Renard 3 yields larger stones (July 02, 2002)

Having recovered more than 2,500 diamond fragments from what they believe could have been at least two stones greater than 3 mm, partners Ashton Mining of Canada (ACA-T) and Soquem have recovered 8 macrodiamonds and 11 micros from another 54.6-kg sample from the Renard 3 kimberlite pipe on the 1,536-sq.-km Foxtrot property in the Otish Mountains region of north-central Quebec.

Five of the latest macros are at least 0.5 mm in two dimensions, including one 0.13-carat colourless whole crystal measuring 4 by 2.7 by 1.9 mm.

In mid-June, the partners recovered 9 macros and 10 micros (in addition to the numerous fragments) from a 101.5-kg sample derived from Renard 3. The largest stone recovered measures 2.8 by 1.5 by 0.7 mm. Seven of the macrodiamonds are at least 0.5 mm in two dimensions. The largest stone measures 2.8 by 1.5 by 0.7 mm.

At the same time, a 102.1-kg sample derived from Renard 4 surrendered 14 macros and 21 micros. The largest diamond rang in at 2.5 by 2.1 by 0.9 mm.

At Renard 5, 20 macros and 15 micros were found in a 100.3-kg sample; the biggest had dimensions of 2.5 by 2 by 1.8 mm

At Renard 6, 100.6 kg of kimberlite yielded 6 macros and 25 micros with the largest being 1.2 by 1 by 0.8 mm.

All four lie within 1 km of the Renard 2 kimberlitic body where earlier this year, a 2.4-tonne sample yielded a 1.69-carat parcel of diamonds larger than 0.8 mm in one dimension, for an implied grade of 69.3 carats per 100 tonnes. The five largest stones rang in between 0.1 to 0.16 carat and include both single and composite crystals. Based on six holes, the kimberlitic body is interpreted to be 65 metres wide at a vertical depth of 80 metres.

The first body at Foxtrot, Renard 1, yielded 5 macros and 54 microdiamonds from 205.8 kg of sampled core. Renard 2 lies 1 km south of Renard 1.

The partners plan on collecting larger samples from some of the kimberlitic bodies later this summer. Plans also call for prospecting and detailed heavy mineral sampling around the Renard cluster and ground geophysics to test geophysical anomalies turned up by airborne surveys in late 2000 and early 2002. Drilling will follow.

The partners will also focus their attention on generating targets on other joint venture permits. The two jointly hold more than 3,800 sq. km of mineral permits in north-central Quebec.