The next focusIR Investor Webinar takes places on 14th May with guest speakers from Blue Whale Growth Fund, Taseko Mines, Kavango Resources and CQS Natural Resources fund. Please register here.

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksStellar Diamonds Regulatory News (STEL)

  • There is currently no data for STEL

Watchlists are a member only feature

Login to your account

Alerts are a premium feature

Login to your account

Large Diamonds Recovered from Trial Mining, Baoule

21 Oct 2014 07:00

RNS Number : 8071U
Stellar Diamonds PLC
21 October 2014
 



 

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO US NEWS WIRE SERVICES.

 

21 October 2014

AIM: STEL

Stellar Diamonds plc

("Stellar" or the "Company")

 

Large Diamonds Recovered from Trial Mining at Baoulé Kimberlite, Guinea

 

Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed (AIM: STEL) diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces results from the trial mining production of the five hectare Baoulé kimberlite pipe in Guinea ("Baoulé").

 

Highlights:

· 196 carats recovered to date from kimberlite ore at an average grade of 17cpht (+1.25mm cut-off) exceeding minimum grade expectation of 13cpht

· Gems of 5.5 (octahedron), 5.1 (octahedron), 3.0, 1.9, 1.5, 1.3 and 1.2 carats recovered

· Over 50% of diamonds recovered classified as gem quality

· Trial mining is expected to generate cash flow from first diamond sale targeted before YE 2014

· Mine plant functioning well, with steady increase in tonnes of ore processed

 

Stellar Diamonds Chief Executive Karl Smithson commented:

"Processing of the first kimberlite ore from trial mining at the Baoulé pipe is delivering excellent results. Not only is the grade exceeding our minimum expectations but the recovery of three five carat diamonds, two of which are of excellent gem quality and shape, from a 196 carat diamond parcel is outstanding news. We believe that this suggests that Baoulé has a large stone size distribution which would be consistent with our expectations, knowing that the Aredor area of Guinea has produced some spectacular stones over many years. The processing plant, which was commissioned in September, is working well and we will now increase volume throughput over the coming weeks. It is our intention to make a diamond export in November and thus begin our cycle of exports and sales for the duration of the trial mining period."

 

Trial Mining

Following on from successful plant commissioning in September 2014, the processing of the first kimberlite sample from Baoulé has been completed as part of the scale up to trial mining. A carefully measured kimberlite sample was collected from a trench with dimensions of 24m x 16m x 3m. A number of representative samples of this kimberlite were selected for specific gravity and moisture content measurements. On this basis, the calculated wet and dry tonnages of this sample were 1,802t and 1,164t respectively. Processing of this kimberlite has been completed, with current throughput of approximately 50 wet tonnes per hour being achieved.

 

Diamond Results

A total of 195.57 carats were recovered at a +1.25mm cut off, giving a grade of 16.8cpht. This compares favourably with the historically reported +1mm grade of 13.2cpht. Including the 33.2 carats recovered from commissioning of the plant with lower grade material, a total of 228.77 carats have been recovered to date.

 

Encouragingly a number of larger diamonds were recovered from this relatively small sample, including two octahedral gem diamonds weighing over five carats each. A third five carat diamond was also recovered, though this is of lower quality. The Directors believe the presence of these five carat diamonds, plus a number of other diamonds greater than one carat in size, could suggest that the Baoulé Pipe has a large stone size distribution. Gem diamonds represent approximately 57% of the diamond population recovered, with 43% being classified as industrial or near gem.

 

Further analysis of these results will be undertaken to further quantify and model these results as trial mining continues.

 

Sample

Diluted Dry Tons

Carats

+1.25mm Grade (cpht)

Number of Diamonds

Average Stone Size/carat

Diamonds greater than

1-carat

Gem Diamonds greater than 1-carat

Non-Gem Diamonds greater than 1-carat

Commissioning (diluted material)

302

33.2

11.0

204

0.16

2

1.4ct

3.8ct

Kimberlite

1,164

195.57

16.8

1,327

0.15

15

5.5ct, 5.1ct, 3.0ct, 1.9ct,

1.3ct, 1.2ct

5.97ct, 2.3ct, 2.2ct, 1.6ct, 1.6ct, 1.3ct, 1.1ct, 1.0ct

Totals

1,466

228.77

15.6

1,531

0.15

17

 

Ebola Update

Operations are continuing but conditions are being closely monitored at Baoulé. The Company has been at the forefront of elevating awareness amongst the workforce and the surrounding local communities and civic leaders of the threat of Ebola and its prevention. Increased levels of sanitation and health screening have been established at the camp and project sites and are being rolled out to the homes of the Company's employees. Restrictions on staff travel are also implemented and a total ban on travel to the epicenters of the Ebola virus in Guinea is in place. The Company continues to monitor the situation very closely to ensure the continued well-being of all employees and that of the local communities.

