- The partially evaluated
Orion North kimberlites (K147/K148, K120 and K220) are estimated to contain more than 500 million tonnes of diamond bearing kimberlite (News ReleaseMar 06, 2014 ). - Initial diamond parcels recovered from large diameter drill ("LDD)") samples from
Orion North kimberlites K120, K147/K148, all contain diamonds over one carat, including two high value stones of 7.50 and 6.88 carats, respectively. The presence of these large, high-quality diamonds points to the potential for coarse diamond size frequency distributions for the Orion North kimberlites. - The Orion North kimberlites have significantly elevated proportions of Type IIa diamonds, particularly K147/K148, which has 52 percent Type IIa diamonds in the size range from 0.05 to 7.00 carats.
- Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. ("RTEC") conducted extensive exploration work between 2017 and 2022 to prioritize the Fort à
la Corne kimberlites outside of Star and Orion South. This work, using the latest exploration techniques, enabled them to conclude thatOrion North is the target for further exploration and evaluation.
The Target for Further Exploration ("TFFE") estimated for the significant economic kimberlite units with
Table 1. TFFE Summary Table for
Kimberlite Body | Range of Tonnes1 | Range of Grade2 | Range of Carats3 |
170,749 – 198,723 | 5.27 – 10.94 | 9,732 – 20,209 | |
340,421 – 410,302 | 2.75 – 8.37 | 15,740 – 30,241 | |
Total | 511,170 – 609,025 | 25,472 – 50,450 |
1 The range of tonnes is based on the standard deviation of the specific gravity measurements for each kimberlite body and lithologic unit. |
2 Range of grades reflects the lowest and highest grades from all the lithologic units within each kimberlite body. |
3 Kimberlite carat ranges are a summation of the low and high ranges of carats for all the lithologic units in each kimberlite body. |
The TFFE has been calculated using macrodiamond results from existing LDD holes and incorporates the average LDD grade adjustment factors used in previous evaluations of the Star and Orion South Kimberlites. The TFFE calculation procedures were found to reproduce the existing Star and Orion South Resource models to well within the variance envelope of the underlying data sets and the errors inherent in the estimation procedures employed. The details of the evaluation data for the kimberlites included in the TFFE are included in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Drilling Statistics for Kimberlites included in the TFFE
Kimberlite Body
| Area | Core Holes | Total Core | SG1 (#) | #LDD2 (#) | LDD3 | LDD4 Carats |
K120 | 105 | 50 | 12,345 | 468 | 15 | 5,190 | 296 |
K147/K148, K220 | 320 | 181 | 40,029 | 1,051 | 15 | 4,986 | 171 |
1 Number of specific gravity measurements for each kimberlite body. |
2 Number of large diameter drill holes (LDD) used in TFFE for each kimberlite body. |
3 Total LDD tonnes from all lithological units from each kimberlite body used in TFFE. |
4 Total LDD carats from all lithological units from each kimberlite body used in TFFE. |
These TFFE tonnage and carat estimates confirm that the initial sampling already conducted on
Table 3. Orion North Drill Program Details
Kimberlite | Project Year | Number of Holes | Hole Type | Meters Drilled |
K120 | 1991-2020 | 69 | Core & RCA | 16,836.45 |
K120 | 2007-2008 | 16 | LDD | 3,762.54 |
K147 | 1991-2020 | 84 | Core & RCA | 17,820.39 |
K147 | 1999-2006 | 8 | LDD | 1,758.28 |
K148 | 1991-2020 | 96 | Core & RCA | 21,493.13 |
K148 | 2006-2007 | 9 | LDD | 1,956.27 |
K220 | 1996-2006 | 15 | Core & RCA | 3,343.90 |
LDD mini-bulk samples from
Table 4. Orion North Diamond Statistics for LDD Mini-bulk Samples
Kimberlite
| Total | Total | Stones | Largest Stone |
K120 | 297 | 3,410 | 25 | 7.53 |
K147/ K148 | 171 | 1,960 | 16 | 6.89 |
Type IIa diamonds are very rare and account for less than 2 percent of all natural rough diamonds mined from kimberlites. Only a small number of active diamond mines regularly produce Type IIa diamonds with the most important of these mines being Letseng-la-Terae (
Table 5. Orion North Kimberlite (Diamonds +7 DTC (0.05 carats) to 7 carats)
Geological Unit | Number of | Number of Type IIa Diamonds | Percentage Type IIa Diamonds |
Early | 1,019 | 531 | 52.11 |
Early | 1,545 | 167 | 10.81 |
The largest stones from the EJF in each kimberlite, both of which are also the highest value stones, are listed in Table 6 below. Diamond descriptions and valuations were completed by Mr.
Table 6. Description and Valuation of Largest Diamonds Recovered from K120 and K147/K148
Kimberlite (Early | Size | Type | Colour | Model | Estimated Price | Estimated Stone Value |
K120 | 7.50 | I | H | Makeable | 4,051 | 30,391 |
K147/K148 | 6.88 | IIa | VTLB (H)* | Makeable | 3,544 | 24,404 |
*VTLB Very Top Light Brown Polishes to the equivalent of H colour |
Senior VP Corporate Development Star Diamond,
All technical information in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of George Read, Senior Vice President Corporate Development, a registered Professional Geoscientist in the Provinces of Saskatchewan and British Columbia and Mark Shimell, Vice President Exploration, a registered Professional Geoscientist in the Province of
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