Johannesburg: Botswana Diamonds plc said it has completed the first phase of drilling at its flagship Vutomi project in Frischgewaagt, 280 km north of Johannesburg.
“The purpose of this first phase of drilling was to increase the geological confidence in the ~ 6km long kimberlite dyke/blow system, which is east of, and on strike with, the former De Beers / Southern Era operated Marsfontein Mine,” the Company explained. “Marsfontein was operated for two years in the late 1990's with economics which allowed the entire capital cost to be recouped in under four days. Marsfontein's run of mine grade was 172 cpht at a bottom cut off of +1.2mm.”
Meanwhile, as part of the first phase drilling, 34 percussion and 9 diamond drill holes were drilled on the kimberlite dyke, Botswana Diamonds said. This had resulted in the discovery of two “blows” and “high interest” olivines, G10 and G9 garnets were recovered. The samples have now been submitted for microdiamond analysis, and results are expected within two months.
“The geology is very similar to the high value Marsfontein mine, located 20km away,” Botswana Diamonds noted.
The Company will complete another round of drilling by April/May this year and identify an area for bulk sampling. The modelled per carat value on diamonds recovered from earlier drilling is US$ 259 per carat.
John Teeling, Chairman, Botswana Diamonds commented: "Frischgewaagt is turning into a very exciting project. What we see in the drilling we like. To date we have discovered two "blows" on the kimberlite dyke system. We are moving to delineate the size of each one. The drilling samples contain high quantities of diamond indicator minerals of similar profile to the highly profitable Marsfontein mine some 20km away.”
