First results of JV exploration programme
Alrosa Identifies Targets with High Potential to be new Kimberlite Discoveries.
Botswana Diamonds plc ("Botswana Diamonds") (AIM: BOD) announces the first results of its joint venture exploration programme on PL117/2011 in the Orapa region of Botswana. The joint venture company, Sunland Minerals, is owned 50/50 between Botswana Diamonds and Alrosa.
· First phase of analysis by Alrosa, on behalf of Sunland Minerals, of data collected on PL117 in Orapa completed.
· Targets identified.
· Two specific targets AN117/1 and AN117/2 have been identified in the northern part of the block.
· The Alrosa technology identifies these targets as having high potential to be new kimberlite discoveries.
· AN117/2 which has been identified using geophysical data is scheduled to be drilled in September of this year.
· AN117/1 identified by mineralogical analysis will be further defined by a 300x300m Transient Electromagnetic Method (TEM) survey, with a view that it will be progressed towards drilling.
· Three further anomalies AN1, AN2 and AN4 need further work to define drill targets.
· The new targets are different from the already known AK10 kimberlite in that they do not have a wide near surface expression as the kimberlites may not have blown their way to surface through the overlaying rocks.
John Teeling, Chairman, commented; "We have identified a number of new targets on PL117 which are in an area known to be prospective for diamond bearing kimberlites. One, AN117/2 will be drilled in September this year while at the same time further work will be undertaken to identify the exact drill site for AN117/1. Three further anomalies have been identified which are highly promising and will be defined in the coming months.
"This is what we hoped from the collaboration with Alrosa. New eyes, new ideas and new techniques bringing a fresh approach to exploring the best diamond region in the world."
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This release has been approved by Benjamin Mosigi, MSc (Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology), who is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa.
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Enquiries:
Botswana Diamonds PLC |
|
John Teeling, Chairman |
+353 1 833 2833 |
Jim Finn, Director |
|
Westhouse Securities Limited |
|
Richard Baty |
+44 (0) 20 7601 6100 |
Hugo Rubinstein |
|
Dowgate Captial Stockbrokers Limited |
|
Jason Robertson |
+44 (0) 129 351 7744 |
African Alliance Botswana Securities |
|
Kabelo Mohohlo |
+267 364 3954 |
Oratile Leburu |
+267 364 3977 |
Blytheweigh |
+44 (0) 20 7138 3204 |
Tim Blythe |
+44 (0) 7816 924 626 |
Halimah Hussain |
+44 (0) 7725 978 141 |
Camilla Horsfall |
+44 (0) 7817 841 793 |
Pembroke Communications |
|
Natalie Tennyson |
+353 1 649 6486 |
Alan Tyrrell |
+353 1 649 6486 |
www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk
