Hello Peter
In light of SUF's planned summer drill program on the Yamba Lake play and some of the numbers that came out of today's Munn Lake NR, I thought it might be interesting to revisit the MIY/TQY/CAV – Yamba Lake - May 10, 1997 – NR. This was the last exploration NR before Cypango ran out of cash and BRX gutted the junior exploration scene.
“results of the caustic dissolution evaluation of a series of sample batches taken from the T-10 kimberlite pipe, discovered recently in the central portion of the Yamba Lake property in the Northwest Territories.
From this sample of 83.6 kg of kimberlite, a total of six (6) macrodiamonds (greater than 0.5 mm in the longest dimension) and sixty-two (62) microdiamonds (smaller than 0.5 mm in the longest dimension) were recovered.
Again, these sample sizes are far to small to draw anything but the most cursory of information from them, but here is an interesting comparison:
1. T-10 / 83.6kg = 68 micro/macro diamonds = .81 diamonds per kilogram
2. Yuri / 581.29kg = 226 micro/macro diamonds = .39 diamonds per kilogram
3. Munn dike / 42kg = 14 micro/macro diamonds = .33 diamonds per kilogram
I could not find any published data anywhere on the Ptarmigan's sampling results. All we know is that the Chromite chemistry is extremely attractive. Since the Yuri sample is so much larger than the other two, and they are so small, making micro/macro comparisons would be a pointless exercise.
The following excerpt I thought was indicative of a very informative NR, instilling a sense of confidence in the professionalism of the authoring firm, Canamera:
The sample was processed in ten batches deemed to be representative of the multiple phases of the kimberlite pipe. These batches were taken at various intervals from core extracted from a single hole which was drilled at an angle across the pipe. The caustic dissolution method of evaluation immerses the kimberlite core into highly alkaline sodium hydroxide at very high temperature in order to dissolve the kimberlite. Diamonds survive this process of dissolution as a result of their low susceptibility to acidic or basic attack. After the kimberlite is dissolved, any diamonds that were contained therein are recovered from the remaining few grams of residue. Sample batches each contain a quality-control synthetic spike to verify recovery efficiency and the lack of any process-induced damage to natural diamonds in the sample. These diamonds are hand sorted and measured in a secure diamond sorting laboratory. This process is capable of extracting even the smallest of diamonds (less than 125 microns in length).
Now some investors do not buy into the idea that either the Ptarmigan or T-10 could possibly be economic since they have already been tested, and the former by Monopros to boot. Well, as you have already noted, the size of the sample taken on the T-10 was obviously extremely small. However, interestingly, as you may have also noted, the diamond counts exceed those of the Yuri, a kimberlite that SUF suggests is a very exciting kimberlite. Now, as I said, these sample sizes are very small and no one should draw any conclusions from this, but it does leave room for optimism.
You might also take note of the following as it is indicative of the same type of phased emplacement that SUF reported on the Camafuca both yesterday and in previous NR's. In addition, considering DB's reporting accuracy on the Camafuca, I suggest that there might be more than a little room for optimism that the Ptarmigan may have attractive numbers.
The T-10 kimberlite pipe appears to be a small diatreme and consists of at least four (4) separate phases, each one representing a different intrusive event. From a 5 kg sample that was representative of one phase of the pipe, 3 macrodiamonds and 36 microdiamonds were extracted. This represents more than half of the diamonds extracted from the 83.6 kilogram sample and provides evidence of intrusions in the area that have well sampled the diamond stability field. As a result of the many phases throughout a relatively small diatreme, it is considered that the T-10 kimberlite pipe has a high probability of being a satellite pipe to a larger pipe in the vicinity. Sampling and surveying to establish further drill targets in the immediate vicinity of the T-10 pipe is ongoing.
Now, to those who seem to think that the 1999 story is over at Yamba read the following, as it is just one of a number of inshore target areas that SUF will be looking at over the coming months:
Cypango is presently drilling a series of four (4) targets referred to as the ''Gooseneck'' targets. These targets lie adjacent to a peninsula that extends west from an island located in a lake in the central portion of the property. The targets are defined by a kimberlite pyrope garnet, chrome spinel, and olivine-rich indicator mineral dispersion train that terminates beneath the lake. Microprobe analysis of indicator minerals from this train show that the grains originated from kimberlites that have sampled the diamond stability field and broadly confirm favourable conditions for the presence of diamonds. The targets appear as a series of well-defined magnetic lows on the ground magnetic survey and the profiles appear to be consistent with those of kimberlite pipes that have been discovered in the area.
Cypango is also continuing detailed indicator mineral sampling and geophysical surveying over targets at the terminus of the ''T-49'' and ''T-60'' trains in the west central and southwest portions of the property and is expected to define further targets for drilling shortly.
It should also be kept in mind, that if memory serves me, the property only has one very large lake and two medium sized ones. The remaining lakes are typically much smaller and shallow making inshore drilling of targets feasible throughout the year.
Don't count out Canada just yet Confluence. While the RSA and Brazil will certainly contribute to the bottom line in the near term, this is where the market will assign blue sky premiums. I think DMM and especially ABZ quietly make that case better than I do.
If you and HB are chatting, perhaps you might ask if today's NR was his or penned by another author?
Regards
P.S. Gemseacher, while my head says Stars, my penchant for the underdog and the intangibles of playoff goaltending plus an agressive forchecking game plus the Stars slow defence suggest that I have to agree with you, but Sabres in seven more likely (if the ice doesn't melt first). Its interesting that Balfour and Hachek (sp?) are facing each other, as they were team mates in Chicago I believe when Balfour lost in the finals and Hachek rode the bench. |
