Diamond Fields hits massive sulphides at Eastern Deeps area

The Eastern Deeps of Voisey Bay may be less accessible than the near-surface ovoid zone, but the mineralization now appears to be equally rich.

Diamond Fields Resources (TSE) has passed the 200 mark in its diamond drill program, but the latest few holes rank with the best.

Hole VB95202 hit a layer of massive sulphides 39.9 metres thick in the Eastern Deeps, the mineralized zone discovered in October 1,300 metres east-southeast of the main ovoid zone.

Another hole, VB95201, has intersected 24.1 metres of massive sulphides in two zones and is still drilling in that material.

Five stepout holes, spaced at 100-metre intervals, have now been completed, or are in progress, near the Eastern Deeps discovery hole (VB95194). Three of the offset holes have encountered the massive sulphide sequence surrounded by strongly disseminated and semi-massive sulphides within the previously announced Eastern Deeps basal zone of concentrated mineralization. The remaining two holes have not yet reached the targeted mineralized zone.

Dr. Anthony Naldrett, geological consultant to Diamond Fields, calls the latest intercepts “enormously exciting,” adding that they “open entirely new horizons as to the magnitude of the ultimate ore reserves at Voisey Bay.” Although assay results for the latest holes are not yet available, visual comparison of the core with core from Diamond Fields’ original massive sulphide ovoid and from the Eastern Deeps’ discovery hole has led company officials to expect similar metal grades.

Diamond Fields president Cliff Carson believes the Eastern Deeps deposit was part of the ovoid zone until faulting separated the two.

“This is incredible. The theory was that the ovoid was just part of a much larger structure, and we’re just finding that structure now. What we’re hoping to find is a full lens [like the ovoid] deeper underground.” To those who would consider it futile that Diamond Fields would search for other deposits as rich as the ovoid zone, Carson responds: “Inco found the Victor deposit, their highest-grade deposit, 100 years after starting. It might be there, but it takes time to find. Our exploration team is convinced they can do so.”

Diamond Fields has eight drill rigs in Labrador — four in the Eastern Deeps; one in the Kiglapait Mountains, north of Nain (where drilling has been hampered of late by inclement weather); and three on the main ovoid zone for metallurgical information gathering.