Vaughn - Whats your take on the following, from SH:
OVERVIEW OF DIAMOND DISCOVERIES INTERNATIONAL’S
DIAMOND PROJECT
IN THE TORNGAT REGION OF QUEBEC, CANADA
Diamond Discoveries International’s diamond exploration program
in the Torngat region of Quebec, Canada, is emerging as a new
kimberlite field with enormous diamond potential. In a very short
time, Diamond Discoveries International has established two new
diamond sources and has made many significant discoveries of
potential diamond bearing rock with essentially kimberlite or
closely related compositions and characteristics. Adding
momentum to success. Diamond Discoveries International has
made the first discovery of kimberlite 'pipes" in the region.
Throughout the world, kimberlite pipes and blowouts are the
dominant structures hosting economic diamond deposits. The
discovery of such structures so early in an exploration program
signifies the unlimited kimberlite potential of the area. The
announcement of such discoveries will fortify investor confidence
and probably cause a staking rush in the area equivalent to the
current activity in the Otish Mountains region in northwestern
Quebec.
Isolated, rugged and limited by a short field season, Diamond
Discoveries International's exploration program in the harsh
Torngat terrain is simple; incorporating ground investigation by
skilled geologists and prospectors with extensive heavy mineral
sampling. In a very short time, this approach has identified 16
dykes and 4 pipes of kimberlite or material closely related to
kimberlite.
Kimberlitic magma tends to pick up unrelated crystals
(xenocrysts) and rocks (xenoliths) from points all along its path of
ascent and mix with crustal units during emplacement. Typical
kimberlitic xenocrysts include: Cr-pyrope, eclogite garnet, chrome
diopside, Cr-spinel (magnetite and chromite), Mg-ilmenite, olivine
and diamond. These minerals are believed to be derived from the
earth's mantle region and are sometimes referred to as 'mantle
nodules'. Heavy mineral concentrates made from samples of
sediments accumulated over kimberlite bodies or from gravels
collected in streams crossing kimberlite can contain xenocrysts
derived from the eroding kimberlite. In exploration terms, these
xenocrysts are referred to as 'kimberlite indicator minerals',
Extensive heavy mineral sampling by Diamond Discoveries
international has established the presence of kimberlite indicator
minerals associated with the dykes and pipes in the project area.
The minerals are equivalent to kimberlite minerals found in the
Otish Mountain region of Quebec, the Lac de Gras region of the
Northwest Territories, South African kimberlite and most
kimberlite occurrences found worldwide.
Electron microprobe analyses preformed on minerals contained in
the kimberlite dykes and pipes found on the properly indicate two
(or more) kimberlite events have occurred. One suite of mantle
nodules found in the kimberlite dykes and pipes include:
Cr-pyrope and eclogite garnet, chrome diopside, Cr-spinel,
ilmenite and olivine. A second suite of mantle nodules found in
different dykes include: chrome diopside, eclogite garnet,
andradite garnet, perovskite and Cr-spinel. Diamonds were
detected by Lakefield Research after caustic digestions were
preformed on separate samples of kimberlite of each mineral
suite. The detection of diamond with each mineral suite indicates
each kimberlite event is diamondiferous. Additional xenocrysts
associated with kimberlite on the property include: phlogopite,
enstatite, corundum and sphene.
Certain chemical trends and textural characteristics found in
minerals from kimberlite on the property are similar to those of
worldwide diamond bearing kimberlite. Olivine nodules analyzed
from both suites are rich in Mg (MgQ 93% wt.). Mg-rich olivine
called ‘fosterite' occurs in all worldwide diamond bearing
kimberlite. Fosteritic olivine signifies conditions in the earth’s
mantle suitable for 'diamond stability’. Olivine nodules (and
Cr-pyrope) from kimberiite on the property also contain
intergrowths or 'micro-nodules' of other kimberlite minerals (most
notably, chrome diopside), Characteristic of diamond bearing
kimberiite, micro-nodules signify multiple sampling of mantle
regions suitable for diamond growth. This is not usually displayed
in non-diamond bearing kimberlite.
The diamond potential of kimberlite on the property is also
enhanced by the significant eclogite component present in the
dykes and pipes. Eclogite terrains in kimberlite are fragments of
the earth's crust which have been subducted into the earth’s
mantle and returned to the earth's surface via transport by the
kimberlite. Under certain pressure and temperatures in the
earth's mantle, eclogite providee an excellent site for diamond
growth et the expense of carbon components contained in the
eclogite. Many of the best diamonds occurring in kimberlite of the
Lac de Gras region are associated with eclogite. Eclogite in
kimberlite on the property is evident by abundant quantities of
Ca-Mg almandine garnets and Na-rich clinopyroxene. Large
volumes of corundum and sphene found in some of the pipes and
dykes are also directly associated with eclogite.
There is immense value to be gained from the discovery of gem
quality diamonds. Due to the complex processes involved during
kimberlite emplacement any accurate economic evaluation of
kimberlite requires systematic bulk sampling. Kimberlite minerals
and kimberlite rock fragments found in the vicinity to the pipes
indicate the pipes are composed of complex kimberlite terrains
containing mantle nodules and eclogite mixed with upper crustal
xenoliths. The diamond potential of these pipes is considered
exceptionally good and supported by the fact that diamonds have
been detected in dykes associated with the pipes. Chrome
diopside grains and kimberlite rock fragments containing large
mantle nodules (2 x 1 cm in size) of fosteritic olivine with chrome
diopside inclusions were found directly on the pipes and provide
additional evidence of the exceptional diamond potential of the
pipes.
In addition to diamonds, the kimberlite pipes and dykes found by
Diamond Discoveries International are potential sources for gem
quality pyrope garnet, pink and ruby red corundum, chrome
diopside and yellow sphene. Worldwide gem quality sources of
these minerals are limited and a Canadian source could draw
value simply an its uniqueness. Ruby corundum was identified by
Lakefield Research and verified by the Gemological institute of
America and occurs with abundant pink corundum in several
kimberlite dykes on the property. Gem quality pyrope garnet has
been identified by an independent gemologist (Creative Gems
Inc.). Both corundum and pyrope occur with diamond in one of
the dykes analyzed by Lakefield Research.
Sincerely,
Robert Dillman Geologist
Arjadee Prospecting
July 30. 2002
About the author:
Robert Dillman is an independent consulting geologist with 11
years experience in mineral exploration, 7 seven years of which
are directly associated with kimberlite and diamond exploration.
The author owns and operates heavy mineral - kimberlite
mineral processing facilities in Mount Brydges, Ontario end
specializes in the identification of minerals associated with
kimberlite and diamonds. The author has not visited the property
and has based this information on his interpretation of minerals
present in the various heavy mineral concentrates collected on
the property and on reports of discoveries presented to him by
management and field personnel.
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