Sable Mining Africa Ltd reported a wider loss for the six months ended September, primarily due to continued uncertainty in coal markets.

Including impairment charge of USD 21.1 million on coal assets in Zimbabwe and South Africa, the pre tax loss of the company stood at USD 24.7 million, compared with a loss USD 9.9 million a year earlier.

Total loss for the period was USD 23.96 million wider than USD 9.88 million, or 0.8 cents per share loss a year earlier.

Commenting on the development of Nimba, the company said that "Our focus remains firmly set on the Nimba Iron Ore Project in south-east Guinea ('Nimba' or 'the Project'). With a current JORC Resource of 178.4Mt @ 59% iron the Project has already been demonstrated to be one of the largest undeveloped high grade Direct Shipping Ore projects located near to existing infrastructure, underpinning our confidence that we are advancing an asset with considerable commercial value."

The company claimed that the Nimba Iron ore project benefits from high grade ore and positive metallurgy, significant tonnages and minimal strip ratios, an almost-completed rail infrastructure, and the support of government authorities.