Botswana Diamonds hopes at the Kalahari
Botswana Diamonds said about the Company’s Sunland Minerals exploration projects in Botswana. Sunland Minerals is a JV with Alrosa and BOD is the operator that, mineral sampling over the 8 previously discovered and announced high contrast geophysical anomalies in the Gope Region of the Kalahari Desert is completed.
A total of 267 kimberlitic indicator minerals (KIMs) were discovered. All 8 anomalies had KIMs. The KIMs included 41 garnets, 13 chromites, 139 ilmenites, 4 chrome diopsides and 70 olivines. An analysis of the grains by Remote Exploration Services of Cape Town concluded that the sources were likely to be local due to the abundance, size and fresh surface textures of the KIMs.
The next step, currently in process, is to prove the mineral chemistry of the grains to determine the diamond bearing potential. Kimberlitic indicators from the mineral sampling are presented. John Teeling, Chairman, commented: “The first Sunland exploration programme undertaken by BOD geologists has been successful. Sunland is a joint venture with Alrosa with BOD becoming operators in early 2018.
8 anomalies were sampled and encouraging quantities of KIMs were found in all 8. We are pleased by this rare occurrence for three reasons. Firstly, the abundance of a variety of kimberlitic minerals; secondly, the presence of olivines and chrome diopsides which are minerals which do not travel far in the weathering environment and finally the surface texture work indicates a local source.
Our next step forward is to analyse the diamond bearing capacity before we proceed to plan for a drilling campaign. I look forward to providing our shareholders with further updates in due course”.
