Sampling of C12 kimberlite — yields macros and micros at Commonwealth

vancouver

Analysis of 257.5 kg of core from the C12 kimberlite pipe, situated on the Commonwealth claim block in the Lac de Gras region of the Northwest Territories, has yielded 30 macrodiamonds and 44 microdiamonds, for a total count of 1.2 macros per 10 kg.

The macros (defined as exceeding 0.5 mm in one dimension) included eight stones of more than 1 mm in size, two of more than 2 mm and three of more than 3 mm.

The Commonwealth claims constitute the southeastern portion of the Diavik project, which is held 60% by Diavik Diamond Mines, a Canadian subsidiary of Rio Tinto (RTP-N), and 40% by Aber Resources (ABZ-T). SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) holds a 10% carried interest in the Commonwealth claim group.

The C12 kimberlite is one of four kimberlite occurrences previously identified there. Others include the C42 and C49 pipes, plus the C13 zone, drill-testing of which failed to locate the main body of the pipe. The recovery of a 153.7-kg sample from the C13 zone returned 7 macros and 36 micros, for a count of 0.5 macro per 10 kg.

Further delineation drilling of the C12 pipe is being considered for autumn.

Overburden and till sampling on a portion of the Lac de Gras property that is held 60% by Rio Tinto and 40% by SouthernEra has revealed at least two indicator mineral trains with unusually high concentrations of garnets, chromites, ilmenites, chrome diopsides, orthopyroxenes and olivines.

Follow-up work is likely to occur next winter.