leaving the remaining 19no. domains, all of which were
modelled and interpreted separately.
WAI reviewed the initial geological model and as the coal seam thicknesses do not appear to
substantially vary across the faults, the modelling techniques deployed for each domain block
remained the same.
The seams were modelled in Vulcan’s stratigraphical modelling module using Inverse Distance
Weighting with a maximum search radius of 1,500m to produce seam surfaces and thicknesses. A
number of different data sources were combined to allow a more comprehensive data suite for
modelling purposes. The following were combined prior to the stratigraphical modelling:
• Borehole Database, including seam codes;
• AMPs Floor Points: the floor of the abandoned mine workings was digitised and entered into
Vulcan. This produced a ‘grid’ of known points to cover the worked areas and increased the
number of ‘known’ seam floor points;
• AMPs Thickness Points: a number of the AMP’s contained thickness points of the individual
seams. To allow these to be used as ‘known’ roof points, the thickness and location were
recorded and the location in 2D was then registered onto the floor of the abandoned
workings, followed by the addition of the thickness, giving a roof point. Thickness points could
only be utilised in this way if a corresponding elevation value of the seam floor was known.
The Inverse Distance Weighting technique also used the surface stacking technique present in Vulcan
which allows the user to select a key seam (Six Quarters), or seam with a greater number of data points
to be modelled prior to the other seams, therefore allowing other seams with limited data points to
model against a seam trend i.e. replicate the key seams geological structure to all seams in the model.
The coal thickness and elevation model was then input into the HARP (Horizon Adaptive Rectangular
Prism – Vulcans grid based block modelling specifically designed for stratigraphic deposits) modelling
process, where a Vulcan block model was produced to allow the production of coal volumes. The
volumes were later multiplied by an average density of 1.33t/m³ to obtain a net in-situ coal tonnage
(excluding all partings and using an air dried density).
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5.2.2 Area B
WAI reviewed the information throughout the remaining licence area (Area B), as shown on Figure
5.1.
The coal measures to the north of the Maryport Fault are potentially displaced by approximately 130
to 270m, however there is limited reliable data north of this fault. The information available comprises
of a small area of Gypsy Seam workings and three boreholes with a partial succession. The Gypsy
Seams alternative name is the Senhouse Seam, and could potentially be up to 1.2m thick.
The coal measures to the west of the Western Boundary Fault (within Area B) are potentially displaced
by approximately 70m to 120m, again, there is limited reliable data west of this fault, currently
comprising only a small worked area of Cleator Moor Seam is annotated on an AMP, however, the
actual seam reference is not proven, and no borehole information exists. The Cleator Moor Seam may
be an alternative name to the Ten Quarters or the Slaty Seam, however WAI have been unable to
confirm either are the case.
WAI therefore, has reviewed the geological model for Area A with respect to the thickness contours
and assessed their potential extent into Area B but have not extrapolated further than 3km from
predicted fault locations. Although the structure and thickness is not proven in Area B. WAI are of the
opinion that coal measure strata is likely to be present beyond the faults, and Area B is likely to be
highly faulted, similar to Area A, as illustrated in the structure plan Drawing No ZS611333-003 entitled
‘Geological Cross Sections and Geological Structure Plan’.
The coal tonnage in Area B has been estimated by multiplying the potential areas of greater than 0.6m
thickness extrapolated form Area A by the average seam thickness in the modelled Area A for both
licence areas (reported in Table 7.1 and Table 7.2) and multiplied by a density of 1.33t/m3.
5.3 Reasonable Prospects/Modifying Factors
WAI has applied the following basic parameters to this assessment to ensure that there is potential
for eventual extraction of coal by underground methods in the future:
• the depth of coal seams to be considered is greater than 60m below seabed;
o This is based on British Coal Technical Instruction TI/19 for room and pillar mining, a
larger stand-off would be required for longwall mining.
• a distance of 45m in any plane from AMPs;
o This is based on current ‘Mining Legislation’.
