Diamond Fields reports new Voisey Bay results

Results are now in from the last three holes drilled at Diamond Field Resources’ (TSE) Voisey Bay nickel-copper project on the northeastern coast of Labrador.

Early drilling (holes 94-1 to 94-4) focused on the western portion of a coincident magnetic and electromagnetic anomaly. In this area, the lithologies were interpreted to be steeply dipping to the north, and so angled holes were drilled to the south.

The next round of drilling (holes 95-5 to 95-8) targeted the eastern extension of the anomaly where it widens and forms an ovoid shape. Results from these holes suggested that the sulphide zone was flat-lying, or that it dipped shallowly to the south.

The recent holes (95-9 to 95-11) were drilled vertically to define the extent and grade of the ovoid-shaped massive sulphide body previously encountered in holes 95-07 and 95-08.

Significant results from the new holes include 21.2 metres grading 1.73% nickel, 1.03% copper and 0.07% cobalt in hole 95-09; 113.5 metres of 3.64% nickel, 2.07% copper and 0.14% cobalt in 95-10; and 76.5 metres grading 3.39% nickel, 2.06% copper and 0.12% cobalt in 95-11.

Based on results to date, company personnel believe that the eastern portion of the ovoid anomaly represents, in section, a large massive sulphide body shaped like a wine glass. On surface the body has an elongated bowl shape with rough dimensions of 450 metres in length by 250 metres in width. Drilling has shown the massive sulphide to be more than 110 metres thick within the east-central area of the body.

“We can’t explain the geometry,” Diamond Field’s senior geologist Joe Kajszo tells The Northern Miner. “It is dyke-like in one area and bowl-shaped further to the east.” Kajszo believes the zone may represent the roots of a layered intrusive complex, from which the main body has been eroded away. Geologically, the mineralization is similar to “offset-type deposits” which occur in the Sudbury Basin, Kajszo says. However, he points out that there are some key differences, namely that the Voisey Bay zone is hosted in more basic rocks, exhibits little brecciation, is more continuous and is exposed at surface.

At present, the project site is inactive. Consultation continues among the company, the Labrador Inuit Association and the Innu Nation. These aboriginal groups are involved in a land claims dispute with Ottawa and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition, the Innu recently served Diamond Fields with an eviction notice, citing environment concerns over the Voisey Bay project.

Diamond Fields hopes to carry out additional drilling in the near future.