While running preliminary bench scale tests on material taken from its A-4 kimberlite pipe near Kirkland Lake, Ont., recently, Regal Goldfields (CDN) recovered one gem-quality macrodiamond.
The small stone, weighing 0.135 carats (29 mg), is described as having “good” color and clarity, but has little value in itself.
Regal was testing 1.5 tonnes of kimberlite in preparation for treatment of a 50-tonne bulk sample when it discovered the slightly tinted diamond. Consultant James Tilsley said the treatment process is designed to recover only those diamonds greater than one millimetre in diameter. While it is too early to make projections about the potential grade of the pipe, the company is encouraged by the unexpected find. The stone is one of the largest discovered in the Kirkland Lake area, where close to 20 kimberlite pipes and dykes have been found to date.
The A-4 pipe, estimated by Tilsley to have a surface area of about 18 acres, was sampled and determined to be diamondiferous by both Monopros and Lac Minerals (TSE) in the early 1980s. Lac’s 7.8-tonne sample yielded two stones weighing 0.025 and 0.030 carats, respectively.
Dia Met Minerals (TSE) later acquired ownership of the pipe, but lost it on a technicality. The Kelowna-based junior retains a 2.5% gross sales royalty on the A-4 pipe.
Once Regal has completed the $250,000 bulk sampling program, Goldhunter Explorations (ASE) will have an option to earn a 50% in the pipe by making four payments of $250,000 each before the end of 1993.
This month, Regal will also launch a bulk-sampling program on its nearby diamond-bearing C-14 pipe in partnership with KWG Resources (ME). — For more diamond exploration coverage, see Page 6.
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