Afri-Can Marine Minerals Corp. has released the results of the first phase of its sampling program completed on Dec. 16, 2012, on the exclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 3403 marine diamond concession in Namibia. The program successfully extracted 222 samples of five square metres each and recovered 17 diamonds weighing between 0.05 carat and 0.75 carat for a total weight of 4.55 carats.
The sampling program has greatly increased the company’s understanding of the geology in certain regions. It also confirms the potential and validates the planned acquisition of EPL 3403, which warrants a second sampling phase and the start of planning for trial mining on certain areas.
Results are summarized as follows:
West Bank region (within area 2): One hundred forty-nine samples and 16 diamonds were
recovered from the West Bank region during the 2012 program. Combined
with results from the first sampling program in 2011, recoveries
currently stand at 34 diamonds with an average weight of 0.30 carat per
stone. One diamond was recovered from the Plateau region on the western
edge of the West Bank region. Significantly, the sampling demonstrates
that the gravels sampled in this area are very typical of diamondiferous
deposits and the region is extensively mineralized with diamonds
recovered over a distance of five kilometres in the West Bank region. Further
detailed grid sampling will indicate the extent and grade of this
mineralization. The West Bank region will be the focus of detailed
drilling in the upcoming sampling phase and, eventually, of a trial
mining program.
Crater region (covering area 1): Twenty-two samples and no diamonds were recovered
during this phase although previous sampling has proven that the area is
well mineralized. This phase shows that the deposit is discontinuous and
a denser drilling grid is required to intersect the mineralization
effectively. A detailed grid sampling (25-metre-by-25-metre spacing) is required
to define the size and grade of the potential resource. The Crater
region will be the object of the detailed drilling in the next sampling
phase and, eventually, of a trial mining program.
The Ridges region: Eleven samples were recovered with no diamonds. The area has
been sampled at a reconnaissance level only. Further detailed sampling
is required to prove mineralization and concentration.
East Bank and Side Channel regions: Forty samples were extracted and one diamond weighing 0.15 carat was recovered from the Side Channel region.
- West Bank region (within area 2): One hundred forty-nine samples and 16 diamonds were
recovered from the West Bank region during the 2012 program. Combined
with results from the first sampling program in 2011, recoveries
currently stand at 34 diamonds with an average weight of 0.30 carat per
stone. One diamond was recovered from the Plateau region on the western
edge of the West Bank region. Significantly, the sampling demonstrates
that the gravels sampled in this area are very typical of diamondiferous
deposits and the region is extensively mineralized with diamonds
recovered over a distance of five kilometres in the West Bank region. Further
detailed grid sampling will indicate the extent and grade of this
mineralization. The West Bank region will be the focus of detailed
drilling in the upcoming sampling phase and, eventually, of a trial
mining program.
- Crater region (covering area 1): Twenty-two samples and no diamonds were recovered
during this phase although previous sampling has proven that the area is
well mineralized. This phase shows that the deposit is discontinuous and
a denser drilling grid is required to intersect the mineralization
effectively. A detailed grid sampling (25-metre-by-25-metre spacing) is required
to define the size and grade of the potential resource. The Crater
region will be the object of the detailed drilling in the next sampling
phase and, eventually, of a trial mining program.
- The Ridges region: Eleven samples were recovered with no diamonds. The area has
been sampled at a reconnaissance level only. Further detailed sampling
is required to prove mineralization and concentration.
- East Bank and Side Channel regions: Forty samples were extracted and one diamond weighing 0.15 carat was recovered from the Side Channel region.
The table shows the total samples and diamond recoveries from all the programs carried out by Afri-Can, International Mining and Dredging Holding Ltd., and De Beers Marine in EPL 3403 South.
TOTAL SAMPLING RESULTS
Area(i) Total Positive Total Total
Region (km2) samples samples diamonds carats
Ridges 17.8 86 3 4 0.59
South Channel 8.3 43 8 29 3.15
East Channel 3.8 43 10 24 2.31
Side Channel 3.7 50 3 4 1.70
East Bank 3.5 65 3 4 3.67
Central Channel 1.9 32 1 1 1.15
North Channel 3.9 14 2 2 0.50
West Bank 7.4 268 28 34 10.13
Plateau 7.8 16 2 2 0.55
Basin 3.3 52 3 3 1.00
Crater 4.5 254 20 25 13.74
Horseshoe 4.5 2 0 0 0
Total 70.4 925 83 132 38.49
(i) The area coverage of some regions differs from that given in the
sampling program report (De Decker, 2012) and there also is an additional
region. This forms part of the continuing evaluation of 3403S and further
refinements are possible. It is important to note that eventual resource
estimations shall be done by specific deposits and not for individual
regions outlined or for the overall areas combined together.
The average diamond size is similar to that found on concessions nearby, and the high quality of the diamonds is typical of those found off the coast of Namibia.
All data and geological logs from the current and previous sampling programs are currently being analyzed in order to refine and complete the planning of the second sampling phase that is expected to comprise about 300 samples. The second sampling phase will start once the vessel Mv DP the Explorer becomes available.
Pierre Leveille, president and chief executive officer of Afri-Can, stated: “The results of the first phase of this sampling program are satisfying and lead to resource development, as well as eventual trial mining on targeted areas. We feel that we are sitting on a strong project in a very solid industry.”
Bob De Decker (MSc, PrSciNat) is the author of the geophysical survey analysis report, is responsible for the technical part of this press release and is the designated qualified person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.
EPL 3403 covers approximately 800 square kilometres and is adjacent to the north of the Atlantic One mining lease (ML) 47 owned by Namdeb Diamond Corp. (Pty.) Ltd., a 50/50 partnership between the government of Namibia and De Beers Centenary AG. ML 47 is the largest marine diamond deposit in the world and is currently producing in excess of 1.1 million carats per year.