• the seam thickness is greater than 0.6 m;
o This is deemed to be the minimum workable thickness based on current technology.
The areas of coal which meet the basic parameters are illustrated in the following Drawing Nos:
• ZS611333-004 entitled ‘Six Quarter Seam – Exploration Target Areas’;
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• ZS611333-005 entitled ‘Little Main Seam – Exploration Target Areas’;
• ZS611333-006 entitled ‘Main, Metal and Cannel Seams – Exploration Target Areas’;
• ZS611333-007 entitled ‘Ten Quarters Seam - Exploration Target Areas’.
There have been no coal quality cut-offs applied to this assessment and no modifying factors or
potential recovery rates have been applied to this assessment. It should be noted that the tonnages
are net in-situ basis (excluding all dirt partings and using an air dried density) and further assessment
of gross seam thicknesses and partings within seams is required for further resource assessments.
5.4 Underground Coal Gasification Potential
WAI has also reviewed the UCG potential of the licence areas. This review was based on the following
parameters defined by the Client:
• the depth of coal seams between 500m and 1500m below the seabed;
• the coal seam thickness of greater than 1.5m;
• 100m buffer either side of marked faults;
• a 250m internal buffer zone created inside the licence boundary within which no development
would take place.
The geological modelling of Area A illustrated that the majority of the seams are at a shallower depth
than 500m, except for isolated areas of the Six Quarters Seam (the deepest of the key seams). This is
shown on Drawing No ZS611333-003 entitled ‘Geological Cross Sections and Geological Structure Plan’
hence Area A would not comply with the depth criteria. However the West Boundary Fault as shown
in the aforementioned drawing has downthrown the coal bearing strata to the west of this fault (i.e.
Area B) and therefore indicates that the key seams could potentially be at greater depth and meet the
above criteria (this remains unverified due to a lack of data).
In terms of coal seam thickness only the Six Quarters and the Main Seam (splitting into the Metal and
Cannel in the north) has significant areas within Area A of a consistent seam thickness of greater than
1.5m thickness.
Therefore UCG potential is likely to be restricted to the Six Quarters, Main, Metal and Cannel Seams
within Area B; assuming seam thickness remaining consistent either side of the Western Boundary
Fault. Any potential Exploration Target estimation is likely to be of considerable less tonnage than that
of the reported for purposes of underground mining due to the parameters required for UCG.
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6 COAL QUALITY
6.1 Data Available
WAI visited the BGS archives in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire to review the coal quality information and
retrieve sampling records. This included information from the following collieries:
• Risehow;
• St Helens;
• Solway;
• Harrington.
The colliery information included engineering reports (pre-1980), containing sampling information
from face and pillar samples as well as boreholes. The quality, format, and content of the data
obtained, varied throughout the documentation, mirroring changes over the varying exploration and
mining methods in the region over time.
WAI also sourced a National Coal Board (NCB) report entitled ‘The Properties of the Seams of the
Cumberland Coalfield’ dated in the 1950s which summarised the area. This report is included as
Appendix 8.
6.2 Data Review
WAI has reviewed the individual coal quality reports and coal quality information available, to assess
the representativeness of the samples per seam as well as the spatial distribution of the samples, not
only throughout each seam, but also, and importantly, with respect to geological structure. These
data points are shown on each seam plan contained within this report.
6.2.1 Borehole samples
WAI found that across the licence areas, only limited boreholes had core recovery of greater than 90%.
This level of recovery (i.e. 90%) is deemed appropriate by the CP in this structural complex geological
setting for a sample to be considered as representative for coal quality purposes. Unfortunately, in
the majority of boreholes, where core recovery has been recorded, core recovery is at 50% or lower,
which is not deemed an appropriate level to be considered as a quality PoO.
6.2.2 Face/Pillar Samples
Underground face and pillar samples have been undertaken by individual collieries; where full
recovery of the seam is assumed. However the majority of samples have no recorded coordinates
(quite often the sample has been given in an arbitrary location within the colliery area) and given the
large expanse of the historical workings in the area, it is difficult to consider these a quality PoO.
