In preparation for bulk sample No. 2, the Aokarn Thai No. 3 dredge is currently digging an access channel to the North Channel site on line 1500W. Digging of the channel, 1.2 km long, 55 metres wide and 4.5 metres deep, commenced on July 18 1997 and has advanced approximately 850 metres.
Progress is being impeded by shallow water (averaging 1.2 metres), seasonal tidal variations of between 2.4 and 0.5 metres, and unseasonally high winds. Despite these difficulties, it is expected that digging of the channel will progress far more rapidly than the digging of the channel to bulk sample No. 1 during 1996. The installation of the overburden discharge floating pipeline system has significantly increased operational efficiency during this phase of the project.
Once the channel has been completed, a tailings disposal pond 100 metres long, 70 metres wide and 13 metres deep will be dug between the end of the channel and the bulk sample area.
A ramp will then be dug down to expose the gravel horizon leading to the bulk sample area. This area – 1,500 metres offshore and between drill holes 520 and 620 south – has been selected in zone of high rutile concentration which Trans Hex International, the project managers (and Ocean) continue to believe to be a good indicator for diamonds. It is planned to excavate approximately 5,000 cubic metres from a trench 100 metres long, 70 metres wide at seabed, 25 metres wide at basement and with an estimated gravel thickness of 2 metres.
It is anticipated that bulk sample No. 2 will be completed during the latter part of October 1997.
