DIAMOND PAGE — SouthernEra processes bulk sample

Toronto-based SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) has started processing bulk samples at its plant on the Klipspringer diamond property in South Africa.

The company has tested about 750 tonnes of overburden from the main fissure at a rate of 50 tonnes per day but intends to increase the processing rate to 100 tonnes per day. The company will begin testing primary kimberlite at the end of August.

The Klipspringer property, formerly known as SUF-1, covers a fissure kimberlite system in South Africa’s Northern Province. The current bulk-sampling program is the precursor to a final feasibility study scheduled for year-end.

Diamonds recovered to date have an average stone size of one-third of a carat, although SouthernEra has found several stones measuring more than two carats. A 5-carat stone was recently valued at US$3,750.

Meanwhile, exploration has extended the strike length of the property’s north fissure to 2.5 km. Sampling indicates the fissure is diamond-bearing and hosts the same rock type as the main fissure.