Last checked at 5 Apr 2011 07:00
Botswana Diamonds plc
("Botswana Diamonds" or "BOD")
Bulk Sampling Begins in Orapa
v All permits obtained with staff on site to begin the bulk sampling of the BK5 kimberlite in Orapa Botswana
v Site clearing and earthmoving of the stockpile has begun
v A total of 5,500 tonnes of material will be moved by the end of May
v Processing plant is being commissioned
v The BK5 work should be completed by early July after which processing AK8 will begin
The board of Botswana Diamonds (AIM: BOD) is pleased to announce that work has commenced on the bulk sampling of the BK5 diamondiferous kimberlite in Orapa, Botswana. The purpose of the bulk sample is to enable the estimation of a value per tonne of ore in the ground. A total of 5,500 tonnes will be collected from BK5 and processed through a refurbished ten tonne an hour plant. First material will flow through the plant on April 11th. Processing of the BK5 material will continue until early July after which activity will switch to the AK8 kimberlite where a 1,000 tonne bulk sample will be processed.
Botswana is the best diamond address in the world, being the world's biggest producer by value. The Orapa province has five producing diamond mines, Orapa itself the world's biggest, Damtshaa, Lethlakane, BK11 and the new AK6 mine. Botswana Diamonds holds three prospecting licences in the area, on which diamondiferous kimberlites have been found. Three in particular, AK8, AK9 and BK5 are of particular interest. Earlier work has demonstrated that BK5 and AK8 contain diamonds and are of a size which could enable commercial development. The current phase of work is to estimate the value of ore in the ground. This will be compared to estimated operating costs of a standalone mine or a satellite supplier operation.
John Teeling, Chairman, commented:
"This is a critical stage in the evaluation of the BK5 and AK8 kimberlites for commercial exploration. Once we establish the value per tonne of the kimberlite ore we can look at commercial options. While the size of the pipes is positive, the overall grade is marginal. The quality of the diamonds, which will be reflected in the price per carat, is a critical factor. Results will emerge from May onward."
This release has been approved by Andre Fourie, Hons BSc (Geology), who is a registered professional geologist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. Mr Fourie is the Technical Director of Botswana Diamonds and has over 13 years of experience in diamond exploration and mineral resource management.
Enquiries:
Botswana Diamonds PLC
John Teeling, Chairman +353 1 833 2833
Andre Fourie +27 (83) 463 2455
finnCap - Nominated Adviser & Broker
Matthew Robinson +44 (0) 20 7600 1658
Henrik Persson
College Hill
Nick Elwes +44(0) 20 7457 2020
www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk