31st Mar 2006 07:00
Positive Micro-Diamond Results Received from DO-18 Kimberlite Pipe, WO Diamond Project, NWT, Canada Bulk Sample of DO-18 Planned for Summer 2006 Shares issued and outstanding: 128,343,101 TSX: SDM AIM: SRE TORONTOand LONDON, UK, March 30 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Diamonds Inc. (TSX: SDM; AIM: SRE) is pleased to announce that it has received fromPeregrine Diamonds Ltd, operating partner of the WO Project Joint Venture, theresults of caustic fusion analysis of micro-diamond samples by theSaskatchewan Research Council ("SRC") from 6 core holes drilled into the plus3.5 hectare DO-18 kimberlite pipe, WO Diamond Project, NWT, Canada. The results, together with the close proximity of DO-18 to the DO-27kimberlite pipe, are sufficiently encouraging to allow for the collection of amini-bulk sample at DO-18 this summer to gain a better understanding of thegrade and diamond quality of this kimberlite. More information regarding theDO-18 sampling program will be released when the plans and permits arefinalized. The DO-18 kimberlite is located approximately 700 meters north of theplus nine hectare DO-27 kimberlite, which is currently undergoing a large bulksampling program. Drilling and detailed core logging by Peregrine suggeststhat the DO-18 kimberlite is composed of 4 main kimberlite phases, all ofwhich are distinct from those in DO-27. KIMB-1 is volumetrically the most significant kimberlite unit in DO-18,comprising approximately 70% of the pipe infill and located primarily in thenorthern and central part of the pipe. This rock is classified asvolcaniclastic kimberlite, possibly pyroclastic in origin. KIMB-2 isvolumetrically the second most significant kimberlite unit in DO-18,comprising approximately 20% of the pipe infill and observed primarily in thesouthern part of the pipe. This unit is very similar to KIMB-1, but containssignificantly more mud in the matrix, giving the kimberlite a brown colour. Itis classified as a volcaniclastic kimberlite, and both pyroclastic and re-sedimentation process likely were important in the deposition of this unit.KIMB-3 is a volumetrically minor unit, comprising approximately 5% of thepipe, and is observed as layers within the KIMB-1 unit in the northern part ofthe pipe. It is mud-rich and is likely a re-sedimented kimberlite. The fourthunit, termed OTHER-KIMB, is also volumetrically minor, comprisingapproximately 5% of the pipe. It is present at the top of several drill holesin the northern part of the pipe. This unit is complex and is classified asvolcaniclastic kimberlite which may be re-sedimented. Material from the six core holes have been combined by geological unit togive a better understanding of the micro-diamond distribution within eachgeological unit and the results are as follows: -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- UNIT KIMB-1 KIMB-2 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Lower Sieve Total Stones Total Carats Total Stones Total Carats -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +4.75 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +3.35 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +2.36 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +1.70 mm 1 0.052775 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +1.18 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.85 mm 1 0.00694 3 0.042405 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.60 mm 18 0.06404 9 0.03742 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.425 mm 39 0.05489 7 0.012305 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.300 mm 64 0.02951 26 0.012865 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.212 mm 168 0.031365 55 0.00994 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.150 mm 337 0.022185 106 0.007015 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.106 mm 547 0.01406 203 0.005185 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.075 mm 885 0.009215 307 0.00319 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Total 2060 0.28498 716 0.130325 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Sample Weight (kg) 703.30 240.75 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Stones per kg 2.93 2.97 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- UNIT KIMB-3 OTHER KIMB ------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Lower Sieve Total Stones Total Carats Total Stones Total Carats -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +4.75 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +3.35 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +2.36 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +1.70 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +1.18 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.85 mm 0 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.60 mm 1 0.00488 0 0 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.425 mm 2 0.003975 1 0.000785 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.300 mm 3 0.001555 13 0.00625 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.212 mm 11 0.001805 17 0.00306 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.150 mm 20 0.00149 25 0.001675 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.106 mm 24 0.00062 34 0.000905 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- +0.075 mm 43 0.000395 60 0.000765 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Total 104 0.01472 150 0.01344 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Sample Weight (kg) 48.00 55.30 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Stones per kg 2.17 2.71 -------------------------------------------- --------------------------- The presence of significant quantities of micro-diamonds at DO-18together with DO-18's proximity to DO-27, and the potential for the discoveryof additional kimberlite bodies between DO-27 and DO-18, continues to enhancethe potential of the WO Diamond Project. The project partners look forward tothe results of bulk samples from both the DO-27 and DO-18 pipes. Peregrine's diamond exploration programs are conducted under thedirection of Dr. Jennifer Pell, Vice President Exploration, P. Geo., (BC),P.Geo. (NT/NU), a qualified person under NI 43-101. SouthernEra holds a 4.9% interest in the WO Diamond Project. SouthernEra Diamonds is one of Canada's largest fully integrated diamondcompanies with extensive diamond exploration in five countries includingCanada, Gabon, the DRC, Zimbabwe and South Africa. This represents one of themost active global diamond exploration programs after the majors DeBeers, BHPBand RioTinto. The Company also operates the Klipspringer Diamond Mine inSouth Africa and maintains an 18 percent free-carried interest in the CamafucaDiamond Project in Angola. Some statements contained in this news release are forward-looking and,therefore, involve uncertainties or risks that could cause actual results todiffer materially. Such forward-looking statements include comments regardingexploration work. Actual results could differ materially from thoseanticipated. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-lookingstatements. For further information: SouthernEra Diamonds Inc., Howard Bird, SeniorVice President Exploration, or Sharon Allan, Investor Relations, Telephone:(416) 359-9282, Fax: (416) 359-9141, E-mail: inbox(at)southernera.com,www.southernera.com; London: 4C-Burvale, Carina Corbett, 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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