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One of these, AT-56, is a kimberlite body of unknown size and shape, whereas the others were found to be non-kimberlitic.
The first two holes drilled into AT-56 intercepted 37 and 33.5 metres of kimberlite under 3 metres of overburden. The first hole was drilled vertically, whereas the second hole was drilled at an angle of 70 from the same site. Both holes ended in country rock.
The kimberlite core itself is reported to contain abundant indicator minerals, including olivine, garnet, chrome diopside and ilmenite. About 250 kg of split core has been sent for microdiamond analysis. Results are expected in 4-6 weeks. The new discovery sits less than 4 km from a mini-cluster of four kimberlite pipes, including the Victor pipe, the site of a large bulk-tonnage sampling program undertaken by
Five additional geophysical anomalies remain to be tested during this first round of drilling.
The Kat project forms part of the Severn joint venture, under which Navigator and Canabrava are exploring for diamonds in the James Bay Lowlands. Navigator can earn a half-interest in the 150-sq.-km project by spending $1.75 million on exploration. The Vancouver-based junior has already spent more than $1 million to date.
In a separate program under the Severn joint venture, Canabrava has mobilized a drill rig to the Frontier project, which comprises the Ogaki and Caribou claim blocks, near Pickle Lake. The company is flying closely spaced, high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic surveys over 42 targets in preparation for drilling. Between 10 and 15 priority targets will be selected for drill-testing during the initial phase.
Navigator can earn a half-interest in the 62-sq.-km Frontier project by matching Canabrava’s 2001 expenditures by Dec. 31, 2003.
Meanwhile, Kennecott Canada Exploration, a subsidiary of
Kennecott can earn a 60% interest in the 367-sq.-km package by spending $25 million on exploration over seven years, or by advancing the project to a production decision. The joint venture covers Canabrava’s wholly owned Whitefish Lake project, plus the KAP and Rocky Island Lake projects, which are owned 50-50 by Canabrava and Paramount.
Last fall, till sampling on the Whitefish Lake project delineated two “strong” kimberlite indicator mineral dispersion trains. A well-defined geophysical anomaly has been outlined in a lake at the head of one of these indicator trains. Ground geophysical surveys are being completed at the head of the second train. Kennecott expects to begin drilling these targets in the first week of March.
At the Rocky Lake project, results from fall till sampling are being compiled. Kennecott is performing further till sampling this winter using a portable auger drill.
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