DIAMOND PAGE — SouthernEra analyzes Klipspringer blow — Marsfontein deal with Randgold

revised

A pipe-like enlargement, or blow, along the Sugarbird fissure, which forms part of the Klipspringer project in South Africa’s Northern Transvaal province, is estimated to contain 90,000 tonnes of kimberlite to a depth of 60 metres.

Property owner SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) reports that the blow is associated with the intersection of the fissure and an area of structural weakness. It measures roughly 55 by 45 metres on surface.

The tonnage calculation was based on surface mapping and the results of more than 25 core, reverse-Circulation (RC) and large-diameter percussion drill holes.

To date, 146 carats have been recovered from 174 tonnes of kimberlite taken from surface pits and drill holes. Several stones larger than 3 carats have been recovered, while the average stone size is 0.22 carat. The stones are mostly colorless and lack inclusions.

SouthernEra has recovered 48.73 carats of diamonds from 107.1 tonnes of kimberlite dug in surface pits. From drilling to a depth of 100 metres, 97.33 carats were found in 67.2 tonnes of material, mostly in the range of 5 to 30 metres. The overall grade from pits and drilling was 0.84 carat per tonne.

Meanwhile, SouthernEra has revised a joint-venture agreement for the Marsfontein farm, also part of its Klipspringer property.

Under its previous agreement with South African-based Randgold, SouthernEra could earn a 50% interest in the property by funding exploration through to the prefeasibility stage. Now SouthernEra can earn a 65% stake by funding and completing all work through to a bankable feasibility study. Upon completion of the study, Randgold can elect either to contribute its 35% pro rata share or dilute it.

The Marsfontein, which comprises 1,763 ha, lies 12 km east of the Leopard fissure, where an underground bulk-sampling program is in progress. Soil sampling at Marsfontein has outlined a 1,700-by-1,700-Metre area containing abundant kimberlite indicator minerals. Within this area are at least seven distinct anomaly centres.

RC drilling on four of the anomalies has uncovered two kimberlite pipes (one of which measures 40 by 150 metres; the other, 100 by 30 metres), as well as at least two kimberlite dykes.

Holes as deep as 100 metres have bottomed in kimberlite in both pipes.

Processing of the fine fraction of a small number of samples has resulted in the recovery of 0.5-To-2-Mm diamonds from both pipes and from one of the dykes.

Initial bulk sampling is ongoing, with 170 tonnes having so far been collected from the larger pipe. This material will be processed in SouthernEra’s pan plant.

Sampling of the second pipe will follow, in conjunction with additional RC drilling.

The Klipspringer project is near the town of Potgietersrus.