More Large Diamonds On Blue Ice
VANCOUVER, September 23, 2003 -- Diamonds North Resources Ltd. (DDN-TSX Venture) announces diamond results for the SLT 4 kimberlite which was discovered in 2003 along the Galaxy kimberlite structure. This is the first batch of diamond results from the jointly funded Diamonds North - Teck Cominco Limited 2003 work program on the Blue Ice Project on Victoria Island. Approximately 2700 kilograms of sample collected from 11 kimberlite bodies has been submitted for diamond recovery.
A 79.81 kilogram sample from the SLT 4 kimberlite that forms part of the 20 kilometre long Galaxy kimberlite structure yielded 44 diamonds. Ten of the 44 stones are classified as macrodiamonds including 3 diamonds with dimensions greater than 1mm as shown in the table below.
DIAMONDS RECOVERED
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Sample +0.5 mm | +1.0 mm
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Kimberlite Weight Total 1 Axis | 2 Axes | 1 Axis | 2 Axes
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SLT 4 79.81 kg 44 10 | 7 | 3 | 1
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Twenty three percent of the recovered stones are macrodiamonds with seven percent exceeding 1mm in one dimension. The 3 largest stones have the following dimensional measurements:
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Three largest stones (mm)
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1.71 0.66 0.19
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1.28 1.00 0.57
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1.08 0.57 0.37
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Full Square Mesh Sieve diamond results for the SLT 4 kimberlite sample are shown below. These results demonstrate a favourable diamond size distribution highlighting the presence of larger diamond sizes. The frequency of large diamonds is consistent with other kimberlites along the Galaxy Structure.
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Sieve Sizes (mm)
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Sample
Kimberlite Wt (Kg) +0.100 +0.150 +0.212 +0.300 +0.425 +0.600 TOTAL
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SLT 4 79.81 12 14 9 3 4 2 44
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The discovery of the SLT 4 kimberlite is important as it demonstrates continuity of kimberlite along a 6.5 kilometre diamondiferous kimberlite system on the southeast portion of the Galaxy kimberlite structure, and it adds tonnage to the existing system.
The high proportion of large diamonds (greater than 0.5 mm) in the SLT 4 kimberlite, including diamonds greater than 1 mm, reflects the potential for this kimberlite to carry economic diamond grades. Results from SLT 4 are consistent with the overall nature of the kimberlite forming the Galaxy Structure, where moderate to high diamond counts accompany larger diamonds.
SLT 4 is a kimberlite dyke forming part of the 20 kilometre long Galaxy Structure; it occurs 6.5 kilometres from the southeastern end of the structure. This dyke is outlined by geophysical data as a distinct magnetic anomaly up to 75 metres wide. Drill hole BI-03-05 drilled at -85o, to maximize sample collection, intersected a 41.27 metres zone of kimberlite. True thickness of the kimberlite intersection is 3.6 metres including two limestone blocks measuring 1 metre and 0.19 metre respectively. Another nearby drill hole, BI-03-04, drilled at -60o intersected 1.72 metres of kimberlite. The SLT 4 kimberlite is classified as olivine macrocrystic hypabyssal kimberlite with abundant mantle derived indicator minerals. The 79.81 kilogram sample combined seven samples from hole BI-03-05 and one sample from hole BI-03-04.
Kimberlite samples were split and logged in secure facilities at the field camp by qualified geoscientists. Samples were securely sealed in solid containers and shipped by air to SGS Lakefield Research in Ontario. SGS Lakefield's standard caustic fusion diamond recovery method was utilized for all samples. SGS Lakefield is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada to the ISO/IEC Guide 25 standard for specific registered tests.
Diamonds North Resources Ltd. is a diamond exploration company with ten projects covering over 2 million acres of land in Canada's Nunavut and Northwest Territories. Eight projects are located on Victoria Island and two projects are adjacent to the De Beers/Mountain Province Kennady Lake advanced stage discovery.
On behalf of Diamonds North Resources Ltd.
Mark Kolebaba
President
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications:
Nancy Curry
Diamonds North Resources Ltd.
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Website: diamondsnorthresources.com
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