GQ surrenders more macros (June 05, 2001)

Encouraging results keep rolling in for Band-Ore Resources (BAN-T) at its GQ property, 20 km north of Wawa, Ont.

Three 24-kg samples of bedrock were collected from the area of the recently expanded Area E diamond-bearing diatreme breccia. Caustic fusion analysis of all three returned microdiamonds and macrodiamonds (at least one dimension greater than 0.5 mm).

The best results were seen in sample 51265, which yielded 116 macros and 2,119 micros. This was the largest number of macros recovered from any sample processed to date. The largest stone measures 1.38 mm by 0.76 mm by 0.6 mm. Six other macros were greater than 1 mm in their longest dimension.

A second sample returned seven macros and 124 micros and the third returned eight macros and 692 micros.

Diamond counts from two more 24-kg samples are pending.

Previously, a total of 249.6 kg of samples from weathered outcrops and boulders of diatreme breccia in Area E yielded 141 macros and 9,094 micros. Five of the macros have a dimension of at least 1 mm, with the largest stone measuring 1.94 mm by 1.54 mm by 1.16 mm and weighing 0.0226 carat. The stones vary in colour, clarity and form. They include broken fragments. The colours vary from clear to white, grey, pink and yellow.

In May, Band-Ore tracked down the source of diamondiferous boulders in Area E to a coarse-grained, xenolith-rich diatreme breccia, which lies within 5 metres of the boulders. Subsequent trenching uncovered the breccia over a length of 75 metres. Another trench, dug about 100 metres to the northwest, followed the breccia across its width for 85 metres.

Subsequently, the company has found more angular boulders and sub-outcrop at least 300 metres to the northwest of the latest sampling and trenching sites. The diatreme breccia has now been exposed over a width of at least 80 metres and over a length of at least 700 metres. It appears to run parallel to the enclosing Archean volcanic rocks that strike north-westerly and dip 30 to the northeast.

Additional sampling is under way. The company plans more geological mapping, prospecting, diamond drilling and sampling on Area E and other coarse breccias on the property.

Band-Ore expects macrodiamond recovery results from a 12-tonne sample of diatreme breccia from Area E by mid-June. The Saskatchewan Research Council is processing the sample for only those diamonds with at least two dimensions greater than 0.85 mm.

Band-Ore says the sample is not big enough for the determination of grades, but it will give the company an indication of the upward continuity of the diamond size distribution.