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Paragon Diamonds operational update

4 Sep 2012 10:22

RNS Number : 4410L
Obtala Resources Limited
04 September 2012
 



4 September 2012

Obtala Resources Limited

("Obtala" or the "Company")

(AIM: OBT)

 

Paragon Diamonds operational update, Motete Dyke, Lesotho

 

The Board of Obtala Resources Limited, the natural resources investment and development company, announces the following RNS made by Paragon Diamonds Limited this morning:

 

 

Obtala Resources

Francesco Scolaro - ChairmanSimon Rollason - Managing Director

www.obtalaresources.com

+44 (0) 20 7099 1940

 

Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited

(Nomad and Broker)

Steve Baldwin

+44 (0) 20 3037 2000

Nicholas Harland

 

 

4 September 2012

Paragon Diamonds Limited

("Paragon" or the "Company")

(AIM: PRG)

 

Operational update, Motete Dyke project, Lesotho

 

Paragon Diamonds Limited, the African focused diamond explorer and developer, is pleased to announce an operational update from its Motete Dyke operation in Lesotho.

 

Highlights

 

·; 3rd bulk sample treated - 214 tonnes processed and 130 carats recovered

·; Overall recovered grade of 55 cpht for the Motete Dyke

·; Drilling programme complete - 1,109 metres drilled, kimberlite intersected 13 times

·; Diamonds scheduled for independent valuation

 

Paragon Diamonds Ltd. announces that is has completed its Motete Dyke bulk sampling and drilling programme. These results will be consolidated and published in an upcoming resource statement and scoping study expected shortly.

 

Bulk Sampling

Material from trench T2 in the central portion of the dyke has been processed and grades that are consistent with all previous results recorded. Combined with previous results (Trenches T1 & T3) the overall recovered grade calculates at 55 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht).

 

This recovered grade from the bulk sample plant is as expected when compared to the micro-diamond model, as the current bulk sampling plant is not correctly configured to recover 100% of the present diamonds. A significant number of (especially the smaller) diamonds could not be recovered. Tailings samples are being submitted to DebTec (DeBeers) in Johannesburg for enhanced recovery using "ModRUP" dual wave X-ray recovery, to determine the presence of these additional stones and help optimize future production planning to ensure that the maximum economically viable grade is recovered.

 

The diamonds recovered so far have now been characterized by a specialist from consultants the MSA Group, and are being prepared for export and independent valuations in the near future.

 

Sample MTD-T2 consisted of 214.2 dry tonnes of kimberlite and yielded 130.28 carats of diamonds and 1,933 individual stones for a grade of 50 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht). Overall, 595 dry tonnes of pure kimberlite were treated for the recovery of 329.49 carats. Results are per the table below:

 

MTD-T1

MTD-T2

MTD-T3

Total

Cts

Stns

Cts

Stns

Cts

Stns

Cts

Stns

DTC+15

1.72

3

2.55

2

1.28

1

5.55

6

DTC+13

2.50

4

2.27

3

1.49

2

6.26

9

DTC+11

10.65

32

13.43

39

11.26

33

35.34

104

DTC+9

15.28

84

19.20

100

14.04

77

48.52

261

DTC+7

11.98

105

18.16

148

14.00

119

44.14

372

DTC+5

37.46

590

45.54

690

39.84

628

122.84

1,908

DTC+3

15.16

455

22.66

645

14.61

428

52.43

1,528

DTC+2

3.80

164

4.76

207

2.30

98

10.86

469

DTC+1

1.24

48

1.71

99

0.60

32

3.55

179

Total

99.79

1,485

130.28

1,933

99.42

1,418

329.49

4,836

 

Drilling

The delineation drilling programme at Motete has been completed, and 1,109 metres were drilled in 10 holes. Kimberlite was intersected on 13 occasions, as dual (parallel) dykes were present in three drill holes. A total of 35 metres of kimberlite core was recovered, and the actual horizontal width of the dyke varied between 2.13-1.30 metres with an average width at depth of 1.49 metres. The deepest hole intersected kimberlite at 170 meters below the Motete Valley floor at 2,280 metres above sea level, where the horizontal width was 1.53 metres. Thus the presence of the dyke has been demonstrated over 470 metres of vertical height and it remains open at depth. Survey data from the drilling is being integrated with detailed surface mapping to generate a wire-frame model of the dyke and hence an accurate resource tonnage.

 

The evidence from drilling indicates that the dyke does not taper significantly with depth, maintaining a width well in excess of one metre. As such, the original in-house estimate of 1+ million tonnes to a depth of 100 m below valley floor, and a deposit highly amenable to low-dilution underground mining, appears to be validated.

 

Paragon MD Stephen Grimmer commented: "Following the conclusion of evaluation activities at Motete, we now eagerly await the delivery of the maiden resource statement by the MSA Group and the scoping study in by Paradigm Project Management both of which are currently being prepared. Also, following the recent agreement to project finance the Motete dyke with our local partners in Lesotho we are now well positioned to begin planning and development of a mine at Motete, once the outstanding tasks have been successfully completed."

 

In accordance with the AIM Rules, the information in this announcement has been reviewed by Stephen Grimmer PhD., MSc., a qualified geologist with 25 years' diamond exploration experience.

 

For further information:

 

Paragon Diamonds Limited

Francesco Scolaro - Chairman

Simon Retter - Finance Director

www.paragondiamonds.com

+44 (0) 20 7099 1940

 

Fox-Davies Capital Ltd (Nomad and Broker)

Jonathan Evans

Simon Leathers

+44 (0) 20 3463 5010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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