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6.2.3 Verification
The reliability and sample representativeness of this historical data is difficult to verify without
additional drilling. Whilst it is reasonable to assume that the reported figures are derived from
samples obtained in a professional manner by the NCB, the relatively small number of samples with
respect to the size of the area, coupled with insufficient corroborative evidence, such as official
laboratory sheets, detailed sampling techniques, logging procedures and type of drilling, geophysical
logs and an acceptable level of core recovery (when documented) which makes the data difficult to
use. Accordingly, WAI has not block modelled the coal quality data. Coal quality has been reported
using the BGS archive NCB report to illustrate the coal quality ranges given in Table 6.1.
6.3 Coal Quality
The Calorific Value (CV) is given in the reports available in Btu/lb and these values have been converted
to MJ/Kg for this assessment. It is noted that the CV is high, greater than 30 MJ/kg in some samples.
This is generally accompanied by a low ash content, ranging between 3 and 9 %. However, it should
be noted that the quality is given on a coal basis (the dirt partings have been removed from sampling),
this can lead to positively skewed results, as dependent on parting thicknesses, run-of-mine coal
figures could reflect a poorer coal quality, unless selective mining and/or washing of the coal is
undertaken. Further testing is required of both the coal and it’s partings to assess a potential run-of-
mine production coal quality.
In the ranges provided in Table 6.1 the quality can be seen to have a high sulphur content with the
majority of seams showing sulphur content of greater than 1%. High sulphur content can potentially
be an issue in the use of coking coal and thermal coal products.
The volatile matter is greater than 30% in all seams (except the Cannel Seam), which can be an
important parameter for coking coals.
Free Swelling Index testing has been undertaken by NCB, with the range varying across the seams, as
reported in Table 6.1.
It should be noted that phosphorus has been an issue in the past according to the BGS archive report,
this should be considered in any further coal sampling and analysis.
However to confirm the quality of the coal and to understand it’s coking potential, additional testing
would be required to allow the report resources in accordance with the JORC Code (2012).
6.4 Density
Specific Gravity information is not provided within the above mentioned report covering the Cumbrian
Coalfield, as such a default value of 1.33 t/m3, has been deemed appropriate by the CP. This generic
figure was determined by British Coal, following a long period of research and analysis. This has also
been verified and deemed an appropriate figure by reviewing the limited coal quality sample
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information (taken from boreholes, face and pillar samples), which ranges from 1.28 to 1.4 t/m3 (range
is provided over several seams using seven samples irrespective of core recovery). The Specific Gravity
value used was ‘derived’ on an air dried basis and is deemed appropriate by the CP given this is an
Exploration Target which is conceptual in nature.
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Table 6.1 Range of Coal Quality for Exploration Target
Seam
Name
Proximate Analysis Total
Sulphur
(Air Dried)
(%)
Phosphorus
(Air Dried)
(%)
CV
(Air Dried)
(MJ/kg)
BS Swelling
No. Source Moisture
(%)
Volatile
Matter
(less moisture) (%)
Fixed Carbon
(%)
Ash
(%)
Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
Ten
Quarters 2.6 32.8 57.4 5.7 8.0 1.4 2.9 0.009 0.096 31.28 7.5
Four Samples: Risehow(2)
1935/1936, ST Helens 1938,
Solway 1947
Cannel
Band 1.8 2.5 26.7 35.7 40.0 54.2 7.8 30.8 2.0 5.6 0.009 0.018 31.56 -
Four Samples : Risehow 1943
- 1945, Bottom Band inferior
and rarely extracted
Metal
Band 2.7 34.6 57.6 5.1 1.6 0.004 32.12 8.0
Four Samples: Risehow (1) -
1938, ST Helens (3)
1948/1944
Main
Band 3.0 35.1 56.7 5.2 1.2 2.4 0.008 32.47 6.5 8.0
Seven Samples Haig, William,
Harrington and Walkmill
Little
Main 2.9 3.2 33.9 34.0 58.3 58.3 3.6 5.9 0.6 1.2 0.006 0.047 32.61 32.77 4
Ten Samples: Risehow(2),
Clifton (3), Whitehaven (3),
Lowca (2)
Six
Quarters 2.7 2.8 34.5 35.6 56.4 57.9 3.7 24.0 1.0 8.0 0.002 0.061 32.94 32.96
-
Five Samples at ST Helens,
Clifton, Solway, one samples
Solway Shaft. Twelve
samples: Lowca (4), Moresby
(4), Whitehaven (4). Six
Samples: Lowca (4), Moresby
(1)m Whitehaven (1) variable
in structure and quality
Assumptions
All dirt bands have been removed for the analysis, therefore, all results are presented for Net coal and on AIR DRIED basis.
