Here is where Souther Era was a year ago.....if poplar can post initial samplings close to these ones, we are on our way witht his exploration:
SouthernEra Resources Limited -
Klipspringer has US$82 value per tonne; 3,000+ carats recovered to date
SouthernEra Resources Limited
SUF
Shares issued 20022000
1996-10-10 close $8.95
Friday Oct 11 1996
Mr Christopher Jennings reports
A recently completed primary kimberlite sample from the
company's Klipspringer, South Africa deposit gave a value
per tonne of US$82, making it, to date, the highest value per
tonne diamond fissure in the world and ranking it sixth overall
of all known currently active diamond mines and projects.
This sample was derived from 425 dry metric tonnes of
primary kimberlite which gave an average grade of 0.84
carats per tonne. Using the most recent valuation of US$97.75
per carat this results in a value of US$82 per tonne. Further
testing of primary kimberlite is under way and regular updates
of grade and value will be given.
The top 25 active diamond mines and projects in the world,
ranked by US$ per tonne range in value from $210 - $9. The
Klipspringer project currently ranks just behind the top five
mines/projects which have values of $210, $130, $119, $118
and $93. The remaining 19 mines/projects range in value from
$9 - $63.
It is estimated that mining and treatment costs will be about
US$25 per tonne, leaving a large operating margin per tonne
mined. The low mining costs are possible because of the
project's favourable geographical location including a mild
year round climate, the proximity of an established
infrastructure, competent host rock and the ability to mine from
adits (horizontal tunnels), instead of shafts.
More than 3,000 carats of diamonds worth approximately
US$300,000 have now been recovered. The average size is
0.31 ct and the parcel includes more than 15 gem diamonds
greater than four carats. This compares with an average size,
for most producing pipes of 0.1 carats per stone. A recently
discovered 9.5 carat, near flawless dodecahedron has been
valued at US$990 per carat. The biggest gem diamond found
to date was 17.12 carats and was valued at $550 per carat.
An accelerated regional exploration program is being
conducted on numerous fronts: the known 62 kilometres along
which kimberlitic minerals have been found (extended from
40 kilometres previously reported); the parallel Sugarbird
(north) fissure; other linear anomalies; and at least one large
circular mineral anomaly on the property. Management is
encouraged by the upside potential of this project. (The
average total strike length of existing fissure mines is 10km).
In the light of the encouraging results at Klipspringer,
SouthernEra will continue its bulk sample to obtain 5,000
carats for continuing diamond grade and valuation, and will
immediately commission two consulting engineering groups in
South Africa with considerable diamond experience to
commence a full feasibility study. |
