THE DIAMOND PAGE — Lytton reports bulk-sampling results from

Lytton Minerals (TSE) has released the long-awaited results of a “semi-bulk sample test” performed on its Ranch Lake kimberlite pipe in the Lac de Gras region of the Northwest Territories.

The 28.45-tonne sample yielded 112 stones totaling 5.384 carats. Malcolm McCallum, a diamond expert employed by the company, said the calculated grade of 18.92 carats per one hundred tonnes “is less than impressive.” But he noted that slightly more than 30% of the stones (by weight) are of apparent gem quality and that most are colorless. McCallum stressed that this gem designation must be applied with caution because of the small size of the parcel and stones.

“Although the low caratage recovery is discouraging, it does not rule out economic viability of the Ranch Lake pipe,” McCallum stated. “At this stage of testing, despite the small size of the parcel, the presence of a significant number of gem-quality stones is encouraging and consideration of a proper bulk test is warranted.”

Elsewhere in The Northwest Territories

* As previously reported, three juniors are planning to combine their respective interests in the Tli Kwi Cho (DO-27) kimberlite pipe on the WO claim block being bulk-tested by Kennecott Canada. Toronto-listed SouthernEra Resources plans to merge with Dentonia Resources (VSE) and Horseshoe Gold Mining (ASE) to create a new company.

The merger is expected to be carried out through a share exchange. The ratios will be determined through the course of negotiating the merger. SouthernEra President Christopher Jennings is expected to be named as president of the new company, which will hold a 33.3% interest in the WO block and a 48.3% stake in each of the WI and DHK blocks.

Elsewhere in Canada

* VSE-listed joint-venture partners Winslow Gold and Northwind Ventures have staked a further 10,000 hectares in the Candle Lake-Narrow Hills Provincial Park area of central Saskatchewan.

The first claim block consists of 3,800 hectares and is 6.5 km south of the Narrow Hills Park boundary. The second block comprises 6,400 hectares and is 30 km west of properties previously joint-ventured to Ashton Mining. * Spider Resources (ASE) has discovered an apparent diatreme facies kimberlite body in the Notre-Dame-du-Nord area of northern Quebec. This “new kimberlite” was recognized as a distinct anomaly in an aeromagnetic survey completed over the southern portion of the joint-venture area at the beginning of 1993. In early 1994, ground magnetic work further delineated the anomaly and subsequent drilling intersected it at 18 metres below surface on the first hole and 36 metres in the second hole.

Several kimberlite indicator minerals have been identified, including: pyrope garnet, olivine, chrome, diopside, phlogopite and picro-ilmenite.