THE DIAMOND PAGE — Shore recovers gems from Saskatchewan kimberlite

Saskatoon-based Shore Gold (SGF-A) has recovered diamonds from two kimberlite pipes at its 75%-owned Fort la Corne property in Saskatchewan.

Four geophysical targets were subjected to a total of five drill holes, all of which intersected kimberlite. To date, only 10% of samples from each of holes 1 and 3 have been processed.

Holes 1 and 5 were drilled on the same target, with holes 2, 3 and 4 collared 1.5 km west of the first hole.

The first kimberlite is 500 metres in diametre and at least 245 metres thick in its central portion.

It is believed the western holes, though spaced 1 km apart on distinct magnetic anomalies, may have intersected one large, continuous kimberlite body. Drilling and ground geophysics suggest this kimberlite measures 2 by 1.5 km and has a minimum thickness, where drill-tested, of 100 metres.

Core samples are being processed at the Saskatchewan Research Council laboratory using the caustic fusion method. Results are pending, though the company says indications are that both pipes are diamondiferous.

Situated 65 km east of Prince Albert, the Fort la Corne property is 25%-owned by Firebrand Energy, a private company based in Regina.

The next phase of exploration is expected to include airborne and ground geophysical work over the company’s wholly owned land parcel south of the joint venture, drilling other existing magnetic targets, and taking a mini-bulk sample of 6-8 tonnes from one or more of the known kimberlite pipes.