DIAMOND PAGE — Kennecott, Aber prepare for bulk sampling

At the Diavik diamond project in the Lac de Gras region of the Northwest Territories, Kennecott Canada has processed the remaining six large-diameter drill holes from the A-418 kimberlite pipe in preparation for a 3,000-tonne underground bulk-sampling program.

Kennecott holds a 60% interest in the joint venture, with Aber Resources (ABZ-T) holding the other 40%.

In all, 61.8 tonnes of kimberlite material recovered from nine holes yielded diamonds ranging in weight between 0.025 and 3 carats for a total 248.4 carats, giving a grade of 4.02 carats per tonne. The largest gem-quality diamond recovered weighs 2.83 carats.

An initial evaluation of the diamonds is being carried out by RTZ-CRA of Perth, Western Australia.

The A-418 pipe lies just offshore, 700 metres southwest of the A-154 South pipe. With eight of the large-diameter drill holes bottoming in kimberlite and hole 7 having reached a depth 443.8 metres, Aber believes A-418 could contain 15-20 million tonnes to a depth of 650 metres.

A decline is currently being driven to A-418 at a planned depth of 145 metres beneath the lake. It has advanced 529 metres, and the joint venture expects to reach the pipe in August.

The final processing of 1,100 tonnes of bulk sample from the A-154 South pipe is being postponed until processing is completed on eight large-diameter holes from the A-154 North pipe and one hole from the A-21 pipe. Results are expected in three weeks.

To date, an overall grade of 4.67 carats per tonne has been reported from 1,905 tonnes of processed kimberlite from the A-154 South pipe. An initial 3,070-carat parcel recovered from the first 705 tonnes of bulk sample was valued at an average of US$58 per carat.