Key points
- The 94-day survey covered 1,035 sq km of concession areas and produced 6,569 line kilometres of geophysical data plus 199 seabed vibrocore samples.
- The survey was carried out by operator Alluvial Mining, a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster.
- Preliminary results indicate all three concessions hold significant diamond-bearing potential, including a Namibian zone up to 5 metres thick, 15 km long and 2.5-5 km wide.
- The company will proceed with an intensive bulk sampling program after ordering a process plant for its sampling vessel, scheduled to begin operations in the third quarter.
The geophysical and sampling survey program recently undertaken on the company’s Namibian and South African marine diamond concessions has been completed.
The 94 day survey of the 1,035 sq km concession areas produced 6,569 line kilometres of high quality geophysical data, in addition to 199 seabed vibrocore samples.
The survey was undertaken for the company by its operator, Alluvial Mining, a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster.
Detailed interpretation of the survey data is being carried out by the company’s independent consulting marine geologists. Preliminary results indicate that each of the company’s three concessions contain significant diamond bearing potential over extensive areas, all accessible to existing mining technologies. One particular focus has already been identified in Namibia where a broad zone, up to 5 metres thick, 15 km long and between 2.5-5 km wide is considered particularly promising. This bedrock depression coincides with the trend of basins onland in which rich aeolian diamondiferous deposits were found and mined extensively in the past.
Based on the positive indications to date, the company has decided to proceed with an intensive bulk sampling program to enable the accurate establishment of ore reserve tonnages and grades. In this regard, a process plant has been ordered for the sampling vessel which is scheduled to begin operations in the third quarter of this year.
The company opened its Windhoek office effective April 4 1994.