 

About Stellar Diamonds plc

Stellar is an AIM quoted (AIM: STEL) West African focused diamond development company which has commenced trial mining of its Baoulé kimberlite in Guinea, and is progressing the 1.1 million carat Tongo Dyke-1 resource in Sierra Leone through a definitive feasibility study. In addition, Stellar holds the 3 million carat Droujba project in Guinea and continues to pursue both diplomatic and legal channels to ensure the proper reinstatement of its Kono licences in Sierra Leone.

 

** ENDS **

 

For further information contact the following or visit the Company's website at www.stellar-diamonds.com.

 

Karl Smithson, CEO

Philip Knowles, CFO

Stellar Diamonds plc

Stellar Diamonds plc

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7010 7686

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7010 7686

Emma Earl

Colin Rowbury

Daniel Stewart & Company plc (Nomad/Broker)

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 6550

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 6550

Hugo De Salis

St Brides Media & Finance Ltd

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236 1177

Lottie Brocklehurst

(Financial PR)

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236 1177

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
MSCMMBFTMBMTBII
Date   Source Headline
27th Apr 20187:30 amRNSSuspension - Stellar Diamonds Plc
26th Apr 20184:58 pmRNSScheme of Arrangement becomes Effective
25th Apr 20181:21 pmRNSCourt Sanction of Scheme of Arrangement
19th Apr 20183:36 pmRNSResult of Court Meeting and GM
12th Apr 201811:17 amRNSUpdate re NWF
12th Apr 20189:58 amRNSRule 2.9 Announcement
11th Apr 201810:35 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
9th Apr 20188:25 amRNSForm 8 (DD) - Stellar Diamonds plc
9th Apr 20188:25 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
5th Apr 20185:11 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
5th Apr 20184:54 pmRNSForm 8 (DD) - Stellar Diamonds plc
4th Apr 201811:45 amRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
3rd Apr 20181:00 pmRNSUpdate to Scheme Timetable
29th Mar 201810:58 amRNSResult of AGM
28th Mar 20181:15 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds Plc
28th Mar 201811:45 amRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
27th Mar 201811:45 amRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
26th Mar 20184:35 pmRNSPosting of Scheme Circular
23rd Mar 201812:00 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds plc
23rd Mar 201812:00 pmRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
23rd Mar 201810:02 amRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds plc
22nd Mar 201812:00 pmRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
21st Mar 201812:00 pmRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
20th Mar 201812:00 pmRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
20th Mar 20188:27 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
20th Mar 20188:22 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
19th Mar 20185:56 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds PLC
19th Mar 201812:19 pmRNSIrrevocable Undertakings
16th Mar 20187:00 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
16th Mar 20187:00 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
12th Mar 20187:00 amRNSNotice of AGM
12th Mar 20187:00 amRNSOffer for Stellar Diamonds plc
5th Mar 20187:00 amRNSInterim Results
2nd Mar 201811:49 amRNSStatement re broker
2nd Mar 20187:00 amRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds PLC
1st Mar 20187:00 amRNSCompletion of Tribute Mining Agreement
28th Feb 20184:40 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds plc
28th Feb 20187:00 amRNSStatement re. Rule 2.6 Extension
26th Feb 20184:34 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Daimonds PLC
26th Feb 20184:23 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds PLC
26th Feb 20181:52 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds plc
26th Feb 201810:11 amRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds Plc
20th Feb 20187:00 amRNSCommencement of FEED for Tongo-Tonguma Project
16th Feb 20189:19 amRNSReplacement: Form 8 (OPD) Stellar Diamonds Plc
15th Feb 20184:22 pmRNSForm 8.3 - Stellar Diamonds Plc
15th Feb 201811:58 amRNSForm 8 (OPD) Stellar Diamonds Plc
15th Feb 20189:22 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
15th Feb 20189:21 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
15th Feb 20189:21 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd
15th Feb 20189:21 amRNSForm 8.3 - Newfield Resources Ltd

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.