Ellendale Mine Bulk Sample Results Exceed Expectations
June 12, 13
(IDEX Online News) – Kimberley Diamonds has recovered bulk samples from the Ellendale Mine in Australia with an average of 3.6 carats per hundred tones (cpht) a "marked improvement" on the previous grade of 2.55 cpht. 
The Ellendale mine.
The firm said that two bulk samples from the Far East Pit (FEP) of the E9 pipe have recovered 1,060 carats at an average grade of 3.57 cpht and "significantly exceeded previous expectations."
The samples were treated through the E9 East production process plant and independent valuations were carried out by Independent Diamond Valuers Pty Ltd.
FEP remains the least developed and understood area of the E9 pipe. Coupled with the belief that it additionally yielded the least value per tonne ore, it has not been exploited in any significant manner prior to 2013.
The current plan, based on available information at the end of 2012, is to mine 875,000 tonnes of ore containing an estimated 22,900 carats from FEP this calendar year.
The two bulk samples indicate an increase in expected grades, which may potentially lead to an increase in the ore that can viably be mined from FEP.
Two further bulk samples are planned for the coming months.