DIAMOND NEWS ROUNDUP — Bulk sample results in from Kahama

Results were released by Serengeti Diamonds (VSE) from a 300-tonne bulk-sampling program on the southern portion of the company’s mining claims at Kahama, Tanzania.

The Toronto-based junior is earning a 40% interest in more than 14.4 million hectares of diamond leases and exploration licences which have been granted or applied for in the Tanzanian craton.

A total of 1,189 stones weighing 306.02 carats (or 102 carats per 100 tonnes) was recovered from the 300-tonne sample. The largest stone recovered was 3.65 carats, with 22 stones weighing between 2 and 2.99 carats, 115 stones between 1 and 1.99 carats, and the remaining 1,051 stones weighing between 0.99 and 0.02 carats.

A 33.88-carat parcel was graded in London, with 63% of the stones being of gem quality, 31% non-gem quality and 6% board. The average size of the gem-quality stones was 0.5 carats.

Serengeti reports that the southern portion of the mining claims sampled contain an estimated geological reserve of 235,150 tonnes grading 100 carats per 100 tonnes. An additional 210,400 carats are reported to exist on the northern portion of the Kahama claims, in the same area.

All of Serengeti’s Kahama claims are privately owned by the Serengeti joint venture, and are surrounded by a large exploration permit held by De Beer’s Williamson Diamonds subsidiary. De Beer’s Williamson mine at Mwadui is about 100 km east of the Kahama diamond project.

Elsewhere Overseas

* Siberian Pacific Resources (ASE), recently listed for trading, reports that its joint venture with Eclogit has been registered. A work program is planned for diamond properties in Siberia which were previously explored by the State Geological Expedition. Previous work carried out in the licence area, between 1988 and 1992, consisted of geophysical surveys and core drilling. The joint venture intends to examine the alluvial diamond deposits and to find the original host kimberlite that brought them to surface. The partners will have access to existing government data (previously unavailable for public use) and carry out heavy mineral sampling, geological mapping and ground magnetic and gravity surveys. These data will then be evaluated to delineate both alluvial and kimberlite-type drill targets. * Magnetic surveying and follow-up drilling by South Atlantic Diamonds (VSE) has led to the discovery of five kimberlites near the Coromandel project in eastern Brazil.

Thirty-three intrusive kimberlite bodies are identified in the Coromandel, Corrego D’Anta and Cristais areas.

The company continues to drill three microdiamond-bearing kimberlites, identified last year, and to test other intrusives based on the results of mineral indicator analyses. South Atlantic is also considering establishing a pilot treatment plant for kimberlite samples.

Alberta

* A 3-tonne bulk sample collected by Dankoe Mines (VSE) and Bismillah Ventures (VSE) from the Black Butte project, southeast of Lethbridge, is to be processed shortly.

Previous sampling of the Black Butte pipe-like formation returned one microdiamond from a 38-kg sample. Dankoe and Bismillah are testing a 40-kg sample through an experimental flotation procedure. Preliminary results indicate that geochemically significant gold is present.

The partners are each earning a 25.5% interest from a private company and Tigris Minerals (VSE).