January 28, 2009 Reported that it has completed a National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report. Highlights of the report include:
· 86 million tonnes of Proven Reserves of metallurgical coal in two deposits, Belcourt North and Belcourt South.
· 167 million tonnes of Measured (including 2 million tonnes thermal) and 4 million tonnes of Indicated Resources among the two deposits
· Potential production of 4 million tonnes per year of saleable clean coal
· 15 years of production from defined reserves on the property
January 6, 2009 Announced that it is planning to reduce operations at the Brule mine
December 31, 2008 Western had higher waste stripping resulting in a higher strip ratio compared to plan. This was a result of the unexpected faulting in the South Blind Pit at the Brule Mine during the first quarter of fiscal 2009. In order to address this issue, Western Canadian modified its mining plan and concentrated on stripping in the unfaulted central and north areas of the Blind Pit and in Brule South to obtain coal release
During the quarter ended Sep30//08, the mine had higher waste stripping and a higher strip ratio compared to plan. This was a result of the unexpected faulting in the South Blind Pit at the Brule Mine during the first quarter 2009. In order to address this issue, Western Canadian Coal modified its mining plan and concentrated on stripping in the unfaulted central and north areas of the Blind Pit and in Brule South to obtain coal release.
