DIAMOND PAGE — Ashton bullish on Star, Roundrock

Armed with encouraging results from summer sampling, Ashton Mining of Canada (ACA-T) says further work is warranted on its Star and Roundrock properties in the Northwest Territories.

The 7,200-ha Star property is 180 km southwest of the Ekati mine. Sampling comfirms that a previously defined indicator mineral fan originates from the junction of three lakes, and Ashton believes this may indicate a new kimberlite. A ground geophysical survey will be conducted over the lakes this winter, to be followed by drilling.

Indicator minerals on the Star property are said to be similar to those recovered from the Cross property, 10 km to the south. Ashton discovered three uneconomic diamondiferous pipes — Orion, Ursa and Cross — on that property between 1994 and 1996.

Assuming all program funding requirements are met by its joint-venture partners, Ashton will hold a 56% interest in the Star property. Pure Gold Minerals (PUG-T) has a 24% stake, with the remainder held by Tenajon Resources (TJS-V).

Ashton says several discrete indicator mineral fans have been discovered on the 19,400-ha Roundrock property, 130 km west of the Ekati mine. The fans are in an area where the diamondiferous Aquila kimberlite dykes were discovered in 1996. Ashton says the shear abundance of indicator minerals cannot be attributed to the Aquila dyke system alone.

The company plans to define drill targets by performing ground geophysical surveys in the area.

Ashton currently holds a 51% interest on the Roundrock property, with the remainder divided as follows: Pure Gold Minerals, 13.61%; Tahera (TAH-T), 24.5%; Paramount Ventures & Finance (PVF-V), 9.06%; and Silverarrow Exploration (SVI-V), 1.83%.