All values given above are averages and where no range can be given the value is given as the maximum and minimum value.
Source: Summarised from National Coal Board Reserve Report sourced from BGS (Appendix 8).
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7 EXPLORATION TARGET ESTIMATION
WAI reviewed all the gathered data to assess the resource potential of the area. Although there may
be enough quantity PoO’s (i.e. thickness and elevation) within those areas in close proximity to
historical mine workings for Inferred Resources to be declared, the high degree of faulting and limited
reliable coal quality PoO’s within the same area, prevents any Mineral Resources being declared at
this time, hence an Exploration Target has been assessed. This decision is supported by the CP
comments in JORC Table 1 Sections 1 and 2 (Appendix 2).
WAI has estimated an Exploration Target tonnage of net in-situ basis (excluding all partings and using
an air dried density), in the following key coal seams:
• Ten Quarters;
• Main Seam;
o Crow;
o Metal;
o Cannel;
• Little Main;
• Six Quarters.
Whilst enough seam data was collected for the Lickbank Seam, the seam was deemed too thin to have
reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, hence no Exploration Target has been
estimated.
For these 7no. key seams (including 3no. seams in the Maryport Licence which are leaves of the Main
Seam) the possibility exists to report Mineral Resources eventually, and to be developed for
underground mining within the licence area.
WAI has applied a 40% geological loss factor to account for geological uncertainty such as washouts,
coal thinning, unknown faults, losses due to faults, unrecorded workings etc.
The ranges of coal tonnages presented in the Exploration Target Tables 7.1 to 7.3 is determined by
taking the total tonnage from the Vulcan model for Area A as the maximum, whilst the minimum
tonnage is this maximum tonnage with a 40% geological loss factor taken into account. Similarly for
Area B the total calculated volume is given as the maximum and the minimum has a geological loss
factor of 40%.
7.1 Maryport Licence Area
The Maryport Licence Area Exploration Target range has been estimated for both Area A and Area B
and is provided in Table 7.1 below.
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Table 7.1 Maryport Exploration Target
Key Seams
AREA A AREA B
Tonnage per
Seam*
Average
Thickness
Tonnage per
Seam**
Average
Thickness
Mt m Mt m
Ten Quarters 17 0.81 46 0.81
Main
Seam
Crow 15 0.67 - -
Metal 28 1.51 69 1.51
Cannel 21 0.95 42 0.95
Little Main 12 0.71 12 0.71
Six Quarters 18 1.04 39 1.04
Maximum*** (Mt) 111 208
Minimum*** (Mt) 67 125
Tonnages are on a net in-situ basis (excluding partings and using an air dried density) and rounded to nearest
million.
*The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the net coal volume taken from Maptek Vulcan Software and estimated
air dried coal density of 1.33t/m3.
**The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the area by the average net seam thickness (excluding partings) within
Area A and an estimated air dried density of 1.33t/m3.
*** The coal range is determined by taking the total tonnage from Vulcan as the maximum, whilst the minimum
tonnage is this maximum with a 40% geological loss factor taken into account.
7.2 Workington Licence Area
The Workington Licence Area Exploration Target range has been is estimated for both Area A and Area
B and the range and is provided in Table 7.2 below.
