Business
Update on New Kimberlite Discovery
Update on New Kimberlite Discovery.
About this update from Botswana Minerals Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 1456S Botswana Diamonds PLC 29 September 2017 \n\n29th September 2017\n\n\n\nBotswana Diamonds PLC \n(\"Botswana Diamonds\" or the \"Company\")\n \nUpdate on New Kimberlite Discovery\n \nThe board of Botswana Diamonds (AIM: BOD) are pleased to provide an update on Ontevreden, the new kimberlite discovery. The Ontevreden project is part of the Company's Vutomi Joint Venture in South Africa. \n \nHighlights:\n· Sampling at the newly discovered Ontevreden kimberlite finds abundant G10, G9 and eclogitic garnets typically seen in high-grade kimberlite pipes; and\n· Drilling to follow later in the year.\n \nOntevreden\nHaving discovered a kimberlite pipe at Ontevreden, the next step was to ascertain if it was diamondiferous. Samples from the pipe were analysed at the University of Johannesburg and produced abundant G10 and G9 garnets with a complimentary suite of eclogitic garnets. This mix of garnets is typically seen in a high-grade kimberlite pipes. This work follows detailed ground geophysics which identified a minimum size of 100mx70m and whole rock geochemistry which characterised Ontevreden as a Group 2 kimberlite. The next step is to drill the kimberlite and this is planned for later in the year.\n \nThe Ontevreden kimberlite pipe is close to Petra Diamonds' Helam Mine, which has grades in excess of 500cpht and a diamond value of US$255/ct at a +1mm bottom cut off.\n \nJohn Teeling, Chairman, commented, \"The exciting new kimberlite discovery at Ontevreden continues to entice. Samples from the surface contain significant quantities of G10 and G9 garnets - high quality diamond indicator minerals frequently found at high-grade kimberlite pipes.\"\n \n \n\nThis release has been approved by James Campbell, Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds plc, a qualified geologist (Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a Fellow of Materials, Metals and Mining with over 31-years' experience in the diamond sector. \n &nbs...