Diamond Fields Resources Inc. has released a National Instrument 43-101 maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 1.5 million tonnes grading 22.7 per cent zircon (zirconium silicate) (equivalent to 15.3 per cent zirconium dioxide) for its Beravina project in Madagascar.
Sybrand van der Spuy, chief executive officer of Diamond Fields Resources, commented: “We are pleased to have achieved our objective of completing a NI 43-101-compliant resource statement for the Beravina project before the end of the year. The resource statement is an important milestone in Beravina’s development and clearly shows the high-grade nature of the deposit. We are continuing with our work to test the market for our product and also evaluate financing options for Beravina’s continued advancement.”
Inferred mineral resource estimate
BERAVINA MINERAL RESOURCE AT A CUT-OFF GRADE OF 9 PER CENT ZRO2, DEC. 14, 2018
Category Tonnes (millions) ZrO2 (%) ZrSiO4 (%) HfO2 (%) ThO2 (ppm) U3O8 (ppm) Density (t/cubic metre)
Inferred 1.5 15.3 22.7 0.3 537 46 3.1
The mineral resource was estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) best practice guidelines and is reported in accordance with the 2014 CIM definition standards, which have been incorporated by reference into NI 43-101.
The mineral resource is reported at a cut-off grade of 9 per cent ZrO2, which is the lowest-grade block estimate within the mineralization model. Given the relatively high grade of the deposit, the qualified person considers that mineralization at this cut-off grade (of 9 per cent) will satisfy the test for reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, should present market conditions remain.
The zircon mineralization occurs within a zoned quartz-feldspar pegmatite. The mineralization is contained within the outer quartz-zircon zone that forms a roughly circular outcrop on the Beravina hill. The mineralized zone was modelled as a sheath of mineralization, with the hangingwall being toward the centre of the sheath and the footwall being the outside of the mineralized zone. The mineralized zone plunges to the north at between approximately 50 degrees and 65 degrees, and is generally between 10 metres and 20 metres wide.
Eleven holes inclined at 50 degrees and two vertical holes were drilled at Beravina in 2006 and 2011. These were subjected to a complete relogging and resampling exercise by MSA in 2018. Ten of the holes intersected the mineralized zone. The drill holes are between approximately 19 metres and 104 metres long. The drill hole intersections are aligned in two horizontal lines: one on the north side and the other on the south side of the deposit.
The core samples taken by MSA were assayed at SGS Randfontein (South Africa). Samples were dried and then crushed to 80 per cent less than two millimetres. A subsample of 500 grams was pulverized to 85 per cent less than 75 microm using a carbon steel ring and puck pulverizer. ZrO2 and hafnium oxide were analyzed using XRF with borate fusion. Thorium dioxide and triuranium oxide were analyzed by ICP-MS with sodium peroxide fusion. The samples were subjected to a quality control and assurance process consisting of the laboratory’s internal processes as well as the insertion of blank and certified reference material samples by MSA. The ZrO2 and HfO2 assays were confirmed within close limits by completion of check assays on a representative number of samples by a second laboratory (ALS Chemex in Vancouver).
A three-dimensional block model of the mineralized zone was created based on the drill hole logging and assays as well as the mapped outcrop. The grades of ZrO2, HfO2, ThO2 and U3O8 were estimated into the block model using inverse distance squared interpolation. Density was estimated using a formula based on the estimated percentage of zircon. The mineral resource was classified as inferred, largely due to the low number of mineralized intersections and the incomplete drill coverage of the deposit. The downdip extent of the mineral resource was limited to 50 metres from the deepest drill hole. The mineralization is open at depth.
The company intends to file a full NI 43-101 technical report at its website and on SEDAR within 45 days of this announcement.
The mineral resource information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jeremy Witley, PrSciNat (geological science), of MSA Group. Mr. Witley is a qualified person (as that term is defined by NI 43-101) and is independent of Diamond Fields Resources.
About Diamond Fields Resources Inc.
Diamond Fields Resources is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed exploration and mine development company with assets in Madagascar and Namibia. In Madagascar, Diamond Fields Resources is developing the Beravina project, an advanced high-grade zircon exploration prospect located in the west of the country, approximately 220 kilometres east of the port of Maintirano and near a state road. In Namibia, International Mining and Dredging Holdings Pty. Ltd. is undertaking an initial six-month (non-continuous) offshore diamond mining program on Diamond Fields Resources’ ML 111 licence area.
