Michael, I know a bit about Caldera, and next to nothing about Tiger (as a company). I have checked up on the Springfield prospect (I knew about it because I pegged a some exploration leases for diamonds and some other commodities) about 20 km south of the Springfield prospect, near a known swarm of kimberlitic pipes and dykes (at a place called Oororoo (the name doesn't sound unusual in Australia)).
The Springfield prospect has been known for 15 years or so. To quote from the South Australian Mines Department brochure on diamonds in SA "Diamond occurrences of more than 100 diamonds have been recorded in three sites in SA." " In the Springfield basin, 128 diamonds and fragments have been recovered from conglomerates of Permian age. Garnet indicators with a kelyphytic rind suggest very little transport, and hence a local source."
At Eurelia (about 60-70 km SSE of the Springfield prospect) "... 140 small diamonds have been found associated with kimberlites, these being the only proven source rock so far in SA."
The Springfield basin is located at 32.1250 decimal degrees south, 138.3917 decimal degrees east. Eurelia is located at 32.5000 S, 138.5000 E. Both locations are just of the edge of the "G2" structural corridor (magnetic and gravity) which is a continental feature which obviously (from the many diamond occurrences) taps the mantle.
I would rate Caldera ahead of Tiger because they are more advanced, have many kimberlite targets to test, and have a good JV partner. so, on the ground holdings I would have to say a ratio of 2:1. The Springfield area is considered by the SA Mines Dept to be a prime exploration target; "highly prospective" were their words.
However, diamond exploration anywhere in the world is a very slow business. There are additional problems in Australia because the indicator minerals get broken down by the extreme weathering conditions (unlike anywhere else in the world). Thus indicator mineral trails are much weaker and shorter.
Hope this helps, Aurum, Canberra, Australia. |
