Diamond explorers Ashton Mining of Canada (ACA-T) and Pure Gold Resources (PUG-T) have pulled kimberlitic-textured rocks from the holes drilled northeast of Grande Prairie, Alta.
The partners are testing a series of 10 isolated geophysical anomalies that exhibit the characteristics of pipe-like structures. In a previous program in the area, the Alberta Geological Survey recovered 152 possible pyrope garnets from a 25-kg till sample, and a second 25-kg sample from the same site yielded 176 possible pyrope garnets.
The first hole tested anomaly 7B and passed through 34 metres of glacial overburden before intersecting 120 metres of olivine-dominated, fragmental and tuffaceous material, with possible crater and diatreme facies texture.
Drilling of the 154-metre-long, vertical hole ceased while still in the kimberlitic-textured rock.
A vertical hole into the second anomaly, known as 7C, cut through 36.6 metres of overburden to intersect 54.8 metres of kimberlitic material. The hole was halted at a depth of 91.4 metres owing to to difficult drilling conditions.
Ashton believes the rock types represent diatreme pipes that have “punched up” from the basement through a thick column of overlying, younger sediments.
The sampled core will undergo petrographic studies, as well as testing for diamonds and indicator minerals at Ashton’s laboratory in North Vancouver, B.C.
Under an option agreement with a major Alberta-based energy company, Pure Gold has funded the first $500,000 to earn a 15% interest in the joint venture. The option has expanded the company’s land position to 5.8 million acres in the Buffalo Hills area.
Ashton Mining is operator of the project and can earn a 42.5% interest by spending $5 million on exploration. Drilling continues.
Be the first to comment on "THE DIAMOND PAGE — Ashton intersects kimberlite"