Last checked at 11 Jul 2018 09:20
11 July 2018
Botswana Diamonds PLC
("Botswana Diamonds", "BOD" or the "Company")
Kalahari Desert Exploration Update
Botswana Diamonds (AIM: BOD) is pleased to provide an update on the Company's Sunland Minerals exploration projects in Botswana. Sunland Minerals is a JV with Alrosa and BOD is the operator.
Headlines:
· All 8 anomalies sampled in the Kalahari reported good (KIMs), kimberlitic indicator minerals.
· The grains include fresh chrome diopsides and olivines suggesting a local source.
Mineral sampling over the 8 previously discovered and announced high contrast geophysical anomalies in the Gope Region of the Kalahari Desert is completed. A total of 267 kimberlitic indicator minerals ("KIMs") were discovered. All 8 anomalies had KIMs. The KIMs included 41 garnets, 13 chromites, 139 ilmenites, 4 chrome diopsides and 70 olivines. An analysis of the grains by Remote Exploration Services of Cape Town concluded that the sources were likely to be local due to the abundance, size and fresh surface textures of the KIMs. The next step, currently in process, is to prove the mineral chemistry of the grains to determine the diamond bearing potential.
Kimberlitic indicators from the mineral sampling are presented in Figure 1 below:
Figure 1
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2876U_1-2018-7-11.pdf
John Teeling, Chairman, commented: "The first Sunland exploration programme undertaken by BOD geologists has been successful. Sunland is a joint venture with Alrosa with BOD becoming operators in early 2018. 8 anomalies were sampled and encouraging quantities of KIMs were found in all 8. We are pleased by this rare occurrence for three reasons. Firstly, the abundance of a variety of kimberlitic minerals; secondly, the presence of olivines and chrome diopsides which are minerals which do not travel far in the weathering environment and finally the surface texture work indicates a local source. Our next step forward is to analyse the diamond bearing capacity before we proceed to plan for a drilling campaign. I look forward to providing our shareholders with further updates in due course".
This release has been approved by James Campbell, Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds plc, a qualified geologist (Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining with over 32-years' experience in the diamond sector.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014.
ENDS
Enquiries:
Botswana Diamonds PLC |
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John Teeling, Chairman | +353 1 833 2833 |
James Campbell, Managing Director | +27 83 457 3724 |
Jim Finn, Director |
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Northland Capital Partners Limited |
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David Hignell/Dugald J Carlean (Corporate Finance) | +44 (0) 203 861 6625 |
John Howes (Broking) |
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SVS Securities Plc | +44 (0) 203 700 0100 |
Tom Curran |
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Ben Tadd |
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Blytheweigh | +44 (0) 207 138 3204 |
Tim Blythe | +44 (0) 7816 924 626 |
Simon Woods | +44 (0) 7466 439 633 |
Teneo PSG |
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Luke Hogg | +353 (0) 1 661 4055 |
Alan Tyrrell | +353 (0) 1 661 4055 |
www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk