Update on Thorny River project development

RNS Number : 4329R

Botswana Diamonds PLC

28 February 2019

 

28^th February 2019

Botswana Diamonds PLC

("Botswana Diamonds" or the "Company")

Update on Thorny River project development

·    Bulk sampling on track to commence in Q2 2019 subject to approvals.

·    Eighteen drill holes completed to define the bulk sampling plan; kimberlite found in twelve.

·    One hole hit a 4.5 metre kimberlite intersection, the thickest to date.

·    A mantle xenolith was found, this is indicative of high diamond content.

·    Further drilling will be undertaken on two adjacent sites which may contain kimberlite blows. A gravity survey is underway on these areas.

·    Refurbishment of the nearby diamond processing plant is underway.  This plant will process the Thorny River material.

Botswana Diamonds ("BOD") the AIM and BSE listed explorer is pleased to announce that the first phase of the intensification drilling programme on Thorny River has been concluded with drilling complete on the farm Hartbeesfontein.  Eighteen holes have been drilled with twelve intersecting kimberlite.  A bulk sampling target of 1.5 km of kimberlite fissure intersection has been identified. 

The second phase of the drilling programme, taking place on the farm Frischgewaagt has commenced with three holes drilled so far, all of which intersected kimberlite.  The third hole intersected 4.5m of kimberlite fissure down the hole, which is the thickest section intersected to date on the project.  This hole also produced a mantle xenolith (eclogite) composed of clinopyroxene and garnet which is indicative of high diamond content.

The third and final phase of the drilling programme will commence once a detailed gravity survey has been concluded over two potential kimberlite blows on the same property.

The purpose of this drilling programme is to enable detailed planning for a bulk sampling programme, which will commence on completion of drilling activities and after the necessary regulatory approvals have been received (which are expected within the next two months).  Refurbishment is currently underway of a nearby diamond processing plant to process the bulk sample kimberlite.

Work has commenced on potential secondary (alluvial) diamond deposits in the project area.  The nearby and worked-out Marsfontein diamond mine was host to eluvial diamond deposits running at grades of 1,433 cpht.

This release has been approved by James Campbell, Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds plc, a qualified geologist (Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Metals and Mining (UK) and with over 33-years' experience in the diamond sector. 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014. The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was James Campbell, Director

A copy of this announcement is available on the Company's website, at www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk

ENDS

Enquiries:

Botswana Diamonds PLC John Teeling, Chairman James Campbell, Managing Director Jim Finn, Director	[phone] [phone] [phone]
Beaumont Cornish - Nominated Adviser  Michael Cornish Roland Cornish	[phone]
SVS Securities Plc - Broker  Tom Curran Ben Tadd	[phone]
Blytheweigh - PR Julia Tilley Fergus Cowan	[phone] [phone] [phone]
Teneo Luke Hogg Alan Tyrrell	[phone] [phone]

www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk

 

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