Key points
- The Aokam Thai No. 3 dredge is in position at the first bulk sample site, digging at a depth of 30 metres where drilling shows basement at a maximum of 35.5 metres.
- The first bulk sample trench covers the full 285 metre length of the south channel, lies 2 kilometres offshore, and targets gravel and sand horizons 2 to 7 metres thick.
- Trans Hex International, a subsidiary of The Trans Hex Group, joined the project in early September and is spending US$5 million to earn a 30% interest.
- Close-space drilling is underway at the next bulk sample location in the north channel, with processing scheduled to start in February 1997 once the first sample is complete.
The company and its joint venture partners have increased the size of the first bulk sample to be taken in its Indonesian Sunda Shelf offshore diamond exploration project.
Originally planning to dredge and process 5,000 cubic metres of
diamondiferous gravels, in its report to the ASX released today,
the company detailed plans to process 37,840 cubic metres of
gravel.
With the Aokam Thai No. 3 dredge already in position on the first
bulk sample location and digging at a depth of 30 metres (drilling
has shown basement at a maximum depth of 35.5 metres across the
bulk sample location) processing of initial gravels is only a
matter of days away.
The first bulk sample trench, which will cover the full extent
of the south channel, is 285 metres long and lies 2 kilometres
offshore where target gravel and sand horizons vary between 2 and
7 metres.
Preparation for the bulk sample has benefited from the company’s recent
partnership with the major South African diamond miner The Trans
Hex Group.
Trans Hex International, a subsidiary of The Trans Hex Group,
joined the Sunda Shelf project in early September and is spending
US$5 million to earn a 30% interest in the project.
Close-space drilling is underway at the next bulk sample location
in the north channel. Processing of this sample is scheduled to
begin in February 1997, at the completion of the first sample.
Drilling results will determine the size of the second sample.
