Diamond Fields International Ltd. has received further stream sediment sampling results from the diamondiferous kimberlite exploration program on its optioned Grand Cape exploration licence in western Liberia. Microprobe results indicate recovery of two G10D garnets from a second source area on Kutuya Creek and kimberlitic ilmenites appear to be emanating from an additional four discrete sources. A total of 63 stream sediment samples have been processed to date from the Grand Cape property, generating six high-priority target areas for detailed follow-up. The exploration team has visited about 15 per cent of the property to date and fieldwork is continuing.
Microprobe analysis to date confirms the recovery of 23 G10 garnets, including four G10D garnets (an additional five garnet grains are promoted to the G10D field when compositions are corrected for MnO content after Grutter, Guerney, et al., 2004). These diamondiferous kimberlite indicators emanate from two discrete source areas, the previously announced Camp Alpha target (reported in Stockwatch on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8, 2005) and the newly discovered Kutuya Creek target approximately six kilometres northwest. Three chrome diopsides of kimberlitic origin have been recovered from samples emanating from the Camp Alpha target. Recovery of kimberlitic garnet and chrome diopside suggests a kimberlite source maybe located within a few kilometres due to the destruction of these grains over short travel distances in the tropical environment that prevails in Liberia.
Distribution of more than 3,250 kimberlitic ilmenite grains recovered over the area indicates that an additional four small drainage areas are of interest for detailed follow-up sampling. The analysis of the ilmenite by microprobe indicates a good diamond preservation potential for the source kimberlites. To view this plot and the garnet mineral chemistry, please follow the following link to Diamond Fields’ website: http://www.diamondfields.com/i/misc/dfi-mar292005-1.gif.
In addition to the regional program, an orientation loam sampling grid of one kilometre by one kilometre has been completed over the original Camp Alpha target, and the results of analysis of these 110 samples is expected within the next three to four weeks. Based on a positive outcome, the grid will be expanded a further two kilometres along strike and a second grid will be established over the Kutuya Creek target.
Further work on the Grand Cape property will include completion of reconnaissance stream sediment sampling and completion of loam samples on grids over the indicated source terrains, (based on positive results from the orientation sampling). If results continue to be positive, DFI plans a ground geophysics program over the loam grids to delineate drill targets, followed by drilling of prioritized anomalies late in 2005.
Diamond Fields has a reconnaissance team in the field led by four geologists, seconded from the Liberian Geological Survey. Stream sediment samples for diamond indicator minerals are jigged in the field to create one to two kilograms of heavy mineral concentrate and sent to Nexo Labs of Kyalami, South Africa (ISO 14001 accreditation has been applied for), where they are prepared and picked by Sophie Napier, a mineralogist with more than 10 years of industry experience. Indicator minerals are then microprobed at the analytical facility of the University of Johannesburg (a merger between Rand Afrikans University and Wits University). The results of the sampling programs have been reviewed, verified (including sampling, analytical and test data) and compiled by the Diamond Fields’ geological staff supervised by Randal Cullen, PGeol, a qualified person as indicated under National Instrument 43-101.
