A large-volume drill sample from the Renard 3 kimberlite pipe in north-central Quebec has returned a high diamond grade and a number of large diamonds.
Operator Ashton Mining of Canada (ACA-T) tested a 105-tonne sample of drill cuttings from Renard 3, representing a sample weight of 146 tonnes. The sample came from six vertical reverse-circulation holes drilled in the 0.3-hectare kimberlite, to depths that averaged 175 metres; the calculated 146-tonne sample weight is the volume of the drill holes multiplied by the density of the rock, to account for losses of fine material in drilling.
The sample returned 184 carats of diamonds, giving a grade of 0.126 carat per tonne (126 carat per hundred tonnes).
Ten diamonds weighed 1 ct or more, including a 4.3-carat octahedron, a 2.3-carat octahedron, and a 2.7-carat near-cubic grain. Octahedra and other equant crystal habits are highly desirable shapes, because of their smaller cutting loss. All three large diamonds were clear and colourless.
Quebec Crown corporation Soquem is Ashton’s equal partner in the Renard joint venture.
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