Thorny River analysis completed!
Further analysis of the work completed to date Botswana Diamonds & that has led to an updated estimate of the diamond value range of US$120-US$220 per carat. The estimated diamond grade range remains at 46-74cpht. The Board of Botswana Diamonds said that a Scoping Study has commenced to determine the potential commerciality of the Thorny River Diamond Project.
The study will further refine the volumes of diamonds in-situ, the grade and the value per tonne of ore. A critical aspect will be to evaluate the processing and mining options. This work is expected to take up to six months.
John Teeling, chairman, commented: “We now have a much better understanding of the geology and metrics of the Thorny River deposit. What is emerging is a project with similar metrics to the neighbouring Klipspringer Mine. We are now undertaking a detailed study to refine our processing, geological and commercial parameters.”
The Thorny River Project is a consolidation of the Frischgewaagt, Hartbeesfontein and Doornrivier properties into a 2,771 hectare area in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Extensive drilling, geophysics and sampling work has been undertaken at Thorny River during the last twelve months.
According to the Company’s internal models and forecasts, Modelled diamond value range of US$120 / carat – US$220 / carat. Volume (unchanged) is estimated 1.2 million – 2.1 million tonnes of kimberlite to a depth of 100m.
