Business
Free State Project - Update
Free State Project - Update.
About this update from Botswana Minerals Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 7609W Botswana Diamonds PLC 17 November 2017 \n\n \n17th November 2017\n \nBotswana Diamonds PLC \n(\"Botswana Diamonds\" or the \"Company\")\n \nFree State Project - Update\n \n \nHighlights:\n· Update on Free State kimberlites\n· Eight kimberlites have sizes between 0.3 and 1.15 hectares\n· Field observations of historic workings suggests that the kimberlites contain diamonds\n\n\nThe Board of Botswana Diamonds (AIM: BOD) is pleased to announce results from our third ongoing exploration project in South Africa. The Free State project is situated between Bloemfontein and Kimberley, the historic centre of the diamond industry, where kimberlite was first identified. \n \nFollowing the Company's announcement of 24 October 2017 regarding the re-discovery of eight Group 1 kimberlites, detailed ground geophysical survey work was undertaken by Geofocus. The survey work was aimed at determining the surface area of these kimberlites. Results indicate the sizes of these kimberlites to range from 0.3 hectares to 1.15 hectares: \n \n· Tafelsbergdam (1 and 2 combined): 0.3 ha\n· Poortjie: 0.5 ha\n· Koppiesfontein and Buffelsboutfontein: 0.53 ha\n· Warratah (1 and 2 combined): 0.53 ha\n· Zwartrandsdam: 0.75 ha\n· Vlakfontein: 1.15 ha\n \nThe above sizes were determined using a combination of magnetic, electromagnetic and gravity geophysical techniques, which has resulted in very strong images of the footprints of these kimberlites.\n \nThe kimberlites occur along a northwest to southeast trending kimberlite feeder system along which the diamond mines of Jagersfontein, Koffiefontein and Kimberley are located. It is therefore inferred that the eight kimberlites were formed at the same time as these mines. Recent whole rock geochemistry shows similar compositions in the kimberlites to the surrounding mines. Jagersfontein is renowned for the blue gems it produced, and the Excelsior (972 carat) and Reitz/Jubilee (651 carat) diamonds recovered from it are amongst the 10 largest diamonds ever discovered, ...