SouthernEra resumes search for Yuryi source

Toronto-based SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) is continuing its search for the source of diamond-bearing boulders found near the shore of Munn Lake at the Back Lake project in the Northwest Territories.

The company will attempt to narrow down the potential source area of the Yuryi kimberlite float material, as well as two mineral trains that end at the shoreline of Margaret Lake, by using a sonic drill to collect lake bottom samples. The program is aimed at establishing an up-ice cutoff to the kimberlite indicator minerals.

The samples will be processed at an on-site facility in the Munn Lake camp, with an expected turnaround time of 36 hours. The sonic drilling program is scheduled to begin by the end of February and take 3-4 weeks to complete.

Follow-up ground geophysics will be conducted over any prospective target areas.

The Yuryi kimberlite float material was discovered in the summer of 1997 on the western shores of Munn Lake. The float material contains kimberlite boulders ranging up to 25 metres in size. A 581-kg sample of the boulder material yielded 62 macros and 164 micros. (A macro is defined as exceeding 0.5 mm in at least one dimension.) The largest recovered diamond weighed 0.12 carat, with four others greater than 0.01 carat.

Indicator mineral chemistry shows that more than 40% of the pyrope garnets occur in the G10 field, suggesting the source of the Yuryi find is well within the diamond stability field in the earth’s mantle.

SouthernEra is operator of the Back Lake project and holds a 70% interest.

The remaining interest is carried, with Kalahari Resources (KLA-V) holding 19.38% and Island-Arc Resources (IAR-V) owning a 10.62% stake. Kennecott Canada Exploration holds a back-in right to a 30% interest from SouthernEra.