Photo courtesy De Beers Canada
Results are starting to come in for drill-testing initiatives being undertaken in a three-part exploration program at the Gahcho Kué mine. In one test, Mountain Province Diamonds (which co-owns the mine with De Beers Canada) has been exploring potential extensions to one of its kimberlite pipes, known as Hearne.
The tests indicate a kimberlite breccia 40 m (131 ft) below the surface links the pipe’s north and south lobes. From there, the breccia extends further into the Earth, going at least 220 m (722 ft) deeper.
Another exploration target is the corridor between two other kimberlite pipes (5034 and Tuzo). These tests focus strongly on areas that are also close to the North Pipe kimberlite. While drilling is still being conducted on this target, kimberlitic material has been found in the corridor both southwest of the North Pipe (toward 5034) and northeast of it (toward Tuzo).
The third goal of the project is to conduct testing on the ‘Curie target,’ a ground gravity anomaly found between the Tesla and Tuzo pipes. A kimberlite body has been found there, in the planned Tuzo pit’s northwest wall.
Further details on the latter two targets will be available once analysis is complete, which Mountain Province says will be soon.
“We are encouraged by the success of this near-mine exploration program,” said Stuart Brown, Mountain Province’s CEO. “The continued discovery of further kimberlite emplacement beyond the existing resource base is a positive development toward our goal of extending the defined mine life at Gahcho Kué.”
