Botswana Diamonds PLC
("Botswana Diamonds" or the "Company")
Drilling commenced on the Ontevreden Kimberlite Pipe
The board of Botswana Diamonds (AIM: BOD) are pleased to provide an update on the Ontevreden kimberlite pipe, which is part of the Company's Vutomi Joint Venture in South Africa.
Highlights:
· Initial five hole drilling programme has commenced on the Ontevreden kimberlite pipe to ascertain diamond content; and
· The kimberlite contains abundant key diamond indicators, typically seen in high-grade kimberlite pipes.
John Teeling, Chairman, commented, "We are pleased to announce the commencement of drilling at the Ontevreden kimberlite pipe. We know that the pipe contains significant quantities of G10 and G9 garnets - high quality diamond indicator minerals frequently found in high-grade kimberlite pipes. The drilling is to discover diamonds."
Ontevreden
Following the discovery of a kimberlite pipe at Ontevreden in July 2017, work was undertaken to ascertain the potential for the pipe to be diamondiferous. Results from ground samples taken from the pipe were analysed and produced abundant G9, G10, and complimentary eclogitic garnets in a mix typically associated with high-grade kimberlites. Rock geochemistry undertaken by the Council for Geosciences categorised Ontevreden as a Group 2 kimberlite. Detailed ground geophysics has also been undertaken and this identified a minimum surface pipe surface area of 100m x 70m. The drilling operations will confirm the size, provide an understanding of the internal geology and enough samples to enable both petrography and microdiamond analyses.
The Ontevreden kimberlite pipe is close to Petra Diamonds' now mothballed Helam Mine, which yielded a grade of 267cpht and a diamond value of US$145/ct at a +1mm bottom cut off (2014 data).
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 |
|
John Teeling, Chairman |
+353 1 833 2833 |
James Campbell, Managing Director |
+27 83 457 3724 |
Jim Finn, Director |
|
Northland Capital Partners Limited |
|
David Hignell/Gerry Beaney (Corporate Finance) |
+44 (0) 203 861 6625 |
John Howes (Broking) |
|
SVS Securities Plc |
+44 (0) 203 700 0100 |
Tom Curran |
|
Ben Tadd |
|
Blytheweigh |
+44 (0) 207 138 3204 |
Camilla Horsfall |
+44 (0) 781 784 1793 |
Nick Elwes |
+44 (0) 783 185 1855 |
Teneo PSG |
|
Luke Hogg |
+353 (0) 1 661 4055 |
Alan Tyrrell |
+353 (0) 1 661 4055 |
www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk
