THE DIAMOND PAGE — Results pending from Yamba Lake

In the Northwest Territories, results are still awaited from additional holes drilled in the Yamba Lake region where the latest kimberlite discoveries were made. This project is a joint venture involving Tanqueray Resources (ASE), Fibre-Klad Industries (ASE) and Mill City Gold Mining (ASE).

Tanqueray director Ed Schiller says an extensive winter drill program will be carried out to evaluate further the Torrie pipe, where 152 microdiamonds and 39 macrodiamonds were recovered from 161.6 kg of core. The partners also plan to test other geophysical-geochemical anomalies, said to be well situated with respect to Schiller’s so-called “Corridor of Hope.” Schiller says results are expected in mid-November for drill core which intersected the Sputnik and Sue pipes at Yamba Lake. Another hole, 93-2, from the Torrie pipe will be processed at a later date.

* An agreement to acquire an 80% interest in three claim blocks comprising about 104,000 hectares in the Kikerk Lake region has been signed by Caledonia Mining (TSE). The company will issue 250,000 shares for the acquisition, which has yet to be approved by regulators. The claim blocks are some 34 km from Caledonia’s coastal claims on the Coronation Gulf.

Saskatchewan

* Consolidated Pine Channel Gold (VSE) has made a discovery in the Tobin Lake area, 110 km northeast of the Fort a la Corne diamond discovery. The company and joint-venture partner Golden Peaks Resources (VSE) report that drilling intersected “what appears visually on site to be a kimberlite pipe of an undetermined size.” The pyroclastic kimberlitic material was reported to have been intersected nine metres below surface. Visual inspection of the core indicates the presence of pyrope garnets and green chromite grains.

* Geophysical surveys have identified several targets on Better Resources’ (VSE) claim blocks in the Val Marie area of southern Saskatchewan. The work also included collecting 100 heavy mineral samples, which have since been concentrated and analysed for indicator minerals.

Several samples produced concentrates containing G5, G9 and G11 pyrope garnets, as well as G3 eclogitic garnets, chrome diopsides and chromites. Drilling is planned to test certain anomalies, in conjunction with ongoing evaluation of additional targets.

Quebec

* Sampling of ground at Ile Bizard, near Montreal, has yielded kimberlite indicator minerals, Noront Resources (VSE) reports.

A heavy mineral concentrate was recovered from a 30-lb. gravel sample on ground southwest of the property known as Oka Lake of Two Mountains. This product reportedly contains pyrope garnets, chrome diopsides, orange eclogitic garnets and ilmenites.

Overseas

* An option to acquire a 50% working interest in a 130-sq.-km property in the Central African Republic has been acquired by Exploration Mirandor (ME). The ground lies in the watershed of the Mooka Quadda plateau area. The agreement, which has yet to be approved by regulators, was acquired from Gincho International Ventures for cash, shares and a commitment to spend $350,000 on exploration by June 30, 1994.

* Copperquest (CDN) says negotiations with the government of Guinea, in West Africa, to acquire the Aredor-Guinea diamond mine have reached the final stages. Permitting and all necessary approvals are expected soon. * Large diamonds are being sought at the 50%-owned River Ranch diamond mine of Redauraum Red Lake Mines (TSE) in Zimbabwe. Fragments totaling 356.2 carats from a single broken diamond were recovered; the largest single fragment weighed 33.4 carats.

It is believed the stone was broken up during processing in the mine’s rotary pan treatment plant. A larger, heavy-medium separation plant, to be commissioned later this year, will be capable of recovering stones up to 44 mm (1.5 inches) in size.

* Limited exploration has been undertaken by Reunion Mining, as manager and joint partner of the Africa and Quest joint ventures in Zimbabwe. Caledonia Mining, which has a 46.3% interest in Reunion, reports that new kimberlite indicators were uncovered at the Hwange, Gwaii and Bembezi projects. Also, aeromagnetic anomalies were identified at the Quest project. Argosy Mining (VSE) and partners may earn up to a half interest in the joint ventures by spending up to $8 million over four years on exploration and development.