Last checked at 
(Alliance News) - Diamond explorer company Botswana Diamonds PLC on Wednesday commenced drilling in what it believes to be the prolific project areas of Thorny River and Marsfontein in South Africa.
The multi-hole drilling programme began drilling on four target areas which it identified as high interest in a recent detailed ground geophysics survey. These target areas include a potential kimberlite blow of up to 0.25 hectares in extent and other expansions in the widths of the dyke system of up to 10 metres.
Marsfontein has in the past produced the most widely known blow, which was 0.4Ha. When mined by De Beers, which is part of Anglo American PLC and SouthernEra, it achieved a return of development capital in under four days. The dyke system, which extends for 18 kilometres over Thorny River from Klipspringer Mine in the west through Marsfontein to Doornrivier in the east, has been demonstrated consistent geology and economics.
The ground geophysics and drilling programmes are focusing on identifying kimberlite volumes to support further development of the property.
Shares in Botswana Diamonds were up 5.2% at 0.82 pence in London on Wednesday.
By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
