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
Botswana Diamonds has started drilling at its Thorny River and Marsfontein project areas, in South Africa.
The multihole drilling programme has begun on four target areas identified as being of high interest in a recent detailed ground geophysics survey.
These target areas include a potential kimberlite blow of up to 0.25 ha, and other expansions in the widths (or swells) of the dyke system of up to 10 m (as opposed to the average 1 m).
The most widely known blow in the project area is Marsfontein, which is 0.4 ha.
Marsfontein was previously mined by De Beers and SouthernEra and it achieved a return on development capital in under four days.
The dyke system, which extends for 18 km over Thorny River, from Klipspringer mine in the west through Marsfontein to Doornrivier in the east, has been demonstrated as having consistent geology and economics.
The ground geophysics and drilling programmes are focused on identifying kimberlite volumes to support further development of the property.
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.