Canadian diamond exploration company, Pangolin Diamonds Corp earlier this week released a report stating that an anomalous number of kimberlite indicators found in soil samples have led to the discovery of four more white diamonds recovered in soil samples from two different areas. “Two additional areas of anomalous concentrations of kimberlite indicators are being considered for a possible follow-up exploration,” the report reads.
The malatswae diamond project which is located in the heavily cattle populated area of the western sandveld in the central district consists of three prospecting licences totaling 1059.55 km2, PL063/2011, PL100/2011 and PL247/2014. Pangolin received Prospecting Licence 247/2014 on 1 July 2014. The Licence was obtained to follow up the recovery of a single diamond from a soil sample (MSC-119).
Pangolin Diamonds Corp is a leading diamond exploration company in Botswana. It is also one of the world’s leading diamond prospecting companies, with over┬á100 years of exploration experience in mineral exploration.
“A series of 213 samples were collected surrounding sample MSC 119 on a 200 x 200m grid covering approximately 3 km2, known as the MSC Grid. A further two diamonds along with picro-ilmenite, pyrope garnets, forsteritic olivines and a garnet-spinel peridotite fragment from the mantle were recovered from the soil samples.” “Observed surface textures on the ilmenites and garnets, the unweathered state of the olivines, the recovery of the garnet-spinel peridotite and the presence of magnesium-rich clay attached to one of the diamonds are all indicators of the presence of a possible source or sources in close proximity, which deserve further follow-up exploration,” it reads.
It further states that “the grid sampling was further refined with the addition of 39 sites to close the spacing to 100 x 100 m within a specific area of interest. The latter soil samples from the grid are currently being processed for kimberlite indicator minerals in Francistown, Botswana.” The detailed report further mentions that “The concentrates will then be “picked” by an independent sorter to separate the kimberlite indicators for microprobe analysis in Canada.” The report further states that results will be reported when the analysis are complete.
Additionally the report also mentions that the MSC Grid was recovered by using a complex ground magnetic survey. “The full 3 km2 area was surveyed on 50m section lines for a total of 183 line kilometres.” Target areas identified from the magnetic results were selectively covered with ground gravity measurements covering 6.5 line kilometres. A number of further interesting targets were identified.
Two of the identified targets were drill tested. In total 355m of core drilling were completed, but kimberlite was not intersected. The depth of the Kalahari Formation cover has however been established at 15 metres. The results of the recent drilling are being utilized to further process the ground magnetic and gravity data. This work is presently underway and is expected to further refine future drill target selection. Gravity modeling was also completed to characterize a large target on the southern portion of the MSC Grid.
Cattle ranchers in the area known as the Sandveld have received the discovery of diamonds with mixed reactions. Whilst some are optimistic that crucial developments such as electrification of the remote settlement of Malatswae in the central district would be a welcome gesture, some fear that they would have to be removed in order to pave way for mining activities in the area.
