Trans Hex digs Barra Grande

Trenching is yielding small but gem-quality diamonds at the Barra Grande property in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state.

Earlier this year, Trans Hex International (THI-V) excavated 172 samples from Villa Barroso, one of three prospects thought to host a total of 100 million cubic metres of prospective gravels. Combined, the samples contain 16,800 cubic metres of intermediate and basal gravels, enough to support a preliminary estimate of diamond grades and values.

So far, the processing of 2,430 cubic metres has yielded 28 stones weighing 14.9 carats, for an average grade of 0.61 carat per 100 cubic metres. The largest stone weighed 1.55 carats, with the average ringing in at 0.53 carat. The sample represents a 1-metre-thick unit (dubbed Level 5) of a prospective 7-metre-thick gravel horizon.

Although none of the stones is of commercial grade, Trans Hex is encouraged by the results. For instance, 784 cubic metres of basal gravels from an active artisanal mine site nearby yielded an average grade of 0.35 carat per 100 cubic metres and an average stone size of 0.34 carat.

Trans Hex notes that favourable geological characteristics will allow for the delineation of discreet zones within the horizon. Samples from others levels at Villa Barroso will be processed before another prospect is trenched in the summer. All samples are being processed in a 15 tonne-per-hour, run-of-mine plant.

Trans Hex earned a half-interest in Barra Grande earlier this year, after spending a required US$2 million. The company’s interest has since risen to 60%, owing to partner Verena Minerals‘ (YVM-V) failure to secure its share of funding.

However, Verena has the right to recover the 10% within 90 days of receiving a bankable feasibility study from Trans Hex. Should this right be exercised, the company must repay its pro rata share of funding, plus, as a penalty, half of that amount.