Botswana Diamonds (BOD), the AIM and BSE listed explorer, says 17 reverse circulation percussion holes have been drilled on Zebediela on the farms Frischgewaagt, Hartbeesfontein and Doornrivier in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
In an update on its Vutomi Joint Venture in South Africa, BOD revealed that these holes have been drilled to further delineate the extensive kimberlite pipe/fissure system and as pilot holes for a Large Diameter Drilling programme which is scheduled to commence next month.
“This, along with previous geological and resource development work, is targeting the declaration of an Inferred Resource on the project by the end of the year. Zebediela is located in close proximity to the De Beers / SouthernEra Marsfontein Mine, which had an average grade of 172cpht and diamond value of US$128/ct and with a capital payback of less than 4-days,” BOD said.

Mr. John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Diamonds
At Ontevreden, the Company’s latest kimberlite discovery in the North West Province of South Africa, detailed ground geophysics has been completed producing a minimum anomaly size of 100 metres x 70 metres. Samples of the high interest Group 2 kimberlite have been taken for kimberlitic indicator analyses and these are currently being processed through in-house facilities. The grains will be microprobed at the University of Johannesburg. Ontevreden is close to Petra’s Helam Mine which has grades running as high as 500 cpht and diamond value of US$255/ct.
BOD chairman, John Teeling said intensive exploration is ongoing at our two main projects in South Africa, Zebediela and Ontevreden. At Zebediela the drilling has identified where best to site the Large Diameter Drill programme beginning in October 2017.
“ At Ontevreden, geophysics has outlined the size of the previously announced Group 2 kimberlite discovery which is currently estimated at 100m x 70m metres. ”