Table 7.2 Workington Exploration Target
Key Seams
AREA A* AREA B**
Tonnage per
Seam
Average
Thickness
Tonnage per
Seam
Average
Thickness
Mt m Mt m
Ten Quarters 13 1.05 19 1.05
Main Seam 21 1.37 60 1.37
Little Main 36 0.96 42 0.96
Six Quarters 51 1.83 79 1.83
Maximum*** (Mt) 121 200
Minimum*** (Mt) 73 120
Tonnages are on a net in-situ basis (excluding partings and using an air dried density) and rounded to nearest
million.
*The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the net coal volume taken from Maptek Vulcan Software and estimated
air dried coal density of 1.33t/m3.
**The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the area by the average net seam thickness (excluding partings) within
Area A and an estimated air dried density of 1.33t/m3.
*** The coal range is determined by taking the total tonnage from Vulcan as the maximum, whilst the minimum
tonnage is this maximum with a 40% geological loss factor taken into account.
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7.2.1 Combined Licence Area
The Exploration Target for the combined licence area is given in Table 7.3 for both Area A and Area B
and is provided below.
Table 7.3 Exploration Target
Key Seams
AREA A* AREA B**
Maryport Workington Maryport Workington
Mt Mt Mt Mt
Ten Quarters 17 13 46 19
Main Seam
Main - 21 - 60
Crow 15 - - -
Metal 28 - 69 -
Cannel 21 - 42 -
Little Main 12 36 12 42
Six Quarters 18 51 39 79
Maximum*** (Mt) 232 408
Minimum*** (Mt) 139 245
Tonnages are on a net in-situ basis (excluding partings and using an air dried density) and rounded to nearest
million.
*The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the net coal volume taken from Maptek Vulcan Software and estimated
air dried coal density of 1.33t/m3.
**The coal tonnage is estimated by multiplying the area by the average net seam thickness (excluding partings) within
Area A and an estimated air dried density of 1.33t/m3.
*** The coal range is determined by taking the total tonnage from Vulcan as the maximum, whilst the minimum
tonnage is this maximum with a 40% geological loss factor taken into account.
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8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
8.1 Conclusions
This Exploration Target is of a net in-situ basis (excluding all dirt partings and using an air dried density),
reported in accordance with The JORC Code (2012), for the Maryport and Workington licence areas.
The Exploration Target is reported over two areas within the Ten Quarters, Main, Little Main and Six
Quarters, seams and is as follows:
• Area A – 139.0 Mt to 232.0 Mt;
• Area B – 245.0 Mt to 408.0 Mt.
The coal quality ranges are summarised in Table 8.1. This range is given over the key seams for
guidance purposes. It should be noted that not all seams appear to have coking properties and further
sampling and testing will be required.
Table 8.1 Summary Range of Coal Quality over All Seams
Quality Parameter (Air Dried) Minimum Maximum
Moisture (M) % 1.8 3.2
Ash % 3.6 30.8
Calorific Value MJ/kg 31.28 32.94
Volatile Matter (less M) % 26.7 35.7
Total Sulphur % 0.6 8.0
Phosphorus % 0.006 0.047
BS Swelling Index - 4 8
NB: Coal quality data is derived from BGS archive report (Appendix 8) on net in-situ coal (excluding all
partings).
The values summarised in Table 8.1 are given for guidance purposes only. Coal quality should be
evaluated on a seam by seam basis.
8.2 Recommendations
WAI recommends that further exploration is undertaken within the licence areas. This would have the
potential to improve the classification to a Mineral Resource (i.e. improve the confidence in the data).
Any drilling programme should include core drilling, geophysical logging, coal sampling and analysis,
which should include coal quality testing (Moisture, Volatile Matter, Ash, CV etc.) and coking
properties testing (e.g. Gray-King type, Free Swelling Index, Roga Index test, Fischer assay, Gieseler
plastometer, Audiber-Aruu dilatomerer, Plastic layer Tests and Vitrinite Fluorescence etc).
