Diamonds North Recovers Large Diamond From Hadley Bay
A large stone measuring 2.22mm x 2.17mm x 1.26mm, weighing 0.06273 carats, was recovered from a 120.22 kilogram sample from a trench at the newly discovered Blizzard 1 kimberlite. A total of thirteen diamonds were recovered from the sample, of which, 3 (23%) of the stones are macrodiamonds with at least one dimension measuring more than 0.5mm. A second smaller 66.32 kilogram sample from Blizzard 2, a trench located 1000 metres northwest of Blizzard 1, returned 3 diamonds including one stone that classifies as a macrodiamond.
At the Jaeger kimberlite, a total of 109 diamonds were recovered from a 174.74 kg composite sample of drill core collected from two holes (HB03-02 and HB03-03). Seven of the stones recovered (6%) are classified as macrodiamonds.
The largest stones from the Blizzard and Jaeger samples, noted in Table B, have the following dimensions listed in Table A:
----------------------------------------------- Table A Largest Stones (mm) Table B Kimberlite X Y Z reference ----------------------------------------------- Blizzard 1 2.22 2.17 1.26 (1) ----------------------------------------------- Blizzard 1 0.97 0.88 0.62 (2) ----------------------------------------------- Blizzard 2 0.51 0.29 0.14 (3) ----------------------------------------------- Jaeger 0.74 0.43 0.35 (4) ----------------------------------------------- Jaeger 0.68 0.57 0.36 (5) ----------------------------------------------- Jaeger 0.77 0.48 0.25 (6) -----------------------------------------------
Full Square Mesh Sieve diamond results for the reported samples are presented below in Table B. The diamond results from the Blizzard 1 kimberlite demonstrate the presence of large stones within a small diamond population (13 stones). The recovery of diamonds on the 1.70mm and 0.600mm mesh sieves is very impressive considering the sample size and diamond population size. A larger, more representative sample will be collected from the Blizzard kimberlite in 2004. The occurrence of large diamonds within a small population of stones has previously been observed in the 2002 diamond results for the King Eider kimberlite and Turnstone kimberlite (see October 22, 2002 and January 21, 2003 news releases) which both occur along the King Eider kimberlite structure. The stones recovered from the 2003 drilling and trenching program continue to provide encouragement for the diamond potential of the under-explored Hadley Bay Project.
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TABLE B: Sieve Sizes (mm)
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Kimberlite Weight (Kg) +1.700 +1.18 +0.85 +0.600 +0.425
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Blizzard 1 120.22 1 (1) 0 0 1 (2) 0
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Blizzard 2 66.32 0 0 0 0 0
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Jaeger 174.74 0 0 0 0 1 (4)
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TABLE B: Sieve Sizes (mm)
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Kimberlite +0.300 +0.212 +0.150 +0.100 TOTAL
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Blizzard 1 0 2 3 6 13
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Blizzard 2 0 1 (3) 2 0 3
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Jaeger 5 (5),(6) 12 29 62 109
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The Blizzard kimberlite is located approximately 9 kilometres southeast of the King Eider kimberlite, while the Jaeger kimberlite lies approximately 10 kilometres northwest of the King Eider kimberlite.
The Blizzard kimberlite is represented by a subtle airborne linear magnetic anomaly which measures up to 50 metres in width and can be traced along strike by its geophysical signature in excess of 9 kilometres. Prospecting in 2003 resulted in the discovery of two kimberlite exposures (in trenches) one kilometre apart. The exposures are described as disaggregated hypabyssal kimberlite with apparent widths of up to 0.30 metres. This +9 kilometre long geophysical feature will be targeted for ground magnetic surveys in areas where the existing geophysical signature indicates greatest widths.
The Jaeger kimberlite is represented by an oblong magnetic anomaly measuring 90 metres by 45 metres. During 2003, this kimberlite was tested by two diamond drill holes (HB03-02 and HB03-03), drilled along a NE-SW section in opposing directions at angles of -75o and -50o respectively. Drill hole HB03-02 intersected a macrocrystic olivine kimberlite containing mantle derived minerals from a down hole depth of 7.20 to 46.44 metres. The intersection included a distinct whitish kimberlite breccia containing up to 80% crustal xenoliths from 32.25 to 38.92 metres. Drill hole HB03-03 intersected a similar macrocrystic olivine kimberlite from a down hole depth of 27.0 to 54.08 metres. A whitish xenolith-rich kimberlite breccia was also encountered in this hole from 39.62 to 48.22 metres. Both holes ended in dolomitized limestone.
Samples from the Sandpiper East kimberlite (within the Galaxy kimberlite trend on the Blue Ice Property) are currently being processed. To date, approximately 200 kilograms of the Sandpiper East sample has been picked for diamonds and approximately 400 additional kilograms are undergoing caustic fusion. All results will be reported when the entire sample has been processed.
All kimberlite drill core was sampled and logged by qualified geoscientists in secure facilities at the field camp. Samples were securely sealed in solid containers and shipped by air to SGS Lakefield 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 17025 standard for specific registered tests. Mr. D. G. Gill, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person for the project.
Diamonds North holds more than seven million acres of prospective land in Canada. The main project areas include Victoria Island, Kidme which is adjacent to De Beers' Gahcho Kué project, and a potential new kimberlite field on the Amaruk property in the eastern arctic. Diamonds North's projects range from early stage target generation to more advanced kimberlite evaluation. Diamonds North explores independently and in joint venture with other diamond exploration companies. Exploration partners include Teck Cominco Limited, SouthernEra Resources Ltd, Majescor Resources Inc. and BHP Billiton Diamonds.
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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