Work Programs, Further Expansion of South African Diamond Project
POPLAR RESOURCES LTD ("PPX-V;PPLTF-L") - Work Programs, Further Expansion of South African Diamond Project
Gennen W. McDowall, President & CEO of Poplar Resources Ltd. (the "Company") is pleased to announce further details of its work programmes on the Aardvark diamond project in South Africa. In
another important development, the Company has acquired additional lands to add to the Aardvark property. This is the second major addition to Poplar's Aardvark property since the project was first
announced. The new farms will increase the length of fissures beyond the previously estimated length of 27 km.
The Aardvark diamond fissure/pipe project is part of the Theunissen Diamond Field in the Free State. In includes the Lovedale Mine, built to develop the Lovedale pipe and fissure, as well as the Thor pipe
and other parts of an extensive fissure system. The project is a Joint Venture with Savannah Diamondfields (Pty.).
The Lovedale Mine is being readied for a 300 tonne bulk sampling on a diamondiferous pipe that is part of the larger kimberlite swarm. The yellow ground was mined ruing the 1920s to a depth of 30 meters.
Historical documents indicate that this pipe was one of the richest in the Theunissen Diamondfield. In the 1960s a shaft was sunk to exploit the hypabyssal kimberlite, or "blue ground". This shaft is in
good condition and Poplar is now preparing the mine for re-opening. The environmental assessment report has been submitted and accepted and the required engineering inspections have been completed. A mining permit is expected within two weeks.
Over the past few weeks the property has been fenced and security systems installed, the existing head gear has been raised, a new hoist installed and a collar placed on the shaft. An electrical
generator has also been installed and powered up. Two pumps have been activated and de-watering of the shaft is now underway. Work on the adjoining fissures have also been carried out, including ground
magnetic surveys on the farm Wynandsfontein. Work is also being planned for the Thor pipe where published records report that 816.25 carats were recovered in 1912. In addition, a photo-geological
survey has been started on the entire Aardvark project area.
One of the main purposes of the bulk sampling program on the Lovedale Mine is to confirm previous bulk sampling on the hypabyssal portion of the Lovedale Pipe. Reports by D.J. Sandie and others indicate a grade of 25 cpht. This sampling was done at the 300' level where 450 loads of kimberlitic material was treated. The surface area of the pipe is approximately 3,000 sq meters. According to Sandie's report:
"Diamonds recovered were of exceptional quality and 50% of the recovery classified as high-quality gem stones. The largest diamond recovered reached 2.75 carat and a size percentage recovery is
estimated as follows:
(a) Above 2 carats 5%
(b) 1-2 carat 10%
(c) Below 1 carat 75%
(d) Low quality stones 10%
100%
J.W. Higgs, a consulting geologist who prepared a feasibility survey on the Lovedale Mine, noted that the "Diamonds recovered were of exceptional quality and 90% classified as high quality gemstones of
special colour white and blue white."
The shaft at the Lovedale Mine has two drives leading from it. One of these will be used for the bulk sampling of the pipe. The second will be used to sample the Lovedale kimberlite fissure which intersects the pipe. This fissure might be an extension of the fissure system on the adjoining Star Mine property, where grades of 50 cpht have been recovered.
It was previously reported, in a News Release dated April 22, 1998, that the Aardvark Project had been further expanded to include the diamondiferous Lovedale and Thor pipes. This same acquisition also
increased the overall possible length of the fissures associated with the project to 27 km in length.
Since that announcement, additional farms have been added to the project increasing the potential fissure bodies still further. No funds were spent or shares issued for these latest acquisitions, but
Poplar will expend funds to maintain the farms and explore the fissures.
Poplar announced on May 12, 1998 the raising of $1,325,000 to conduct the required work on Aardvark and other projects. TEL: (604) 718-5454
Gennen W. McDowall, President & CEO FAX: (604) 685-6341 TOLL FREE: 1-888-500-4587 INET:
www.poplar-res.com
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