WAI advises that during the exploration design stage a combination of both exploratory boreholes and
seismic lines are considered in conjunction, as this may increase geological confidence regarding the
structure of the coal seam. It is also recommended that during any exploration phase of this project
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at least one borehole be drilled to acquire the travel time data which would allow the use of these
seismic lines as supportive data for a resource assessment.
Several seismic lines are located within Area B, however they have not been interpreted in this
assessment as no associated borehole verification is known to be available. WAI believe seismic lines
in the area could be used for future resource assessments, if further investigation is undertaken. Any
additional seismic analysis at this stage would not prove seam thickness and quality within the vicinity
of the seismic lines, and but could however provide guidance on structure. Further exploration should
include at least one borehole drilled in close proximity to an existing seismic line to allow for continuity
to be determined and ‘check shot’ surveys of the surrounding strata.
It is important to note that environmental, geotechnical and hydrogeological assessments have not
been undertaken and will be required to progress the project further. Considerations should also be
made in any further investigations regarding sequencing of potential workings to avoid, if possible,
any sterilisation of resources through subsidence interaction between seams.
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9 REFERENCE LIST
1. British Geological Survey (BGS). Geological Sheet 1:63,360/1:50,000 number 28 Whitehaven,
Workington and St Bees Head dated 1982.
2. Geoindex: http:/www.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/.
3. British Geological Survey (BGS), R P Barnes, B Young, D V Frost, and DH Land. Technical Report
WA/88/3, Onshore Geology Series 1988. Geology of Workington and Maryport.
4. Source: www.thegeologytrusts.org Accessed 15/01/2015.
5. Source: UK Geological Library, http://www.ukogl.org.uk/webmap/#?m=ukogl&e=
2411767,6505041,1501809,8156081&l=130640 Accessed 26/01/2015.
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10 GLOSSARY
A Air Dried Basis Coal quality reported on a moisture content that is partially dried to be in
equilibrium with the laboratory.
Ash The incombustible residue from mineral matter contained as either
contamination (rocks) or inherent within the coal. On combustion the mineral
matter is reduced to ash the refractory component of mineral matter. Some
minerals dissociate on heating to release carbon dioxide or moisture.
Ash Content The inert percentage of a laboratory sample of coal remaining after
incineration to a constant weight under standard conditions.
As Received Basis The data are expressed as percentages of the coal including the total moisture
content, i.e. including both the surface and the air-dried moisture content of
the coal.
As Received
Moisture
The total moisture of a coal sample when delivered to the laboratory.
B Borehole (Drillhole) A hole made with a drill, auger or other tool for exploring strata in search of
minerals.
C Calorific Value The heat value of coal per unit weight. This is normally reported in kilocalories
per kilogram (kcal/kg), kilojoules per kilogram (kJ/kg) or megajoules per
kilogram (MJ/kg).
Carboniferous The geological time interval between 360 and 286 millions of years ago (Ma).
Strata of Carboniferous age provides the majority of the world’s coal
resources.
Coal A readily combustible rock containing more than 50% by weight and 70% by
volume of carbonaceous material, including inherent moisture. It is formed
from plant remains that have been compacted, indurated, chemically altered
and metamorphosed by heat and pressure during geological time.
Coking Coal A coal of specific quality and characteristics provided for the purpose of
manufacturing coke.
Core A cylindrical sample of rock obtained during core drilling.
D Dip The angle that a structural surface, i.e. a bedding or fault plane makes with
the horizontal measured perpendicular to the strike of the structure.
Development Excavation or tunnel required to access coal.
E Exploration Prospecting, sampling, mapping, drilling and other work involved in the
search for minerals.
Exploration Target An Exploration Target is a statement or estimate of the exploration potential
of a mineral deposit in a defined geological setting where the statement or
estimate, quoted as a range of tonned and range of grade (quality), related to
mineralisation for which there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a
Mineral Resource.
F Fault A discontinuity surface across which there has been shear displacement.
