Ashton finds more micros in new Buffalo Hills pipes

Microdiamond analyses of samples from four new kimberlite pipes found in the Buffalo Hills region of northern Alberta have determined that three of the pipes are diamondiferous.

Ashton Mining of Canada (ACA-T) drilled a single vertical core hole on each of the four kimberlites. Diamond count results from the core samples are as follows:

Three samples from kimberlite BH-255, weighing a total of 192.8 kg, yielded 134 microdiamonds and 10 macros (a macro is defined as measuring more than 0.5 mm in one dimension).

Three samples from kimberlite BH-155, weighing a total of 550 kg, yielded 64 micros and no macros.

The two largest stones measured 1.4 by 0.6 by 0.5 mm, and 1.1 by 0.6 by 0.6 mm. Both were found in a sample from pipe BH-225.

Three samples weighing a total of 353 kg and taken from kimberlite BH-230 returned only two micros and no macros.

Two samples weighing 52.4 kg and taken from kimberlite LL-7 returned no diamonds.

Results are still pending from two other kimberlites: BH-229 and BM-16.

The Buffalo Hills project is a joint venture between Ashton, Alberta Energy (AEC-T) and Pure Gold Minerals (PUG-T). On completion of the 1999 program, Ashton and Alberta Energy will each hold a 45% interest in the central 5.6-million-acre package of ground, with the remainder held by Pure Gold. In the much broader, 21.3-million-acre Cayo land package, Ashton and Alberta Energy will each have a 35% stake, leaving Pure Gold with 30%.