Statement re Diamond Testing Commences
SouthernEra commences diamond testing of kimberlitic bodies discovered
in Gabon, Central Africa
Shares issued and outstanding: 128,343,101
TSX: SDM
AIM: SRE
TORONTO/LONDON, England, Jan. 23 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Diamonds Inc.
("SouthernEra") (TSX: SDM, AIM: SRE) today reported that micro-diamond testing
("MiDA") of kimberlitic bodies discovered in Gabon, Central Africa has
commenced and that 7 new kimberlitic bodies within its diamond exploration
permit areas have been discovered. This brings the number of kimberlitic
bodies discovered by SouthernEra in Gabon to 41. One of the new kimberlitic
bodies contained 5 high pressure G10 garnets in a small volume of rock
concentrate, whilst others contained diamond inclusion spinel. Both suggest
that the kimberlitic bodies have a high potential to host diamonds.
Six of the seven newly discovered kimberlitic bodies occur within the
1,837 square-kilometer Makongonio diamond project area where SouthernEra has a
60% interest in a Joint Venture with the Gabonese mining company, COGEMAT
(35%) and GEOSCAN (5%). This permit area has historically produced the highest
value and largest stone size alluvial diamonds in Gabon, with gem-quality
diamonds of over 50 carats having been recovered. Previous exploration efforts
by competitors failed to locate the primary source of the diamonds or any
kimberlitic indicator minerals.
Over the past 2 years SouthernEra has discovered 14 kimberlitic bodies
within this permit area including the first known pipe (approximately
1 hectare in size) in Gabon. Some of the 'dyke-like' bodies have widths up to
21m, and sit within kimberlitic structural emplacement corridors up to 15km in
length. As announced previously, 2 out of the 2 tested kimberlitic bodies
returned positive micro-diamond results. The bodies discovered by SouthernEra
are, in all likelihood, the sources of the high value alluvial deposits.
Extensive evidence of artisinal activity exists immediately downstream of some
of these bodies. A map of the Makongonio diamond project is available on the
SouthernEra website.
In addition, a kimberlitic dyke over 2m wide was also discovered within
the 100% owned Sud diamond permit, located approximately 60km to the northeast
of the Makongonio discoveries. Numerous kimberlitic spinel (including some
exhibiting diamond inclusion chemistry) and 10 kimberlitic garnets were
recovered from a small rock sample. Five of the garnets are high pressure
G10's exhibiting up to 12.49% chrome, these being garnet compositions
indicative of derivation from diamond stable source areas and suggest that the
rock has a high potential of containing diamonds. This body is immediately
upstream of an historic alluvial diamond occurrence, where SouthernEra
previously recovered a G10 garnet and numerous kimberlitic spinel during its
reconnaissance stream sampling campaign. A plot of the garnet chemistry is
available on the SouthernEra website.
Commenting on these newest discoveries, SouthernEra's Senior Vice
President of Exploration, Howard Bird, said: "These recent discoveries have
added to favourable results in Gabon in 2005. It is encouraging to have found
high pressure garnets in our Gabonese discoveries, indicating high diamond
potential of the kimberlitic bodies. These 'dyke-like' bodies range in
thickness from 2m to over 21m, unlike most known 'dyke' systems that normally
occur in the 1m width range. In addition, it is evident from our sampling
results that these emplacement systems have considerable strike lengths in
excess of 10km. I am looking forward to the results of the first phase of
evaluation of these and other bodies that are soon to be evaluated".
SouthernEra's exploration program in Gabon during 2006 will focus on
evaluating the diamond potential of the known kimberlitic bodies and to
continue to follow-up on positive kimberlitic indicator mineral stream sample
results that suggest additional bodies are to be discovered. Kimberlitic
samples from six separate bodies recently arrived in Canada for MiDA and
kimberlitic samples from a further 8 separate bodies are en route to Canada
for MiDA. The results are anticipated in the 2nd Quarter of 2006. In addition,
numerous 10 to 50 tonne mini-bulk samples will be collected from selected high-
interest bodies for macro-diamond testing. Collection of mini-bulk samples has
commenced from some of the bodies. A suitable mini processing plant has been
assembled in South Africa and is being shipped to Gabon, for 2006 sample
processing.
In addition to the above mentioned Sud and Makongonio diamond projects,
SouthernEra has two other diamond exploration projects in Gabon; the 100%
owned Kango project where SouthernEra recently reported the discovery of two
new kimberlitic bodies and the 95% owned M'bigou project.
Mr. Uwe Naeher, Professional Geologist, is the qualified person, under
NI 43-101, responsible for the technical information in this release.
Gabon is one of five countries in which SouthernEra is engaged in
extensive diamond exploration. Others are Canada, the DRC, Zimbabwe, and South
Africa. The Company also maintains an 18 percent free-carried interest in the
Camafuca Diamond Project in Angola and operates the Klipspringer Diamond Mine
in South Africa.
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,
www.southernera.com; London: 4C-Burvale, Carina Corbett, Director, Telephone:
++44 (0) 207-907-4761, Fax: ++44 (0) 207-907-4769, Email:
Corbett(at)4c-burvale.co.uk
(SDM. SRE)
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