THE DIAMOND PAGE — Bulk samples reveal diamonds in Arkansas park

Arkansas is finding that one of its parks is living up to its name.

Bulk samples from Crater of Diamonds State Park have turned up several diamonds from three trenches recently completed in an effort to evaluate the geology and grade of the diamond-bearing reserve there.

A bulk sample of 1,973 tonnes was taken from the trenches, which are in the northeastern portion of a lamprophyre pipe found within the park’s boundaries.

The state’s Department of Parks and Tourism found 37 stones weighing 8.13 carats in trench 7, including five stones weighing 0.5-1 carat and one diamond weighing 1-2 carats.

In trench 11, seven stones were found, weighing 1.63 carats. Among these was one diamond weighing 0.5-1 carat.

Trench 12 relinquished 27 stones weighing 7 carats, including five weighing 0.5-1 carat.

Trenching continues on other portions of the lamprophyre pipe. Eleven trenches remain untested.

The parks department is receiving technical support from Ashton Mining of Canada (ACA-T), which holds an option to earn a 51% interest in the project following a successful bid for mining rights.