Key points
- The Q1 1999 bulk sampling program recovered 9,083 diamonds weighing 2,648 carats, averaging 0.28 of a carat, with about 96 per cent gem quality.
- Marine & Coastal Geo-Consultants upgraded Feature 022 resources to 271,000 carats measured and indicated (106,000 measured, 165,000 indicated) plus 298,000 carats inferred.
- The combined Hottentot Bay grant resource estimate rose from 488,000 to 651,000 carats, including 82,000 inferred carats in Feature 012.
- Namco filed an application for a mining licence over the 359-square-kilometre Saddle Hill prospect, covering Features 022 and 012 of the Hottentot Bay grant.
Namibian Minerals had an increase in
diamond resource estimates following completion of a recent bulk sampling program in Feature 022 of
the Hottentot Bay grant in Namibia, bringing the company’s total estimated resources to 2.9 million carats.
The company has filed an application for a mining licence over 369 square kilometres of the Hottentot Bay grant.
Namco’s Hottentot Bay grant covers an area of 526 square kilometres and its southern boundary is approximately three kilometres west from the embayment where the pioneer of the marine diamond industry Sammy Collins
recovered approximately 340,000 carats in four months in 1962.
The original resource estimates for Feature 022 were calculated during the company’s Namrod sampling
program in 1995/1996. The latest bulk sampling program, conducted in the first quarter of 1999, aimed
to confirm the grade estimates and patterns of mineralization in order to upgrade the previous resource
estimates. Bulk sampling comprised 10 trenches, which were on average 13 metres wide and 80 metres
long each, positioned in previously sampled areas in order to make accurate comparisons with results of
the earlier sampling program. In each trench, bulk samples were measured at 10-metre intervals, which
represented a cleared bedrock area of 130 square metres each.
A total of 9,083 diamonds weighing 2,648 carats with an average diamond size of 0.28 of a carat was recovered during the program. Approximately 96 per cent of diamonds recovered were gem quality. Diamond
grades recovered ranged from less than 0.1 of a carat/square metre to 1.81 carats/square metre.
Independent geological consultants Marine & Coastal Geo-Consultants were commissioned to review
sampling data and to reassess mining resource potential. Based on additional information gained from
sampling results, Marine & Coastal have upgraded original resource estimates to 271 000 carats of
measured and indicated resources (measured — 106,000 carats; indicated 165,000 carats — previously nil)
and 298,000 carats of inferred resources (previously 400,000 carats). The estimates have been calculated
using a cutoff grade of 0.1 of a carat/square metre.
The combined resource estimate for the Hottentot Bay grant has increased from 488,000 carats to
651,000 carats, which includes 82,000 carats of inferred resources in Feature 012.
On the strength of these results the company filed its application for a mining licence over a 359-square-kilometre area known as the Saddle Hill prospect, incorporating resources in Feature 022 and Feature 012 of the
Hottentot Bay grant.
“These results confirm the quality of Namco’s sampling methodology and exploration approach. While
diamond sizes and the extent of mineralization were confirmed, the average grades continued to exceed
expectations,” said Namco’s exploration director Mike Woodborne. “We are delighted to have proved up
additional resources for expansion of our mining licence areas.”
The current status of the revised resource estimates, excluding current production in Feature 019 of mining
licence 51 of approximately 200,000 carats is:
Measured Indicated Inferred Total
ML 51
(Luderitz)
LBG011
9,000 9,000
LGB018
464,000 464,000
LBG019
616,000 203,000 819,000
LBG020
220,000 116,000 684,000 1,020,000
Saddle Hill
prospect
(Hottentot Bay)
HBG012
82,000 82,000
HBG022
106,000 165,000 298,000 569,000
Total
942,000 484,000 1,537,000 2,963,000
The resource estimates were compiled by Marine & Coastal Geo-Consultants cc (senior author and
qualified person: R. De Decker, MSc, PrSci, Nat) based on mining and sampling data provided by the
company and using the resource definitions provided in the Australasian code for reporting of identified
mineral resources and ore reserves (JORC code). The revised model and estimates have been based
on reasonable assumptions and rigorous technical evaluation of available information. A description of
these assumptions and evaluation together with the geological environment and regulatory systems of the
Luderitz Bay mining licence and Hottentot Bay grant are contained in the company’s annual information
form dated April 30, 1999. Marine & Coastal actively participated in the sampling program and has
confirmed that the recording of sampling results was undertaken in a rigorous and competent manner.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for “forward-looking” statements.
