Diamond gems — A collection of unconfirmed reports

. . . Two rigs are turning near Lac de Gras as the Dia Met/BHP joint venture tests its fifth target and Monopros drills northeast of the discovery. . . .

Cheaper than drilling and faster than geochemical surveys, scuba-diving is the latest exploration method to hit the barrens. Targeting deep lakes, which are thought to have been formed by the preferential erosion of kimberlite pipes during glaciation, divers are plunging to the bottom of the frigid waters in search of diatremes. . . .

A consortium of companies, including Kennecott and CRA of Australia, has tripled the known surface area of the Crater of Diamonds lamproite pipe in Arkansas through a recently completed drilling program. The economic potential of the 73-acre pipe, a former producer, will be the subject of a report to be submitted to the state shortly. . . .

University of Cape Town’s John Gurney, or “Mr. Diamond,” will give presentations in both Toronto and Vancouver at the end of October.