Drill results from the A-418 kimberlite pipe at the Diavik project in the Lac de Gras area of the Northwest Territories suggest the structure may have comparable potential to the nearby A-154 South pipe.
Kennecott Canada processed 19.1 tonnes of material from the first three large-diameter holes at its recovery plant in Yellowknife. The company holds a 60% interest in the joint venture, with Aber Resources (TSE) holding the remaining 40%.
A total of 83.1 carats were recovered for a preliminary grade of 4.3 carats per tonne. The diamonds ranged in weight from 0.025 to 3 carats, with the largest weighing 2.2 carats.
All of the holes bottomed in kimberlite, with hole A418-3 reaching a depth of 417.3 metres. Aber estimates the pipe could contain a minimum resource of 15 million tonnes to a depth of 650 metres. At least six more large-diameter holes will test the pipe.
The A-418 lies 700 metres southwest of the A-154 South pipe, where a 3,000-tonne underground bulk-sampling program is under way. Of the 500 tonnes mined to date, 260 tonnes have been shipped to Yellowknife for processing.
In 1995, a large-diameter drilling program on A-154 South recovered 255.6 carats from 56.5 tonnes for a grade of 4.5 carats per tonne. The diamonds are valued at US$58.17 per carat, giving an overall value of US$262 per tonne. Surface drilling has delineated 8.4 million tonnes to a depth of 250 metres. Aber believes the A-154 South pipe could contain a resource of 20 million tonnes if projected to a depth of 650 metres.
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