The company stated in its filing to Australian Securities Exchange that it has planned to drill five holes using the in-seam method.
It has also scheduled the field mapping and ground magnetic processes during mid-2013, reported Business Spectator.
The move from the miner comes amidst its asset divesting spree including the sale of two Australian coal mines – Clermont and Blair Athol as a part of its cost-cutting program.
Meanwhile, the project is a joint venture with Australia Pacific Coal subsidary Area Coal, in which Rio Tinto’s exploration subsidiary made a payment of $2.3m as part of the terms of its exploration option and joint venture agreement.
In addition, Rio Tinto is mandated to fund and manage a minimum outlay of $700,000 in exploration gain a 75% working interest.
