Dia Met ready to process samples

Diamond explorer Dia Met Minerals (TSE) will begin processing kimberlite samples stockpiled at its pilot plant in Colorado soon, says president Jim Eccott.

Since the material must be thawed completely before processing, he says unpredictable weather, including heavy spring snowfall in the mountainous state, is creating some delay.

“We’re trying to get the trucks down there between snowstorms.” With one reverse circulation rig left on site at Lac de Gras, N.W.T., (down from two such rigs earlier this year), the bulk-sampling program supervised by partner BHP Minerals Canada is nearing completion. The senior is extracting material from at least two diamondiferous kimberlite pipes on the joint venture’s claim block.

Eccott said he expects results of the program to be available in late May or early June. A 160-ton sample taken from the 50-acre Point Lake pipe last year yielded diamonds weighing a total of 101 carats. About 25% of the diamonds were of gem quality and some were in the 1-to-3 carat range. Meanwhile, a kimberlite pipe found recently by Lytton Minerals (TSE) on its property northwest of Lac de Gras will be the Territories’ next bulk-sample candidate.

Lytton says drilling to date suggests the pipe has a surface area of about 30 acres. Encouraged by preliminary results, the company is shipping a second core drilling rig to the property for the bulk-sampling program. President Desmond Alexander said Lytton will drill a number of holes on the different phases of the pipe to extract a sample weighing in the order of 75-100 tons before moving on to other targets. He said the material will be processed at two different Canadian labs, but would not elaborate further.