The presence of sufficient coal at shallow depth for an open cut working on the Eastern margin of the Main Basin has now been established, and boring operations are being continued to prove additional reserves, as well as to delineate more accurately, for mining purposes, the probable limits of open-cut workings. A total of 64 bores have now been completed. The proved coal reserves as at the 31st December 1948, are tentatively estimated at £55,654 tons. Of this amount, 420,160 tons have been proved in the southern section, having there an overburden of 776,005 cubic yards. These estimates make no provision for better as both the shallow and deep working limits have not yet been accurately defined.