DIAMOND PAGE — SouthernEra finds new pipe at Back Lake

A new kimberlite has been exposed by hand-trenching and test-pitting on the Back Lake project, northeast of Camsell Lake in the Northwest Territories.

The kimberlite body is land-based and was found by SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) during detailed follow-up sampling on a strong indicator mineral train. The kimberlite extends over a minimum surface area of 30 metres in diameter. Further hand-trenching outside of this area is hindered by large boulders in the till.

The processing of a small portion of weathered, green clay kimberlite on-site has yielded two macrodiamonds from plus 0.5 mm screen sieve material. The largest of the two measures 0.8 mm in one dimension, and both diamonds are described as clear and white in color. In addition, indicator minerals, including chromites and ilmenites, are present.

The kimberlite is reported to contain both peridotitic and eclogitic nodules.

Down-ice of the kimberlite, a single till sample returned 24 pyrope garnets, including nine G10s.

The discovery was made about 1 km from where previous drilling intersected kimberlite dykes.

The indicator mineral train is one of six trains identified in the Munn Lake area of the Back Lake property. These anomalous trains are the focus of a large-scale till sampling program covering both the Back Lake and MacKay Lake properties. A total of 1,700 samples is expected to be collected by the end of August.

On the neighboring MacKay Lake property, five distinct indicator mineral trains are known.

Ground geophysical surveys are following up on the new discovery in preparation for diamond drilling in early September.

SouthernEra holds a 70% interest in both properties, while Kalahari Resources (KLA-V) holds 19.38% of Back Lake and 30% of MacKay Lake.

The remaining interest in Back Lake is held by a consortium of juniors, including Island-Arc Resources (iar-v) with a 5.8% share.