Drilling is under way on the Fort a la Corne diamond property 40 miles east of Prince Albert, Sask., report partners Uranerz Exploration and Development and Cameco (TSE).
The 1992 program will follow up results of two seasons of bulk sampling on 15 diamond-bearing kimberlites. Although most of the 160 macrodiamonds recovered appear to be of gem quality, “projected grades of less than 10 carats per 100 tonnes make the project uneconomic at this stage,” says Cameco in its 1991 annual report.
Although about 70 potential kimberlite bodies have been identified on the Fort a la Corne property, Uranerz, as operator, is focusing this year’s program on the known diamond-bearing pipes, said communications manager Roland Loewer. The expense of removing overburden — more than 100 metres thick in some areas — during potential exploitation in the future has narrowed their search to pipes more than 20 hectares in surface area, he added.
A separate drilling program is scheduled to get under way on a nearby property held by Rhonda Mining (ASE) and Claude Resources (TSE) at the end of September. Rhonda recently raised $700,000 through a private placement of 350,000 flow-through common shares to finance a 3-hole program on the 31,500-acre property at Sturgeon Lake, Sask. The funds will also be used to test the Woolgar copper property in the Northwest Territories, where Rhonda is earning a 50% interest from Noranda (TSE).
Meanwhile, Durga Resources (ASE) says it has acquired the Fox Lake property in the Lac de Gras area of the Northwest Territories.
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