DIAMOND PAGE — De Beers, TNK part ways at Gope

Unimpressed by exploration results, De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBRS-Q) has decided to abandon the Gope diamond project in Botswana.

The major recently completed a bulk-sampling program on four pipes identified in previous programs. The program was one of the requirements enabling De Beers to earn varying interests in the property from TNK Resources (TNKR-C).

Pipe 234 garnered the best results, yielding 18 stones in a 17-tonne sample. The diamonds totalled 1.865 carats in weight, representing nearly two-thirds of the 34 stones collected from all pipe samples.

Also, 500 soil samples were taken around the known kimberlite pipes, as well as 165 soil samples from 16 areas characterized by geophysical anomalies. Drilling at two of those areas failed to intersect kimberlite, but most remain untested.

Similarly, preliminary drilling elsewhere on the property by TNK came up dry. The junior is analyzing soil samples for indicator minerals as it seeks a new partner.