“Nicola tell us how you came to join Carbon Energy (CNX) and what you were doing prior”?
“Until February 2008 I was working for Rio Tinto Coal at the Tarong Mine near Kingaroy, in a senior role managing both near mine exploration and all aspects of mine geology. After meeting with Rusty Mark GM- Business Development here at CNX, I was excited about the concept of working in the developing coal gasification industry which dramatically reduces the usual mining footprint“.
“What were the first tasks you undertook when joining the company”?
“My initial task was to work with the project team on the Bloodwood Creek trial Underground Coal Gasification project. The Bloodwood Creek site is located between Dalby and Chinchilla and utilizes the Walloon Coal Measures within the Surat Basin at a depth of 200m. These coals are used for domestic power generation and are highly volatile, reactive and clean burning. These coals are extremely well suited for gasification.
Using regional and local geological data, a site was chosen for optimum UCG generation. The geology of the trial area was characterized through data capture of 2D seismic and downhole geophysical information. Geotechnical and coal quality data was collected from a cored hole drilled directly into the UCG panel zone. This hole was then used to house electronic devices to remotely collect data during the trial gasification process including water pressure, temperature, and micro-seismic activity.”
“What are you currently involved in?”
“I am current involved in the implementation of an extensive exploration program, to gauge the amount of additional coal resources throughout all our current coal exploration leases. This was commenced in October 2008 with results expected in March 2009.”
Previously, exploration by Carbon Energy had delineated a coal resource in the Bloodwood Creek area of 100MT. The current program seeks to upgrade this resource to measured (JORC) status and increase the inferred resource in both the Bloodwood Creek area and the Kogan area a few kilometers to the northwest and still part of the Surat Basin coal resource.”
“What are your thoughts for 2009?”
Having been in the mining industry since 1991, starting with Argyle Diamonds in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, I have seen the industry expand and contract in a cyclic manner. The industry has never been static, and I expect 2009 to be an interesting and stimulating time to be in the emerging UCG industry. During 2009-2010 I expect that both the Queensland and Australian governments will start to realize the potential for the UCG industry to increase resource generation and therefore substantially contribute to the Australian economy at a time when this is truly needed.”