THE DIAMOND PAGE — Archangel recovers more diamonds from Russian pipe

Canadian diamond explorer Archangel Diamond (AAD-V) has released results from the latest hole to have intersected kimberlite diatreme in the newly discovered 441 pipe at its 40% held Verkhotina diamond project in northwestern Russia.

Hole 49 intersected 116.2 metres of crater facies, starting at a depth of 74.3 metres, before cutting 115.5 metres of diatreme between 190.5 and 306 metres.

A 918.4-kg sample of the crater facies yielded 50 macrodiamonds, including 17 stones measuring between 1 and 2 mm, and one stone measuring between 2 and 4 mm, for a preliminary grade of 89 carats per 100 tonnes (0.89 carat per tonne).

The kimberlite diatreme returned 73 macros from a 1,068.1-kg sample. The diamonds included 21 stones measuring between 1 and 2 mm, and six stones measuring between 2 and 4 mm. A preliminary grade for the diatreme is calculated at 212 carats per 100 tonnes (2.12 carats).

Hole 49, the fifth hole to test the 441 pipe, is an 80-metre stepout south of previously reported hole 43. That hole recovered 16 macros from a 1,052.3-kg sample of crater facies and 63 macros from a 709.5-kg sample of kimberlite diatreme.

To date, the five holes have collected 2.8 tonnes of drill core from the crater facies and 1.8 tonnes from the diatreme. The crater facies grades 43 carats per 100 tonnes (0.43 carat), while the diatreme facies grades 194 carats per 100 tonnes (1.94 carats). The largest diamond recovered to date weighs 0.5 carat.

Delineation drilling on the pipe continues. Assay results are pending for hole 48, a stepout 80 metres west of hole 43. Hole 51, a stepout 80 metres south of hole 49, failed to intersect the kimberlite, though hole 46, a stepout 80 metres west of hole 48, intersected the crater facies at a depth of 65 metres.

Archangel’s joint-venture partner is state entity Archangelskgeoldobycha, which holds a 50% interest.