Business
Bulk Sampling Commenced
Bulk Sampling Commenced.
About this update from Petra Diamonds Limited
[{"type":"text","content":"\n Petra Diamonds Ld\n18 October 2006\n\n\n Petra Diamonds Limited\n\n Bulk Sampling Commenced at Alto Cuilo Project in Angola\n\n\n\nPetra Diamonds Limited ('Petra'), the AIM-quoted and ASX-listed diamond mining\ngroup, is pleased to announce that bulk sampling has commenced at the Alto Cuilo\nproject ('Alto Cuilo') in Angola. This programme is being undertaken to generate\na better understanding of the kimberlite deposits as well as producing critical\ndata relating to grade and value per carat.\n\n\nThe large diameter drill rig ('LDD rig') has commenced operation and will\ninitially stockpile 200 tonne bulk samples from each selected kimberlite, to be\ntreated by the 10 tonne per hour Dense Media Separation ('DMS') plant which is\nexpected to be commissioned in November 2006. This lead time will enable the\nexploration team to stockpile sufficient material to enable the DMS plant to go\ndirectly to full capacity treatment of the samples when it is commissioned.\nPriority targets have already been identified and ranked for LDD drilling\naccording to mineral chemistry, surface area and logistical considerations.\nInitial results are expected by December 2006.\n\n\nThe LDD rig is a RB40 drill rig from Prakla Bohrtechnic in Germany and will be\ndrilling holes with a diameter of 43 centimetres (17 inches) to depths of up 350\nmetres. The LDD rig is able to extract volumes of material large enough to\nenable Petra to evaluate macro diamonds that may be contained therein, as well\nas giving more accurate data relating to overall grade and carat value.\n\n\nJohan Dippenaar, Petra's CEO, commented, 'The commencement of bulk sampling is a\nsignificant step in the development of Alto Cuilo, following the extensive\nexploration that has been carried out to date. The bulk sampling programme is\nimportant as the results will give us a much better idea of the potential\nproject economics. Alto Cuilo is now at the advanced stage of exploration and,\nworking with our joint venture partner BHP Billiton, we continue to fast track\nthe development of this major project.'\n\n\nTo view first pictures of the drill rig in operation please go to\nwww.petradiamonds.com\n\n\n Ends\n\n\nNotes\n\n1. The information in this update that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral\nResources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Jim Davidson, Pr.\...