13th Apr 2006 07:00
SouthernEra discovers new kimberlite on Monument Property, Northwest Territories, Canada - New kimberlite discovery core to be tested for diamonds - Microdiamond results expected during 2nd quarter from DD-17 kimberlite pipe drill tested in 2005 Shares Issued and Outstanding: 128,343,101 TSX: SDM AIM: SRE TORONTO and LONDON, April 12 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Diamonds Inc. (the"Company") (TSX: SDM, AIM: SRE) is pleased to report a new kimberlitediscovered in the first drill hole of the spring 2006 program on the MonumentProject in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Diamond drill hole MON06-001,inclined -45 degrees and oriented at 178 degrees Azimuth, intersectedvolcaniclastic kimberlite between 43.7 and 99.0 meters. Drilling targeted acoincident geophysical high frequency MaxMin EM response and magnetic anomaly.The kimberlite, named RIP, is mineralized with pyrope, chrome diopside, andmacrocrystic olivine in a dark grey fine grained matrix. Carbonized wood ispresent which suggests a favourable kimberlite emplacement age similar toeconomic kimberlites in the area. A second drill hole is underway to determinethe pipe's dimensions to the west. The Monument property is located on the south shore of Lac De Gras, NWTwithin the same kimberlite emplacement corridor that hosts the Ekati DiamondMine (operated by BHP Billiton) located 40 kilometers from Monument. Inaddition to the current drilling program, a detailed 25 meter line spacedground magnetic survey covering most of the property is underway and groundgravity surveys to enhance airborne gravity anomalies and explore forkimberlite at the head of a subtle kimberlite indicator mineral train willcommence shortly. The current drill program is testing targets generated fromthe 2005 geophysical program and review of previous data. Any new targetsgenerated from the spring 2006 geophysical programs will be tested during2006. In 2005 the DD17 kimberlite pipe was drill tested and resampled. The corewas logged, split, and separated into 29 samples where it was sealed andsecurely stored prior to shipping to the laboratory. SRC GeoanalyticalLaboratories has reported that 464.64 kg were received intact, and is nowbeing processed by caustic fusion that will recover all diamonds larger than75 microns. Microdiamond analysis is also pending from the kimberlite, DD42East, discovered during the 2005 drill program. Results are expected duringthe 2nd Quarter, 2006. The Monument Project is owned 22.11% by SouthernEra Diamonds Inc, 57.49%by New Nadina Explorations Limited and 20.4% by Archon Minerals Ltd. Theproject is operated by New Nadina, under supervision of Mr. K. R. Kivi,P.Geol., an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Field operations are conducted by SouthernEra Diamonds' experiencedexploration team under supervision of Uwe Naeher, P.Geol. Mr. Kivi hasreviewed the content of this news release. In addition to the new kimberlitediscovery announced today, the Monument property hosts three diamond-bearingkimberlite pipes (DD17, DD39 and DD42) and two kimberlite dykes (DD2002 andDD42 East Dyke). SouthernEra Diamonds is one of Canada's fully integrated diamondcompanies with extensive alluvial and kimberlite diamond exploration in theDRC as well as other countries including Canada, Gabon, Zimbabwe and SouthAfrica. The Company also holds the Klipspringer Diamond Mine in South Africaand maintains an 18 percent free-carried interest in the Camafuca DiamondProject in Angola. For further information: SouthernEra Diamonds Inc., Mr. Howard M. Bird,Senior Vice President, Exploration, or Ms. Sharon Allan, Investor Relations,Telephone: (416) 359-9282, Fax: (416) 359-9141, E-mail:inbox(at)southernera.com, www.southernera.com; London: 4C-Burvale, CarinaCorbett, Director, Telephone: ++44 (0) 207-907-4761, Fax: ++44 (0) 207-907-4769, Email: Corbett(at)4c-burvale.co.uk (SRE) ENDSOUTHERNERA DIAMONDS INCRelated Shares:
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