DIAMONDS — Guibord ruby counts indicate potential

Testing and mineral counts on a bulk sample from a property owned by Tandem Resources (TDM-M) in northeastern Ontario are confirming ruby mineralization in a kimberlite found there in 1996.

Test work by the Saskatchewan Research Council is not yet complete on the Guibord Twp. property, but so far the work has identified 96 ruby grains larger than 0.5 mm. Nine of the ruby grains are greater 2 mm in their longest dimension, a size that normally translates into weights of more than 1 carat.

Rubies, the red color phase of the mineral corundum, generally command a higher price than diamonds of equivalent size and quality. While corundum is not uncommon in kimberlite, the rock type hosts few gem-quality occurrences of the mineral.

The bulk sample also contained microdiamonds (with a grain size of less than 0.5 mm) that have not been counted. Another 1.5 tonnes of oversize material have yet to be tested.

The bulk sample was made up of 17.5 tonnes of 85-mm (P-size) core recovered from Tandem’s 1997-1998 program. Further work is planned for this winter.

Tandem holds an option to earn an 80% interest in the property from Homestake Mining (HM-N), and has so far earned 50%. To earn the remaining interest, Tandem must spend $1 million on exploration and make a cash payment of $125,000. Tandem also owns claims in the land package surrounding the Guibord kimberlite.