DIAMOND PAGE — Alberta kimberlites shown to be barren

So far, no diamonds have been recovered from the remaining six kimberlites discovered by Kennecott Canada Exploration last fall on the Legend property in northeastern Alberta.

The initial results are from caustic fusion analysis of check samples representing approximately 10% of the core recovered from each pipe. The samples, ranging in weight from 9 to 47 kg, were processed by Lakefield Research to provide a preliminary look at their diamond content.

Kennecott’s own caustic fusion laboratory in Thunder Bay has been closed since mid-December 1998 to allow for expansion. The upgraded lab is not expected to be operational until the end of February. Prior to the shutdown, Kennecott had treated 80 kg of core from the Roc kimberlite and 30 kg of kimberlite material from Dragon, but no diamonds were recovered.

In late 1998, Kennecott discovered seven kimberlite bodies on the Legend property while conducting initial drilling of geophysical anomalies. Phoenix was the first kimberlite found, and yielded a previously reported 5 microdiamonds from 380 kg of drill core.

The Rio Tinto (RTP-N) subsidiary can earn a 60% interest in the property by spending $30 million on exploration over seven years, leaving Montello Resources (MEO-A) with a 28% interest and partner Redwood Resources (RDW-A) with 12%.

Recently, during a program of ground geophysics, Kennecott defined 18 high-priority drill targets, some of which are non-magnetic. Exploration drilling is ongoing and to be completed by mid-March.

In related news, Monopros has begun drilling four targets on ground optioned from Troymin Resources (TYR-A) in the Buffalo Hills region of Alberta. Three of the targets occur on the Bison claim block; the fourth is on the Muskwa block.

Monopros, a wholly owned subsidiary of De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBRS-Q), can earn from Troymin up to a 60% interest in five property blocks totalling 1 million acres.