A total of 0.82 carat of diamonds larger than 0.8 mm was recovered from a 18.68-tonne reverse-circulation drill sample, for an indicated grade of 4.41 carats per 100 tonnes. A smaller sample of 3.17 tonnes, collected from four core holes, returned 0.14 carat, equivalent to an indicated grade of 4.53 carats per 100 tonnes.
The two largest diamonds recovered weigh 0.095 and 0.094 carat, with maximum dimensions of 2.7 and 3.6 mm. Most of the stones are colorless.
Although the results show that kimberlite K-11 contains diamonds of commercial size, Ashton says there are not enough of them to be of economic interest. No further sampling of K-11 is planned.
Ground geophysical crews have begun follow-up work on new targets, and drilling is set to resume in the coming weeks. Microdiamond analysis is under way on the recent kimberlite finds BM-2, BM-3 and LL-8.
Ashton is operator of the Buffalo Hills project and will, upon completion of the 1999 program, hold a 45% interest. Alberta Energy (aec-t) will also have a 45% interest, with the remainder held by Pure Gold Minerals (pug-t).
On the much broader Cayo land package, Ashton and Alberta Energy will each have a 35% stake, leaving Pure Gold with 30%.
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