Name of the Project
Thorny River diamond dyke project.

Location
The project is a consolidation of the Frischgewaagt, Hartbeesfontein and Doornrivier properties, in Limpopo, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Botswana Diamonds.

Project Description
Thorny River comprises the eastern extension of the kimberlite dyke and/or pipe systems on which the Klipspringer and Marsfontein mines are located, both of which have been economically mined.

The project has a modelled in situ-grade range of 46 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht) to 74 cpht and a diamond value range of $120/ct to $220/ct.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start /End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
A recent drilling programme targeting 0.4 ha at Botswana Diamonds’ Thorny River project has led to the discovery of a new kimberlite blow, which is a small volcanic pipe.

Botswana Diamonds chairperson John Teeling has said that the discovery is “very significant”, as the nearby Marsfontein (0.4 ha) and Sugarbird (0.5 ha) blows have been “extremely profitable” diamond-producing operations.

“We are moving forward with a programme to define the extent of this new resource, particularly as the diamond grades are known to be consistent across the whole area.”

Six holes were drilled in the Thorny River area. A combined 39.5 m intersected kimberlite, while an additional 55 m intersected a weathered kimberlite breccia.

The best hole contained a down-the-hole (at 45o dip) intersection of kimberlite and kimberlite breccia of 19 m. The kimberlite and kimberlite breccia are being analysed for diamonds and indicators.

Following the blow discovery, Botswana Diamonds has enough data to build a preliminary three-dimensional model of the resource and estimate kimberlite volumes. Going forward, the company will perform core drilling to confirm the precise geology and kimberlite profile.
 
Drilling on the Marsfontein targets discovered no additional extensions to the M8 kimberlite.

The focus on this property will be on the diamondiferous alluvial deposits confirmed by Botswana Diamonds’ recent geophysics programme and by SamCode Standards Committee chairperson Professor Tania Marshall – a recognised expert in the geology and assessment of diamondiferous alluvial deposits.

A further five targets will be drilled in the Thorny River area in the near future.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Botswana Diamonds, tel +353 1 833 2833/+353 1 833 2833, fax +353 1 833 3505 or email info@botswanadiamonds.co.uk.