DIAMOND PAGE — Poplar, partner to develop past producer

Poplar Resources (PPX-V) and its partner have been granted a mining permit to begin operations at the Aardvark diamond project

in South Africa’s Orange Free State.

The permit, which was granted to Poplar’s partner, South African-based Savannah Diamondfields, covers the extraction and processing of kimberlite from the Lovedale pipe, as well as three kimberlites that intersect it.

Refurbishment work at the past-producing Lovedale mine is already in progress, and the partners are set to extract a 350-tonne bulk sample in order to confirm a grade of 25 carats per 100 tonnes in hypabyssal kimberlite. According to a consultant, 90% of the diamonds that the mine produced in the mid-1960s were classified as “high quality.” Exploration continues at the Aardvark project, which includes the Thor pipe and 36 km of fissures. Poplar is earning a 45% interest in Savannah through exploration financing and the issuance of shares.

The Aardvark project, near the town of Theunissen, is on strike with the Star mine of Messina Diamond and the Rex mine of Rex Diamond Mining.