Botswana Diamonds has discovered a high-grade anomaly similar in size to the KX36 kimberlite pipe in Kalahari, Botswana.
This follows the completion of a gravity survey over four high-grade geophysical targets that had a good magnetic response in a previous survey.
It said preliminary results from the gravity survey show that at least one of the four targets have an “excellent” gravity response similar to that of known kimberlites and similar in size to KX36.
"This is the first strong indication of additional kimberlites around the KX36 discovery,” said company chairperson John Teeling.
“Kimberlites come in clusters, but extensive exploration has to date not been successful. The anomaly has a strong gravity signature, which gives us confidence that when drilled, it will prove to be a kimberlite.”
The KX36 kimberlite pipe has resources of 17.9 million tonnes (Mt) at 35 carats per hundred (cpht) (indicated) and 6.7 Mt at 36 cpht (inferred) at $65 per carat.
The modelled grade range is between 57 and 6 cpht at an estimated diamond value of up to $107/ct.
The survey on the KX36 size anomaly is being repeated and correlated with previous results for confirmation.
The new kimberlite targets have great potential to upgrade the existing resources in the area, including at the Ghaghoo Mine, which is currently under care and maintenance and only 60 km away from the KX36 project.
Botswana Diamonds’ next step will be a drilling plan.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