Fault Throw
(Displacement)
The amount of vertical displacement in an upward or downward direction
produced by a fault.
Face (coalface) The working area or end of a development heading or entry.
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G Geological Losses Losses to be deducted from calculated coal tonnage to account for geological
uncertainty, e.g. faults, washouts, seam thinning etc.
Geology The science dealing with the formation of the earth and mineral deposits.
Grade The classification or value of coal. The relative quality of coal as evaluated by
a series of tests.
Gross in-situ Coal This is the whole coal seam which includes dirt partings.
Gross Calorific
Value
The amount of heat liberated during the combustion of a coal in the
laboratory under standardised conditions at constant volume, so that all of
the water in the products remains in liquid form.
H -
I Igneous A rock that has solidified from molten rock material that was generated deep
within the earth.
J JORC Code The Australasian Code for Reporting Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves"
(2012) published by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee ("JORC") of the
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of
Geoscientists and the Minerals Council of Australia (the "JORC" Code).
K -
L Licence A licence to mine and/or explore for coal issued from the Coal Authority.
Longwall Method of coal mining in which an exposed section of coal is excavated by
means of a “shearer” or plow mounted on an armoured face conveyor, the
section being temporarily supported and which are advanced as the coal face
is excavated, with the ground behind the excavated face allowed to collapse.
M -
N Net in-situ tonnage In this report net in-situ tonnage refers to coal excluding all partings and
calculated using an air dried density.
Net Calorific Value During combustion in furnaces, the maximum achievable calorific value is the
net calorific value at constant pressure, and is calculated and expressed in
absolute joules, calories per gram, or Btu per pound.
O -
P Pillar An area of mineral left during mining to support overlying strata.
Q Quaternary The geological time interval between 1.8 and recent. The youngest part of
the Cenozoic Era.
R RAW Coal Coal on an as-mined basis, which may be sold directly or processed if
necessary.
Resources (JORC) That portion of a mineral deposit for which there is a reasonable prospect of
economic extraction; resources are divided into Measured, Indicated and
Inferred on the basis of reducing geological confidence/assurance.
Run-of-Mine (ROM) The grade and tonnage of material produced and transported to the mine
surface or shaft collar, including mined contaminants.
Roga Index A test carried out to determine the caking properties of coal and the
mechanical strength of the resultant coke.
S Shafts Vertical entries to a mine, used for the transport of personnel, materials and
mineral, and/or ventilation.
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Shearer A piece of machinery, a rotating armoured drum, for excavating coal from
longwall coal face.
Seam A layer or bed of coal or lignite. Correlated seams of coal are normally
assigned a name, letter or number. A single seam can contain one or more
non-coal partings resulting in a sub-division into leaves.
Seam splitting When a coal seam splits into two or more leaves or subsidiary seams.
Sedimentary Formed by the deposition of solid fragmental material that originates from
weathering of rocks and is transported from a source to a site of deposition.
Strata Layers of sedimentary rock.
Subsidence The reduction of elevation of the ground surface resulting from the removal
of mineral underground.
Sulphur May be a component of the organic and/or mineral fractions of a coal. Forms
sulphur dioxide during coal combustion, a serious pollutant. It is also
undesirable in coking coals because it contaminates the hot metal.
T Thermal Coal Coal that is sold for the purpose of steam raising in a thermal power station
Triassic The geological time interval between 245 and 208Ma. The oldest constituent
of the Mesozoic Era.
U -
V Volatile Matter That portion of the coal comprising both gases and liquids that is released
following heating it from 105˚C to 800˚C. The amount of volatile matter in a
coal is a function of the rank of the coal (thermal maturity) and of the coal
type.
W Westphalian Part of the Carboniferous, the geological time interval between 313 and 304
million years ago.
X -
Y -
Z -
Cluff Natural Resources PLC
JORC Assessment in the West Cumbrian Coalfield (Workington and Maryport Licences)
ZS611333/R001
Final V0.1 Page 44