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Operations Update

4 Dec 2014 12:56

PARAGON DIAMONDS LTD - Operations Update

PARAGON DIAMONDS LTD - Operations Update

PR Newswire

London, December 4

Paragon Diamonds Limited / Index: AIM / Epic: PRG / Sector: Resources 4 December 2014 Paragon Diamonds Limited ("Paragon" or the "Company") Drilling Highlights Potential for Increase in Kimberlite Tonnage at Lemphane Pipe, Lesotho Paragon Diamonds Limited, the AIM quoted diamond development company, ispleased to announce a recently completed drilling programme at its flagshipLemphane Kimberlite Project in Lesotho (`Lemphane' or `the Project') hasdemonstrated the potential for a further increase in the Project's presenttonnage estimate of 48Mt of kimberlite. The results could have positiveimplications for the economics and life of mine at Lemphane, which is locatedamong a cluster of kimberlites known for producing large, high value diamondsand where Stage 1 production is due to commence in Q1 2015 (subject tofinancing). This will involve the extraction of 1 million tonnes of kimberliteover a two year period which, according to an independent report, is expectedto lead to the recovery of over 100 diamonds larger than 9 carats, includingstones over 100 carats in size. Between August and October 2014, Paragon's 80% owned subsidiary, Meso Diamonds,carried out the latest drilling programme at Lemphane which consisted of nineholes totalling 1,248m. Four of the holes were planned to intersect the outercontact of the kimberlite at depths between 150-200m below surface. All holesachieved their objective of delineating the shape of the upper kimberlite inmore detail, as well as better defining the boundary between the smaller,lower-grade northern portion, and the higher-grade, larger diamond sizesouthern portion, as well as demonstrating the continuation of the higher gradesatellite pipe to at least 150m in depth. In addition, two holes demonstratedthat the eastern contact of the kimberlite is vertical to at least 150m indepth, and that the Lemphane kimberlite therefore has the potential to host ahigher tonnage than previously believed. As such the geological modelling, which is ongoing, will be based on a detailedmapped surface perimeter of the kimberlite (300m x 250m or 6 hectares insurface area), on four wall rock contact intersections in the near surface(150-200m depth), on eight wall rock contact intersections at between 200-300mdepth and on four intersections below 300m. The drill results have been integrated into the in-house 3D geological model,and interrogation of that model demonstrates the maximum dimensions of thekimberlite at 100m depth (2,500m ASL level) are 295m x 215m, at 200m depth(2,400m ASL) are 275m x 195m and at 300m depth (2,300m ASL) are 260m x 150m.These intervals correspond to approximately the 5 year, 10 year and 15 yearopen pit envelope of circa 15Mt, 30Mt and 45Mt of kimberlite respectively. Thekimberlite maintains a planar sectional area in excess of circa 3 hectares at350m below surface (2,250m ASL) and is open at depth below that. Two outcomes from this latest drilling programme are that an improvement in theoverall kimberlite tonnage to a given depth can be expected, and a reduction inthe overall waste:ore (stripping) ratio to a given depth is anticipated,compared to the 2012 Scoping Study. Drilling was undertaken by Rodio Geotechnical Services which has previouslyundertaken drilling for the Company at Lemphane, and is the main drillingcontractor at the nearby Letšeng Diamond Mine. On completion of this latestround of drilling, Rodio has agreed, at no charge to Paragon, to station adrill rig at the Lemphane project site to cover future drilling needs in 2015.It is intended to drill a final series of eight holes for approximately 1,600mto confirm the dimensions of the kimberlite at between 200-300m depth belowsurface, as well as undertaking geotechnical drilling for the purposes oftailings storage facility and open pit construction at Lemphane. Paragon's Stephen Grimmer said, "The drilling results are entirely positive andbetter than previously anticipated by the Company. I am particularly pleasedthat they show the kimberlite at Lemphane is larger at depth than previouslyassumed which has positive implications for the overall tonnage and a reducedwaste:ore ratio and indeed the economics of Lemphane as a high value/ largestone diamond project. I look forward to seeing these results beingincorporated into the planned Pre-Feasibility study to be conducted in tandemwith Stage 1 production, which, subject to financing, is planned to commence inQ1 2015 as Lemphane's potential as the next world class kimberlite in Lesothocontinues to increase." In accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies, the information in thisannouncement has been reviewed by Stephen Grimmer PhD., MSc., a qualifiedgeologist with over 25 years diamond exploration experience. **ENDS** For further information please visit www.paragondiamonds.com or contact: Philip Falzon Sant Paragon Diamonds Limited +44 (0) 20 7182 1920ManducaSimon Retter Paragon Diamonds Limited +44 (0) 20 7182 1920 Edward Hutton/Gerry Northland Capital Partners +44 (0) 20 7382 1100Beaney Limited (Nominated Adviser)John Howes/Charles Northland Capital Partners +44 (0) 20 7382 1100Laughton Limited (Sales and broking) Felicity Winkles St Brides Media and Finance Ltd +44 (0) 20 7236 1177Frank Buhagiar St Brides Media and Finance Ltd +44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Notes Paragon Diamonds has a pipeline of projects in Lesotho, Botswana and Zambia,the most advanced of which is its Lemphane Kimberlite Pipe Project in Lesotho,located close to the world class Letšeng mine, Lesotho's largest diamond mine.Lemphane is the last known potentially economic kimberlite to be developed inLesotho. Among the stones recovered in the Company's 2013 bulk samplingprogramme were several large high value stones of up 8.9 carats in size andindividual diamond values in excess of US$2,400/ct have been achieved,highlighting the potential for Lemphane to hold large and valuable diamonds.The first of a two stage production programme is currently expected to commenceQ1 2015 (subject to financing) which will further define the resource atLemphane. As increased tonnages of kimberlite are processed the proportion oflarger diamonds recovered is expected to improve, increasing the average valueof diamonds recovered at the project, as was the case at Letšeng. Stage 1 production will cover a two year period during which approximately 1 Mtof kimberlite will be mined and processed out of the currently estimated 48.6Mtof kimberlite (to 350m depth) at the site, using a 75 tonne per hour processingplant. The Company is targeting 20,000 carats during Stage 1 production with anestimated minimum value of US$930 per carat that is expected to generaterevenues in excess of US$9m per annum. Cash flow will be reinvested to furtherdevelop Lemphane and complete a bankable feasibility study, a 3D geologicalmodel and a substantial inferred resource ahead of commencing the Stage 2production phase. Stage 2 will see production ramped up to 3Mt/year with peakproduction expected to hit 65,000 carats per year of high value diamonds. It is the intention of the Company to become a fully integrated diamond companymaximizing the margins gained from being exposed from the mining to selling ofdiamonds.
Date   Source Headline
25th Mar 20138:00 amRNSDirectorate Change
6th Mar 20137:00 amRNSLemphane, Operational update
31st Jan 20137:40 amRNSLemphane operational update
14th Jan 20137:00 amRNSScoping study and drilling contracts
8th Jan 20137:00 amRNSMemorandum of Understanding
19th Dec 20128:46 amRNSDirectorate Change
3rd Dec 201212:36 pmRNSOperational Update
25th Sep 20127:00 amRNSDirectorate Change
19th Sep 20127:00 amRNSHalf Yearly Report
4th Sep 20127:00 amRNSOperational Update - Motete Dyke
28th Aug 20127:00 amRNSMotete update
24th Jul 20127:00 amRNSFurther Bulk Sample Results, Motete Dyke project
9th Jul 201212:11 pmRNSResult of AGM
4th Jul 20128:47 amRNSPreliminary Bulk Sample Results
8th Jun 201210:49 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
7th Jun 20121:39 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
6th Jun 201211:08 amRNSLicence Extension Awarded
1st Jun 20127:00 amRNSAnnual Financial Report
31st May 201210:28 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
26th Apr 20127:00 amRNSAcquisition of remaining interest in IDC
13th Apr 20127:00 amRNSOperational Update at Motete Dyke
12th Apr 20122:38 pmRNSOperational Update
11th Apr 20127:00 amRNSFurther bulk sampling results from Lemphane
29th Mar 20127:00 amRNSCompletion of Micro-Diamond Recovery at Motete
26th Mar 20127:00 amRNSLaunch of website
19th Mar 201210:54 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
15th Mar 201210:55 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
1st Mar 20127:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
24th Feb 20127:00 amRNSNew Exploration Targets Identified in Lesotho
16th Feb 20127:00 amRNSFirst Large Diamonds Recovered from Lemphane
7th Feb 20127:00 amRNSFurther positive micro-diamond results from Motete
26th Jan 201212:25 pmRNSFundraising and Issue of Equity
18th Jan 20128:45 amRNSDirectorate Change
16th Jan 20127:00 amRNSDiamond grade and volumetric estimate at Motete
9th Jan 20127:00 amRNSFurther results from large micro-diamond sample
4th Jan 20127:00 amRNSPositive results from first micro-diamond sample
7th Dec 20117:00 amRNSAppointment of Nominated Adviser
1st Dec 20117:00 amRNSAward of License
7th Nov 20117:00 amRNSCommencement of bulk sampling at Lemphane, Lesotho
27th Sep 20117:00 amRNSInterim Results
31st Aug 20112:44 pmRNSUpdate on Operations and Exploration
29th Jul 20113:44 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
26th Jul 20111:47 pmRNSDiamond and Gold Sale
26th Jul 201110:46 amRNSAward of Licence
14th Jul 20117:00 amRNSMineral Chemistry Results
21st Jun 201111:57 amRNSStatement re Further Directorate Change
21st Jun 20117:00 amRNSDirectorate Change
18th May 20117:00 amRNSCompletion of acquisiton of IDC
12th May 201111:29 amRNSResult of AGM
11th May 201111:48 amRNSDirector Shareholding

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