Aquila Resources’ subsidiary Washpool Coal has completed the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Washpool hard coking coal project in Bowen Basin, Australia.

The DFS proposed an open-cut operation mining with 7Mtpa of coal to produce 2.6Mtpa of high rank hard coking coal over a mine life of 16 years.

According to the DFS, the capital expenditure of the project is estimated at A$335m (US$354m) with operating costs of about A$125 (US$132) per tonne.

The coal produced from the project will be exported through the Wiggins Island coal export terminal in Gladstone.

Washpool and seven other coal producers have reached a commercial agreement with QR Network to proceed with the construction of stage one of the Wiggins Island rail project.