Botswana Diamonds Reports Positive Results from Orapa Area

(IDEX Online News) – Botswana Diamonds has completed initial fieldwork on schedule and on budget at its PL 117 site in Orapa, Botswana, which was identified as the highest level priority target by Russian diamond miner Alrosa, the firm’s partner.

The results show scope for discovery of new kimberlite pipes, particularly in the north of the block,” the firm said in a statement. “Two drill targets have already been identified and we anticipate that further drill targets will be identified as the second batch of mineralogical samples is fully analyzed over the coming months. A specific drilling program will then target areas of highest potential.”

Botswana Diamonds said a combined team of senior geologists and geophysicists from both companies undertook an intensive work program to identify drill targets on the license area. Innovative magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys were conducted, and a new map of the magnetic field revealed.

In addition, heavy mineral sampling was carried out. Some of these samples have already been analyzed at Alrosa’s laboratory in St Petersburg, Russia. A second, larger batch of samples is currently on its way to Russia for priority mineralogical analysis.

“Alrosa believes that its analysis of geophysical data and the diamond indicator minerals has highlighted potential on ground in the region of PL117; ground which Botswana Diamonds has applied for and expects to be awarded. A work program is now being prepared for the new ground.”

Botswana Diamonds Chairman John Teeling said, “As we hoped, we have now got drill targets identified on PL117. There may well be more to come. We shall await the conclusion of the Alrosa analysis on the second batch of samples, and then we will launch our drill program. We are also becoming increasingly bullish on some areas apart from PL117.

“We were confident that bringing Alrosa to Botswana would be a positive move, and I am delighted that this view is already being vindicated. Combining our knowledge on the ground and their world-class exploration skills is a major plus. Alrosa is bringing something new to the table, and that is exactly what we hoped for. New thinking and new techniques suggest that there are undiscovered diamond-bearing kimberlites on or near our acreage. I look forward to announcing further developments in due course.”