GLOBAL SEARCH FOR DIAMONDS — Aredor yields additional gems for Trivalence

Junior producer Trivalence Mining Concession (TMI-V) continues to receive encouraging results from its Aredor diamond alluvial project in Guinea.

For July and August, Trivalence recovered a total of 2,291 stones weighing 2,990.23 carats for an average stone size of 1.3 carats. Of the total, 102 stones weighed in excess of 5 carats, and all of these are reported to be of potential gem quality. The breakdown of these stones is as follows:30 stones weighing between 5 and 6 carats; 25 stones between 6 and 7 carats; 16 stones between 7 and 8 carats; nine stones between 8 and 9 carats; 10 stones between 9 and 10 carats; and four stones between 10 and 12 carats. The seven largest of these stones weighed 13, 14.5, 15.15, 16.47, 19.03, 20.55 and 34.86 carats.

Meanwhile, a 14-ft. commercial pan plant is being assembled, which will be capable of processing 100 tonnes of alluvium per hour — an increase of 300% over production rates from the 8-ft. test plant now in use. As well, a tailings plant has begun processing material left over by previous operations (from 1984 to 1993). The plant’s rated capacity is 60 tonnes per hour.

At last report, Aredor contained reserves of 1.3 million carats, of which 1.25 million carats were produced in the previous operations. Trivalence holds a 59.5% indirect interest in the 1,112-sq.-km mining concession, with Consolidated African Mining holding a 25.5% interest and the government of Guinea, 15%. Residents of Guinea hold an option to acquire a 10% interest.

For the first eight months of 1997, Trivalence has recovered a total of 13,246.23 carats from its testing operations. Diamonds have been sold in three separate parcels since this year, the most recent of which occurred in July. That sale, which consisted of 3,034.9 carats produced from April 29 to June 9, netted the company US$1.6 million. Total sales for the year stand at US$3.3 million.