Diamond Fields International Ltd.
has recovered a gem-quality diamond from an exploration pit on its Grand Cape property in
Liberia and has provided an update with respect to its marine diamond mining project in
Namibia.
Liberian diamond exploration
DFI geologists have recovered a 0.1-carat gem-quality octahedral diamond
from an exploration pit on a kimberlite target in Liberia. The pit was
excavated as a follow-up to the recovery of G10 garnet indicators in a
recessive area of swampy ground. A sample from the pit contained large
quantities of kimberlitic ilmenite and garnet as well as the diamond. The
target is anticipated to be a northeast-trending diamondiferous dike of
unknown strike extent. The recessive feature being explored extends for over
two kilometres. Further work will include completion of additional pits along and across
strike.
The company has completed cutting a one-kilometre by one-kilometre grid over its initial
kimberlite discovery, anticipated to be a pipe. That body and a smaller
satellite will be mapped with ground geophysics to confirm their size and
prepare for drilling of core samples.
Preparation of grids in the heavily forested terrain is continuing to allow
mapping of several other targets where pitting has recovered either fragments
of kimberlite or large quantities of untransported kimberlite indicators,
indicating the kimberlite matrix has been weathered away.
KIM reconnaissance samples are jigged in the field to create
approximately one kilogram of heavy mineral concentrate, sieved and analyzed in DFI’s
sample processing facility in Monrovia with selected high interest grains
being sent to Nexo Labs in South Africa (ISO14001 accreditation has been
applied for) for confirmation. Selected indicator minerals are microprobed at
the analytical facility of the University of Johannesburg (a merger between
Rand Afrikaans University and Wits University). 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.
Namibian marine diamonds
The company’s mining vessel MV DF Discoverer is scheduled to temporarily
cease mining from June 7, 2006, and return to Cape Town for its statutory 2.5
yearly dry dock inspection for continuance of class certification. At the same
time certain refit, maintenance and upgrade engineering work will be
undertaken with the objective of improving operating times and efficiencies.
Mining operations in Namibia are planned to be resumed at the end of July and
cost of the works is estimated at $1.5-million (U.S.). The company is considering
alternatives for securing additional financing required to cover these costs.
