The Directors of Botswana Diamonds said they have received an update from Sunland Minerals, the joint venture company owned 50/50 by Botswana Diamonds and Alrosa operating the exploration programme on PL117 in Orapa Botswana.  Two holes were drilled on each of two anomalies AN117/1 and AN117/2.

BOD said two boreholes were drilled on anomaly AN117/1 and hole 117/1-1 was targeted at the centre of a complex geophysical anomaly while hole 117/1-2 was targeted at the centre of an mineralogical anomaly.

Both holes on anomaly 117/1 intersected intensively altered, cracked and brecciated rocks composing veins (5-10 cm) likely to be of kimberlitic origin.  Samples are being processed.

The company said two boreholes were drilled on anomaly AN117/2, but no kimberlites were identified on 117/2. The exploration programme is ongoing, BOD revealed.

John Teeling, Chairman, said the discovery of kimberlite type material in holes 3 and 4 is very encouraging.

“This is the first time that Alrosa exploration technology has been applied in Botswana and these results support its use.  We will now refine the model.”