SouthernEra Resources Limited
- Klipspringer Exploration Results
- Leopard Fissure Stoping Commences
- New 50 tph Treatment Plant to Start in March, 1999
TORONTO, Feb. 23 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Resources Limited (SUF-TSE) is
pleased to report exploration results on SouthernEra's 100% wholly-owned
Klipspringer project where stoping has commenced on the Leopard Fissure.
Klipspringer Exploration
------------------------
Current data suggest that the Leopard and the adjoining M-1 kimberlite
systems, separated by 9 kilometres, are part of a single 14.5 kilometre system
running through very hilly terrain. More than 8 kilometres of this system
occur on properties owned 100% by SouthernEra. Regional exploration anomalies
detected from kimberlite indicator grains and their mineral chemistry along
the strike length reveal high diamond interest.
At present the Leopard kimberlite system has been delineated along a 3
kilometre strike length. The eastern 1.55 kilometres (the Ingwe Section), has
an inferred resource of 1,980,000 tonnes from surface down to a level of 990
metres above sea level. The Ingwe Section is initially being developed at a
mountainous section commencing at 1,490 metre level and working to surface.
This upper section contains an undiluted resource of 361,500 tonnes grading 70
carats per hundred tonnes. Grades at fissure mines in South Africa tend to
remain constant with depth.
The western 1.45 kilometres (the Ndau Section), has an inferred resource
above the 1,360 metre level to surface of 700,000 tonnes. No grades have, as
yet, been established in this section, but independent petrographic analysis
reports that the Leopard fissure is similar throughout its present 3 kilometre
strike extent. Current drilling is at present firming up the resources in the
Ingwe and Ndau Sections.
The Klipspringer exploration programme is continuing to the west and the
north. A subtle, parallel, 20 kilometre long anomaly exists a few kilometres
to the north of the Leopard Fissure system. This is being followed-up with
detailed stream sediment and soil sampling.
Ingwe Fissure Stoping
---------------------
Stoping has commenced in the upper portion above the 1,490 metre level of
the Ingwe section of the Leopard fissure. Development of 3 adit haulages at 35
metre vertical elevations from each side of the Ingwe section started in
January to access the approximately 100 metre vertical extent of the fissure
above the 1,490 metre level. An underhand shrinkage stope is in production and
a longhole open stope will be trial-mined in April. Production from the Ingwe
section is planned to build up to 16,000 tonnes per month by December, 1999
and will be treated in SouthernEra's new 50 tph treatment plant.
New 50 tph Treatment Plant
--------------------------
A new 50 tph treatment plant has been built next to the current 100 tph
plant. The new plant has a separate front end incorporating crushing and
scrubbing, as well as its own 50 tph DMS section. Concentrates will be treated
through the existing recovery plant which utilizes x-ray technology,
state-of-the-art glove boxes and an acid plant (for cleaning diamonds) in an
extremely secure environment.
Commissioning of the new plant is in progress, and it is planned to treat
ore in March, 1999. Over the first four months, a 40,000 tonne bulk sample of
Marsfontein M-3 gravels and a 2,000 tonne bulk sample of M-3 kimberlite will
be processed. Thereafter, production ore from the Ingwe section of the Leopard
fissure will be treated, as well as additional bulk samples from the gravels
extending to the south of the Marsfontein M-1 pipe.
%SEDAR: 00004535E
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For further information: please contact: Christopher M.H. Jennings,
President, A. Lee Barker, Senior Vice-President, Kim Freeman, Vice-President,
Operations, Frank van de Water, Vice-President, Finance, Nicholas Sayce,
Investor Relations, Phone: (416) 359-9282, Fax: (416) 359-9141, e-mail:
inbox@southernera.com |
