Aston Resources Ltd (ASX:AZT) says it has upgraded the coal quality of its Maules Creek coal resource and completed its definitive feasibility study for the project.
The company says the study has confirmed its large scale metallurgical open cut mine has a project life of 30 years.
The coal drilling and testing programme has confirmed the material upgrade of the quality of the resource.
Aston says its revised production guidance is to produce 84 per cent semi-soft metallurgical coal over the first 20 years of production.
Aston expects this increased production to improve its overall margins, underpinned by tight supply and demand for the coal price.
In the first six months of its 2011 financial year Aston Resources posted a net profit of $62.9 million.
