30th Sep 2005 06:00
SouthernEra Recovers First Diamonds from its Alluvial Evaluation Programin the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Kimberlite Exploration Program Discovers Evidence of New Kimberlite Provinces Shares Issued and Outstanding: 112,279,101 TSX: SDM AIM: SRE TORONTO, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Diamonds Inc. ("the Company")(TSX: SDM, AIM: SRE) announced today that a 1.05 carat stone as well as alarge number of smaller diamonds have been recovered during the ongoingexploration testing of a portion of its alluvial project in the Tshikaparegion of the DRC. The aim of this first phase program is to locate highinterest diamond bearing gravel deposits by testing a selected number ofseparate sample sites along the course of the river. Within the project area atotal of 154.27 tonnes of active river channel gravel has been recovered andis currently being treated. To date partially treated samples have recovered506 diamonds (total 71.80 carats) from 5 of the 21 active channel explorationsample sites that have been tested. The final results will be reportedfollowing complete processing of the entire samples. At this stage the resultsinclude only the diamonds recovered from the fine fraction 2 to 4 mm meshscreen size, as the coarse fraction 4 to 16 mm mesh screen sizes will betreated through a diamond X-ray Flowsort machine which is in transit. Thetable below lists the results from the complete processing of the 2 to 4 mmsize fraction for 3 samples. Sample 11B and 11C are from basal gravels fromthe same sample site and sample 8 is from a separate sample site. Followingthe completion of the initial active river testing program, a parcel ofdiamonds will be evaluated to determine a dollar per carat value. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonnes Diamonds Carats ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2mm to 4mm fraction 2.89 164 20.35 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4mm to 10mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10mm to 16mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 10.44 Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample 11B ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2mm to 4mm fraction 2.15 142 22.90 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4mm to 10mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10mm to 16mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 5.21 Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample 11C ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2mm to 4mm fraction 1.41 104 18.25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4mm to 10mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10mm to 16mm fraction Results pending Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 2.87 Results pending Results pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition to the active river channels, significant diamond depositpotential exists within large alluvial flats occurring in the SouthernErapermit areas. The exploration of these floodplain deposits has commenced inone area with a large seismic geophysical survey. Seismic survey test-linescompleted earlier this year suggested that this geophysical method is capableof defining the bedrock topography underneath the flats. This survey shouldaid, with the assistance of drilling, in highlighting the locations of diamonddeposits within the alluvial flat system that will be bulk-sample tested in2006. Photographs of diamonds recovered from the Tshikapa project area samplesites may be viewed on the Company's website at www.southernera.com. SouthernEra's President and CEO Alasdair MacPhee said: "We are veryencouraged with the alluvial diamond results to date from an evaluationprogram that is in its infancy. It represents SouthernEra's first potentialnew source of diamonds since the Marsfontein Mine discovery in South Africa.With approximately 30 km of river frontage to evaluate, these early stageinitial results have encouraged SouthernEra to increase its investment in theplant and infrastructure in the DRC and further advance the program." In addition to the alluvial diamond program SouthernEra has an extensiveportfolio of exclusive primary diamond potential exploration permits covering13,600 square kilometers located within the diamond-rich Kasai Provinces ofthe DRC. The known kimberlites in this region are of exceptional size andgrade and this area is considered the world's most prospective new diamondexploration opportunity. The majority of the permits lie within a 'kimberliteemplacement corridor', which is underlain by Archean basement granite-gneissof the Congo Craton. The 2004 aeromagnetic geophysical survey generated numerous high prioritypipe-like targets and an ongoing program is testing selected targets withground magnetometer surveys and soil sampling for the recovery of kimberliticindicator minerals. Most samples are currently being processed but kimberliticilmenite and a micro-diamond have been recovered from 1 target thus far. Anadditional aeromagnetic survey, covering the remaining permit areas, isscheduled for 2006 together with the drill testing of positive targets. In 2005 reconnaissance stream sampling started in earnest within thepermits. High interest kimberlitic garnet (G10's) and kimberlitic ilmenitehave been recovered as well as microdiamonds. In some cases the positivedrainage basins have been subject to significant artisinal alluvial diamondmining activity, as well as historic commercial terrace mining by the Belgiummining company, Forminiere. A number of the high priority aeromagnetic targetsare located within some of the diamond positive drainage basins. Thekimberlitic ilmenite chemistry data collected to date from the region suggeststhat more than one kimberlite province is present. Mr. MacPhee added: "We have, over the past few months, been evaluatingvarious alternatives that would accelerate the alluvial and kimberliteprograms in the DRC, including discussions with major mining companies, inorder that the potential of these projects be realized as soon as possible." Mr. Uwe Naeher, Professional Geologist, is the qualified person under NI 43-101 responsible for the technical information in this release. Allstream and soil samples collected for the recovery of kimberlitic indicatorminerals are processed at SouthernEra's in-house diamond laboratory located inPolokwane, South Africa. The DRC is one of six countries in which SouthernEra is engaged inadvanced diamond exploration. Others include Canada, South Africa, Gabon,Zimbabwe, and Australia. This represents the fourth most active global diamondexploration program after the majors DeBeers, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. TheCompany also operates the Klipspringer Diamond Mine in South Africa andmaintains an 18 percent free-carried interest in the Camafuca Diamond Projectin 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; UKcontact: 4C-Burvale Ltd, Carina Corbett, John Carrick Smith, Tel:+44 (0)20 7907 4760/1, e-mail: corbett(at)4c-burvale.co.uk SDM. SRE ENDSOUTHERNERA DIAMONDS INCRelated Shares:
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