THE DIAMOND PAGE — Messina puts Lesotho on the diamond map

Long a small-scale diamond-producing country, Lesotho, in Southern Africa, may soon hit the big time.

Messina Diamond (MSC-T), a newly listed Toronto-based company, is stepping up work on the Liquobong diamond project, 110 km northeast of the capital city of Maseru.

The company produces 50,000 carats a year from two underground diamond mines in South Africa, the Messina and Star mines, both of which have a mine life estimated at more than 15 years. But it is the Liquobong project, in which the company holds an option to acquire a 100% interest, that could make Messina a major producer.

The project consists of two known kimberlite pipes, the 9.5-ha Main pipe and the 1.6-ha Satellite pipe, which are connected by a 1-metre-wide fissure.

There other kimberlite bodies are known to exist on the property.

In 1996, Messina treated a 1,490.2-kg portion of a bulk sample from the Satellite pipe. Taking into account only those diamonds larger than 1 mm, the sample indicated that the pipe’s grade was 129 carats per 100 tonnes. The preliminary tonnage calculation for the Satellite pipe is 4 million tonnes to a depth of 125 metres.

A 574.9-kg portion of a bulk sample from the Main pipe was similarly treated, indicating a grade of 47 carats per 100 tonnes. The preliminary tonnage calculation for the Main pipe is 26 million tonnes to a depth of 125 metres.

The value of diamonds from the two pipes averages US$52 per carat (after an export tax of 15% and a 10% royalty to the government).

A major bulk-sampling program will begin in April.

Under construction is a 15-tonne-per-hour plant, which will comprise scrubbing, crushing, dense-media separation, recrushing and X-ray analysis.

Preliminary scoping studies suggest Liquobong has potential to produce 800,000 carats per year. A feasibility study is due by year-end.