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
Diamond exploration and project development company 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
Botswana Diamonds has recovered 11 diamonds and abundant kimberlitic indicators from drill samples at the recently discovered River Kimberlite pipe at Thorny River. Importantly, all the samples contain abundant kimberlitic indicators, Botswana Diamonds has noted.

Following a detailed ground geophysical programme in October 2020, six-inch percussion reverse-circulation holes were drilled into the newly discovered River Kimberlite pipe during November 2020.

A combined 39.5 m intersected kimberlite, while an additional 55 m intersected a weathered kimberlite breccia.

Samples from these holes were taken at 1 m intervals and 20 of these, totalling about 500 kg, were selected and submitted to an independent processing facility for assessment through screening, dense-media separation and hand sorting.

The diamonds are all of good colour, clarity and commercial quality, and in high demand by the market, Botswana Diamonds has said.

The next step is a detailed core drilling programme which is planned for the dry season.

Chairperson John Teeling has said that “the recovery of so many kimberlitic indicators, and in particular diamonds, which are very rare to recover in small-sample, narrow reverse-circulation drill holes, is highly encouraging and bodes well for the potential commerciality of this exciting discovery”. 

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.