JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The final bulk sample grade at Aim-listed diamond development company Stellar Diamonds’ Tongo kimberlite project, in Sierra Leone, has exceeded 178 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht), a 49% increase on the 120 cpht applied in the current resource estimate of 1.1-million carats.
Stellar CE Karl Smithson noted in a statement on Tuesday that the company had achieved its objective of collecting a further 1 000 ct parcel for the diamond grade and valuation modelling of Tongo dyke 1 as part of the project’s ongoing feasibility work.
“Tongo continues to generate excellent results, further underpinning the economic potential of this kimberlite diamond project. It is highly encouraging to note the substantial increase in grade to 179 cpht, which has resulted from reprocessing the tailings material,” he said.
During the dyke 1 bulk sampling process, a total of 1 621 t of diluted kimberlite and granite was collected from the bulk sample trench. A total of 661.47 t of kimberlite had been processed, having yielded 1 181.78 ct of diamonds.
The diamond parcel, which included 53 diamonds larger than 1 ct, with the two largest stones being 6.7 ct and 4.6 ct, would now undergo valuation and modelling, with the results expected by early September, Smithson said, adding that the company would then aim to issue a revised financial model and updated resource statement shortly thereafter.
The company stated that the revised resource statement, which was targeted for October, was expected to show an increase from the current 1.1-million carat resource estimate.
EBOLA
Meanwhile, Stellar stated that it “noted with concern” the escalation of the Ebola virus in West Africa.
Therefore, as bulk sampling had been completed and it was now the height of the rainy season in Sierra Leone, the company had taken the decision to pause the Tongo work programme and reduce the presence of staff on the project pending results from the current studies.
The company added that personnel who remained on site were subject to ongoing and stringent daily health checks, controls and travel restrictions.