Botswana Diamonds PLC Free State Project - Eight Kimberlites Discovered (3762U)
October 24 2017 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMBOD
RNS Number : 3762U
Botswana Diamonds PLC
24 October 2017
24(th) October 2017
Botswana Diamonds PLC
("Botswana Diamonds" or the "Company")
Free State Project - Eight Kimberlites Discovered
The board of Botswana Diamonds (AIM: BOD) is pleased to provide
an update on the third Vutomi project in South Africa, the Free
State Project. The Free State is the central province of South
Africa, close to Kimberley.
Highlights:
-- Eight Group 1 kimberlites re-discovered. These are the type
of kimberlites found in Kimberley itself; and
-- Ground geophysical survey underway
Active exploration has commenced on the Free State Project which
consists of four Prospecting Rights covering 50,000 hectares of
ground within a kimberlite cluster, which has the iconic diamond
mines of Jagersfontein and Koffiefontein at its Eastern end and
Kimberley and Finsch at its Western extreme.
The Free State Project area was identified by Vutomi using
innovative means, involving identification of anomalies using
satellite imagery, and from evidence gathered from record archives
in Kimberley and Bloemfontein along with ground work follow up.
Using the identified anomalies as a base, research indicated that a
number of other diamond mines existed in this area for some time
prior to 1880 but that a significant economic recession at that
time resulted in their permanent curtailment. Most records of these
operations were destroyed in the course of the Anglo-Boer War in
1900. Anecdotal evidence indicates that very little, if any, modern
exploration technology has been applied to this highly prospective
area and this is supported by the landowners, whose families have
been in occupation of the properties for a number of
generations.
More detailed ground work has involved further field
observations and the collection of samples from the relevant sites
which have been subject to whole rock geochemistry tests by the
Council for Geosciences.
The results of these tests and observations confirm the
existence of eight Group 1 kimberlites. Extensive historical
working suggests that these kimberlites are diamondiferous.
A detailed ground geophysical survey is currently taking place
to assess the size of these kimberlites and the results of this
will be announced next month.
John Teeling, Chairman, commented, "The best place to find a
mine is where there is or was a mine. The Free State area was the
centre of world diamond mining over 100 years ago but has been
neglected. New technology and new ideas offers opportunities. This
approach is paying off for BOD with the re-discovery of 8
kimberlites. Now we have to see what opportunities exist for BOD.
Detailed ground geophysics is currently underway, the results of
which will be announced next month."
This release has been approved by James Campbell, Managing
Director of Botswana Diamonds plc, a qualified geologist
(Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the South African Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, a Fellow of Materials, Minerals and Mining with over
32-years' experience in the diamond sector.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014.
ENDS
Enquiries:
Botswana Diamonds PLC
John Teeling, Chairman +353 1 833 2833
James Campbell, Managing
Director +27 83 457 3724
Jim Finn, Director
Northland Capital Partners
Limited
David Hignell/Gerry Beaney
(Corporate Finance) +44 (0) 203 861 6625
John Howes (Broking)
Blytheweigh +44 (0) 207 138 3204
Camilla Horsfall +44 (0) 781 784 1793
Nick Elwes +44 (0) 783 185 1855
Teneo PSG
Luke Hogg +353 (0) 1 661 4055
Alan Tyrrell +353 (0) 1 661 4055
www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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