derm, page-11

Hi Bunya

I have taken a plunge on the stock purely because I feel DERM under QLD govnuts will err on the side of investment. All or next to nothing tomorrow. However your mention of Wingen Maid caught my attention and I can add to your description.

I grew up in Scone, NSW just down the road from Wingen. Been to Burning Mountain a few times. A collection of sorry trees, broken and subsided earth, and at the 'front' of the burning coal seam there is a strong sulfur odour emitted and hot gases vent out of the ground.

Amazing views down the Hunter Valley from there.

I suppose the point is that if a burning coal seam gets out of control it can last millenia. According to myth, Burning Mountain was ignited by a lightning strike. Coal seams further down the valley are extremely hard to extinguish and cause respiratory problems for people working between Muswellbrook and Singleton.

I hope the same doesn't happen to Cougar's operation but the Hunter Valley shows these two examples of natural and commercial coal deposits getting away.