THE DIAMOND PAGE — Processing of Diavik sample continues

Partners Kennecott Canada and Aber Resources (ABZ-T) are advancing their Diavik diamond project in the Northwest Territories.

The processing to date of 1,150 tonnes of a 3,000-tonne bulk sample from the A-154 South pipe represents 85 metres of advance into the kimberlite at a depth of 155 metres.

Kennecott Canada and Aber, which hold 60% and 40% interests, respectively, have recovered 4,778.4 carats from 1,100.3 tonnes, for a grade of 4.34 carats per tonne.

An initial 46-tonne sample, representing the first two rounds of advancement into the kimberlite, returned 85 carats, giving a grade of 1.85 carats. The sample was diluted with a substantial amount of wall rock and grout cement.

The A-154 South pipe contains a drill-inferred resource of 8.4 million tonnes to a depth of 250 metres, with the potential to host 20 million tonnes to a depth of 650 metres. Diamonds previously recovered by large-diameter drilling were valued at US$58.17 per carat.

In preparation for a 3,000-tonne underground program of bulk sampling on the nearby A-418 pipe, a 600-metre-long decline is being driven at a 17% grade to the pipe at a planned depth of 145 metres beneath the lake. To date, the decline has advanced 227 metres.

Aber believes A-418 could contain 15-20 million tonnes to a depth of 650 metres.