Botswana Diamonds (BOD)– the AIM and BSE listed explorer– says it has completed the first phase of the intensification drilling programme on Thorny River with. The company said Eighteen holes have been drilled on the farm Hartbeesfontein 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,” stated the exploration company.

“ 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.”