The coal resources of the Arckaringa Basin were extensively explored in the 1980’s and several feasibility studies were subsequently completed for the Wintinna deposit as a fuel source for potential offsite base load power stations and industrial projects.  Approximately 24,000 metres of drilling in 105 boreholes at 93 sites has produced a large database on the quality and quality of Wintinna coal

In May 2007, Altona commenced a proposed 27 borehole drilling program. The drilling program is part of a feasibility study currently underway for the development of an integrated Coal Mine, Coal-to-Liquids and Power Cogeneration Plant to be located at Wintinna.

The initial objective of the drilling program is to validate and upgrade the previously defined coal resource according to the current Australian code for reporting coal resources and reserves. Another primary objective is the extraction of a representative bulk sample of approximately 5 tonnes for Coal to Liquids process testing.

Geotechnical and hydrogeological programs will also be undertaken to supplement the already comprehensive data available. Altona has appointed Resource and Environmental Management Pty Limited in Adelaide, one of Australia's leading groundwater modelling and planning consultants, to conduct these programs in conjunction with its specialist geotechnical engineering partner, Snowden.

The exploration program has been designed to allow for the definition of at least 700 million tonnes of coal to be classified as Measured or Indicated under the JORC Code for reporting resources. The program focuses on an optimum area within the Wintinna deposit for extraction by open cut mining methods.