Exploration activity by Botswana Diamonds

Botswana Diamonds (BOD) said the forthcoming first half 2016 exploration programme for Botswana will commence in March. The company noted that the programme will be managed by Alrosa, the Russian diamond producer, who is our 50 per cent partner in the venture.

The highlights includes the drilling of one core hole to 300m depth and one or two large diameter holes, each 300 metres deep on kimberlite pipe AK21 on PL 260 in the Orapa area. There will also be Drilling two or three follow-up holes, 80 metres each on PL 210 in the Orapa area.

According to BOD there will be hard rock and heavy concentrate sampling on PLs 260 and 210 in Orapa and on our four licences in the Gope area and ground magnetic surveys and electromagnetic (TEM) surveys on PLs 260 and 085 in Orapa; and PLs 135, 136 and 137 in Gope. This programme is budgeted at $700,000 of which half will be paid by BOD.

BOD Chairman, John Teeling said this will be a very focused programme adding that the wide diameter holes to be drilled on a known kimberlite on our new licence in Orapa, PL 260, are to test whether diamond grades improve at depth.

“The follow up holes on PL 210 are to investigate local geophysical anomalies (magnetic and electromagnetic) which can be connected with kimberlites,” Teeling said.

“The Gope area is emerging as an attractive diamond province with the Gem owned Ghaghoo mine and the Petra owned KX36 discovery.  We have already explored three small licences in the area and found anomalies.  The proposed work will identify drill targets.”