All: I have the esteemed privilege of sharing this excellent report
from APEX Geoscience Ltd. This is a summary of the paper given by
Mike Dufresne at the Toronto Geological Discussion Group presentation,
as discussed on this thread. It's lengthy for this forum, but I am
posting it for its invaluable information. WELL worth the read!
Here it is (hope there's few errors), in three parts (sorry for formatting):
------------------------------------Part 1-------------------
APEX Geoscience Ltd.
Edmonton Office: Toronto Office:
Suite 200, 9797 - 45th Avenue Suite 218, 920 Yonge Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6E 5V8 Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3C7
Email: apexgeo@compusmart.ab.ca Email: Apexto@istar.ca
Tel: 403-439-5380 Tel: 416-923-8254
Fax: 403-433-1336 Fax: 416-923-8304
ALBERTA DIAMONDS - AN UPDATE ON THE NEWLY EMERGING DIAMONDIFEROUS KIMBERLITE FIELD IN WESTERN CANADA
By APEX Geoscience Ltd.
Dr. R.A. Olson, P. Geol., President and Senior Consultant, APEX Toronto office
Mr. M.B. Dufresne, P. Geol., Principal and Consultant, APEX Edmonton office
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
Summary
At least 15 kimberlite deposits have been discovered to date in northern Alberta,
and there are also reports of kimberlites or diamonds in a few places in central and
southern Alberta, Many, if not most, of the northern Alberta kimberlites are
diamondiferous, and a few have carats per 100 tonne grades, micro diamond and macro
diamond counts, and stone qualities, that are similar to those reported during the early
phases of exploration of the economically important diamondiferous kimberlites which exist
near Lac de Gras, N.W.T. In contrast to most of the N.W.T. diamondiferous kimberlite
pipes, at least some of the pipes and related pyroclastic aprons in Alberta are quite large;
in some cases, reportedly up to 15 to 20 ha in areal extent. Thus the potential exists for
a diamondiferous deposit in Alberta to have substantial tonnages, which could impact
favourably on the economics of any discoveries, even if the carats per tonne or quality of
stones turns out to be somewhat less than that found in the N.W.T.
The economic and regulatory aspects of diamond exploration and development in
Alberta also are highly favourable because there is excellent infrastructure in most areas,
including power, water and access via summer and winter roads and cut seismic lines, and
many of the aboriginal land claims in Alberta have already been settled. As a result, the
capital development and operating costs for a diamond mine in Alberta may be one-third
to one-half the cost of such in the N.W.T.
In conclusion, the exploration for diamondiferous kimberlites is at an early stage in
Alberta, and the potential is high for discovery of an economically important diamond deposit.
----------------------------
-Continued... (2 more parts) ... |
