DIAMOND PAGE — Rex finds macros at El Hammami

Toronto-based Rex Diamond Mining (RXD-T) has discovered macrodiamonds at its El Hammami lease in northern Mauritania.

Analyses of 878 soil samples taken between September and November of 1998 revealed 16 stones greater than 0.5 mm in size and weighing a total 0.3 carat. Most samples contained kimberlitic pyrope, while a few contained ilmenite.

The samples were taken in a 500-by-500-metre grid covering a graben structure where exploration crews have found two microdiamonds, high concentrations of kimberlitic G10 garnets, and chrome-diopside with diamond inclusion composition. The dispersal patterns point to multiple sources, though the southeastern portion of the grid predominates.

There, a broad paleo-channel stretches northwest and then bends to the southwest. Several of the diamond-bearing samples were taken from the top of the paleo-gravels, indicating their potential for hosting a deposit. A jig plant is being shipped to the property in order to test this theory.

Rex explores for diamonds on three permits in northern Mauritania: Akchar, El Hammami and Tenoumer. All are at the grassroots stage and comprise a total of 72,000 sq. km.