SouthernEra Recovers First Diamonds from DRC
SouthernEra Recovers First Diamonds from its Alluvial Evaluation Program
in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Kimberlite Exploration Program Discovers Evidence of New Kimberlite
Provinces
Shares Issued and Outstanding: 112,279,101
TSX: SDM
AIM: SRE
TORONTO, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Diamonds Inc. ("the Company")
(TSX: SDM, AIM: SRE) announced today that a 1.05 carat stone as well as a
large number of smaller diamonds have been recovered during the ongoing
exploration testing of a portion of its alluvial project in the Tshikapa
region of the DRC. The aim of this first phase program is to locate high
interest diamond bearing gravel deposits by testing a selected number of
separate sample sites along the course of the river. Within the project area a
total of 154.27 tonnes of active river channel gravel has been recovered and
is currently being treated. To date partially treated samples have recovered
506 diamonds (total 71.80 carats) from 5 of the 21 active channel exploration
sample sites that have been tested. The final results will be reported
following complete processing of the entire samples. At this stage the results
include only the diamonds recovered from the fine fraction 2 to 4 mm mesh
screen size, as the coarse fraction 4 to 16 mm mesh screen sizes will be
treated through a diamond X-ray Flowsort machine which is in transit. The
table below lists the results from the complete processing of the 2 to 4 mm
size fraction for 3 samples. Sample 11B and 11C are from basal gravels from
the same sample site and sample 8 is from a separate sample site. Following
the completion of the initial active river testing program, a parcel of
diamonds will be evaluated to determine a dollar per carat value.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes Diamonds Carats
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample 8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2mm to 4mm fraction 2.89 164 20.35
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4mm to 10mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
10mm to 16mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 10.44 Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample 11B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2mm to 4mm fraction 2.15 142 22.90
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4mm to 10mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
10mm to 16mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 5.21 Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample 11C
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2mm to 4mm fraction 1.41 104 18.25
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4mm to 10mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
10mm to 16mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 2.87 Results pending Results pending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the active river channels, significant diamond deposit
potential exists within large alluvial flats occurring in the SouthernEra
permit areas. The exploration of these floodplain deposits has commenced in
one area with a large seismic geophysical survey. Seismic survey test-lines
completed earlier this year suggested that this geophysical method is capable
of defining the bedrock topography underneath the flats. This survey should
aid, with the assistance of drilling, in highlighting the locations of diamond
deposits within the alluvial flat system that will be bulk-sample tested in
2006.
Photographs of diamonds recovered from the Tshikapa project area sample
sites may be viewed on the Company's website at www.southernera.com.
SouthernEra's President and CEO Alasdair MacPhee said: "We are very
encouraged with the alluvial diamond results to date from an evaluation
program that is in its infancy. It represents SouthernEra's first potential
new source of diamonds since the Marsfontein Mine discovery in South Africa.
With approximately 30 km of river frontage to evaluate, these early stage
initial results have encouraged SouthernEra to increase its investment in the
plant and infrastructure in the DRC and further advance the program."
In addition to the alluvial diamond program SouthernEra has an extensive
portfolio of exclusive primary diamond potential exploration permits covering
13,600 square kilometers located within the diamond-rich Kasai Provinces of
the DRC. The known kimberlites in this region are of exceptional size and
grade and this area is considered the world's most prospective new diamond
exploration opportunity. The majority of the permits lie within a 'kimberlite
emplacement corridor', which is underlain by Archean basement granite-gneiss
of the Congo Craton.
The 2004 aeromagnetic geophysical survey generated numerous high priority
pipe-like targets and an ongoing program is testing selected targets with
ground magnetometer surveys and soil sampling for the recovery of kimberlitic
indicator minerals. Most samples are currently being processed but kimberlitic
ilmenite and a micro-diamond have been recovered from 1 target thus far. An
additional aeromagnetic survey, covering the remaining permit areas, is
scheduled for 2006 together with the drill testing of positive targets.
In 2005 reconnaissance stream sampling started in earnest within the
permits. High interest kimberlitic garnet (G10's) and kimberlitic ilmenite
have been recovered as well as microdiamonds. In some cases the positive
drainage basins have been subject to significant artisinal alluvial diamond
mining activity, as well as historic commercial terrace mining by the Belgium
mining company, Forminiere. A number of the high priority aeromagnetic targets
are located within some of the diamond positive drainage basins. The
kimberlitic ilmenite chemistry data collected to date from the region suggests
that more than one kimberlite province is present.
Mr. MacPhee added: "We have, over the past few months, been evaluating
various alternatives that would accelerate the alluvial and kimberlite
programs in the DRC, including discussions with major mining companies, in
order that the potential of these projects be realized as soon as possible."
Mr. Uwe Naeher, Professional Geologist, is the qualified person under
NI 43-101 responsible for the technical information in this release. All
stream and soil samples collected for the recovery of kimberlitic indicator
minerals are processed at SouthernEra's in-house diamond laboratory located in
Polokwane, South Africa.
The DRC is one of six countries in which SouthernEra is engaged in
advanced diamond exploration. Others include Canada, South Africa, Gabon,
Zimbabwe, and Australia. This represents the fourth most active global diamond
exploration program after the majors DeBeers, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. The
Company also operates the Klipspringer Diamond Mine in South Africa and
maintains an 18 percent free-carried interest in the Camafuca Diamond Project
in Angola.
Some statements contained in this news release are forward-looking and,
therefore, involve uncertainties or risks that could cause actual results to
differ materially. Such forward-looking statements include comments regarding
exploration work. Actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking
statements.
For further information: SouthernEra Diamonds Inc., Howard Bird, Senior
Vice President Exploration, or Sharon Allan, Investor Relations, Telephone:
(416) 359-9282, Fax: (416) 359-9141, e-mail: inbox(at)southernera.com; UK
contact: 4C-Burvale Ltd, Carina Corbett, John Carrick Smith, Tel:
+44 (0)20 7907 4760/1, e-mail: corbett(at)4c-burvale.co.uk
SDM. SRE
Latest directors dealings
- 3 hours ago ASOS
- 3 hours ago MJ Gleeson
- 3 hours ago Rolls-Royce Holdings
- 4 hours ago Crest Nicholson Holdings
- 4 hours ago Naked Wines