De Beers finds new kimberlite
2005-05-03 17:49
Botswana - Exploration by De Beers in Botswana has discovered the AK8 kimberlite, bulk samples are being processed in South Africa.
AK8 is one of 30 known kimberlites being explored by De Beers as part of the Boteti Exploration Joint Venture between African Diamonds and De Beers.
Pipe AK8 is now estimated from ground geophysics at around 6 hectares in size.
Fifty-four stones weighing a total of 6.33 carats including one 2.26-carat stone, were recovered from the 98 tonnes extracted from four holes in the kimberlite using 12-inch drilling.
Two of the four holes were negative and two were positive for macrodiamonds.
The negative holes drilled into significant intersections of basalt and basalt breccia, despite the fact that their adjacent pilot holes intersected kimberlite.
Of the three positive holes, one sampled 154m of kimberlite, of which 80m was highly diluted (80%) by basalt breccia.
One hole which sampled some 151m of consistent kimberlite yielded 4.395 carats from 26.44 tonnes of sample.
Modeling of the results suggests that the average diamond grade for AK8 is approximately 7cpht, but that the complex internal geology and the presence of internal waste, suggests that parts of the pipe may be of higher grade.
A further drilling and sampling programme is planned. Pipe AK8 is located around 10 kms Northwest of Pipe AK6, previously reported on by the Boteti JV, where the pipe size is estimated at 9.5 hectares with a modeled grade of 25 carats per hundred tonnes at a modeled diamond value of $138 per carat.
An Advanced Exploration phase has commenced on AK6. Currently 10 core holes are being drilled to delineate the pipe at depth and to provide the necessary information on the internal geology.
John Teeling, Chairman of African Diamonds plc, said, "It is a real pleasure to be able to report further exploration success in Botswana."
"Not only have we discovered a new kimberlite, AK24 but the preliminary results from AK8 when combined with the first class results from AK6 show us an unheralded rate of success.
Over all three JV areas in Botswana, Orapa, Serowe and Shashe, the most modern airborne, ground, drilling, processing and computer modeling techniques are being deployed.
Mineral exploration is risky, diamond exploration is among the most risky of all.
Few diamond exploration ventures ever find a kimberlite pipe, almost none ever find a mine.
Our ground is good, our partner is the best possible and our prospects are exciting.