Saskatchewan kimberlite yields large stone

Vancouver — Preliminary results from a minibulk sample collected from the 140-141 kimberlite on the Fort a la Corne property in Saskatchewan has yielded a 10.23 carat diamond.

The diamond is a dodecahedral aggregate stone with two dimensions measuring 14-by-15 mm. The value of the stone remains undetermined, as is the potential impact on grade forecasts and average values for the kimberlite.The operator of the project, Anglo American‘s (AAUK-Q) diamond unit, De Beers Canada Exploration, discovered the stone while completing the final diamond recovery from a sample collected last year.

A total of 1,271.9 tonnes of kimberlite was sampled during that program and transported to a processing plant in Grande Prairie for concentration of heavy minerals (including diamonds) using dense media separation.The $5.2-million, 2-stage drill and mini-bulk sampling campaign was designed to improve the geological understanding, diamond distribution and diamond values within the 140/141 body, with the ultimate goal of determining a resource.

Minibulk samples were taken from the central part of the northwestern eruptive centre, as well as five other locations in the southeastern and central portions of the kimberlite body.

The heavy mineral concentrate was then sent to De Beers’s Group Exploration Macrodiamond Laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Final diamond recovery results including initial diamond stone counts and sieve parcel weights are anticipated by mid-year.

Located 65 kilometres east of Prince Albert , the Fort la Corne project is a joint venture among Kensington Resources (KRT-V), with 42.25%, De Beers, with 42.25%, and Cameco (CCO-T), with 15.5%. Cameco is carried for a 10% interest through its subsidiary, UEM Inc.