Thursday, October 31, 2013

Synthetic diamonds recovered from parcels



Diamantaires in Indian diamond industry are reeling under shock after a large number of synthetic diamonds were recovered from diamond parcels sold to two big companies.

Sources in the market said that a Japanese client of a DTC sightholder company has sent back the diamond parcel after half of the stones were detected as 'synthetic'. Similarly, another Mumbai-based company received around 50 per cent of synthetic stones in parcel sold by a local trader. A total of 30 to 50 carat of synthetic diamonds were mixed with the parcels of original diamonds.

Sources that synthetic stones are mixed in diamond parcels of the natural polished and they are in circulation. Since it is very difficult to detect synthetic diamonds, the merchants cannot not identify the synthetic stones and sell it to the big and medium export companies.

The mixing of synthetic stones is mostly done in small sized stones known as 'stars' and 'melee'. These types of diamonds have a huge market in Japan, US and India.

"We are yet to confirm the issue. There are messages about the synthetic stones being recovered from the natural diamond parcels," said an office-bearer of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Vipul Shah, chairman of GJEPC, was not available for comments.

The Australia based DCLA is the only Laboratory that guarantees all diamonds have been tested and are natural.

Monday, October 28, 2013

WFDB Warns of Not Disclosing Synthetic Diamonds

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has noted with concern the growing tendency of undisclosed synthetic diamonds to enter the market. While the WFDB acknowledges that synthetic diamonds have a place in the market, they must not be confused with or marketed as natural diamonds. It has been the policy of the WFDB that synthetic gems must be declared and as such the Federation will have a zero-tolerance approach towards individuals or companies who do not abide by this.

As the industry and the WFDB work hard to protect the reputation of diamonds, the Federation has put out an official warning that it will not stand for the passing off of synthetics as natural. During the organization’s executive meeting in London, which took place last week, a unanimous decision was made to take severe action against any member who is found to knowingly misrepresent or fail to disclose synthetic diamonds.
Members of the diamond industry need to understand that they are personally responsible for what they sell, which is why it is of the utmost importance to know your supplier and the legitimacy of their product whether it is ensuring they are Kimberley Process compliant or disclosing synthetics.
The law is clear and the punishment for fraud will be pursued. The WFDB will work with all legal agencies across the globe to assist in the prosecution of those who participate in this type of fraud in the diamond industry.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Surge in Value of Zim Diamonds Forecast

Zimbabwe's diamonds is expected to rise significantly owing to the re-engagement between Harare and the Antwerp World Diamond Council.

Resumption of trade with AWDC - which has about 2 000 traders of the gems -- should see demand for diamonds surge and consequently, the value as there would be more buyers on the market.
The visiting AWDC top leadership held a series of meetings with three Government ministers yesterday to concretise resumption of trade in diamonds between Zimbabwe and the Belgium-based organisation.
They held meetings with Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha and officials from the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation and Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
Both the AWDC leadership and Zimbabwean authorities were agreed that the lifting of illegal sanctions against ZMDC would boost the value of diamonds extracted in Zimbabwe, spawning economic boom.
The boom is underpinned by the fact that Zimbabwe's diamonds would now be exposed to about 2 000 buyers under the Antwerp network.
Zimbabwean authorities are now expected to leave for Brussels soon to concretise the deals and interact with some of the diamond traders under the AWDC diamond network that boasts of 550 years of experience in the precious stones.
Speaking at a business lunch yesterday, AWDC chief executive officer, Mr Ari Epstein acknowledged that sanctions had the effect of undervaluing Zimbabwe's diamonds, thereby prejudicing the country of revenue.
"We are truly convinced that the Zimbabwean diamonds are today sold significantly below their market value. Backed by more than 550 years of expertise and a critical mass of buyers and sellers, we can guarantee an optimal and transparent pricing mechanism," said Mr Epstein.
He pledged to have a mutually beneficial trading arrangement with Zimbabwe.
"Honourable ministers, it is for all of us a new beginning. You represent the new team governing Zimbabwe, and from our part a renewed engagement. We look forward to trade within a new dynamic, by ensuring long term and mutually beneficial relationship between Antwerp and Zimbabwe, a relationship in which our experience, standards and knowledge are shared and put to the benefit of an optimal value for Zimbabwe," he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Minister Chidhakwa said the new partnership that had been conceived, would trigger higher value of Zimbabwe's diamonds.
"I agree that the pricing, the valuation of our diamonds, for one reason or the other is really not what the world expects of us and we also do not expect that of ourselves. We hope that we can improve our valuation and certainly the fact that we have been removed from sanctions, now give us a wider group of buyers, business people who will not hesitate to come to us because they know that they are dealing with Zimbabwean people who are not under sanctions," he said.
Minister Chidhakwa said he hoped that the EU, with the assistance of World Diamond Council would remove all the remaining sanctions on Zimbabwe so that it trades freely in every sector.
He commended AWDC for showing confidence in Zimbabwe, saying its decision was premised on the full compliance of Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme by Zimbabwean firms and the free, fair and credible July 31 2013 election.
Minister Chidhakwa also paid tribute on AWDC for putting up a fight on behalf of Zimbabwe to have sanctions removed on ZMDC.
"We want to ensure that beyond meeting the KPCS requirement, to secure the sector, to ensure that the process by which our diamonds are mined, marketed and logistically moved to other countries has the same level of transparency as those marketed elsewhere in the world," he said.
Minister Chidhakwa told the AWDC that Zimbabwe had indeed held free, fair and credible election, so much that all political players were agreed that the polls were peaceful.
He said with the lifting of sanctions on the trade of diamonds, the sale of the precious commodity would be done in a mutually beneficial way.
"We recognise the importance of our partners, the people we do business with. They are not here just to be friends with us, they are here to make business, make money for themselves, to run profitable businesses and therefore we want them to benefit from the ventures," he said.
"But we also, as representatives of the Zimbabwean people, as a Government, we want the Zimbabwean people to begin to say, yes this country is endowed with diamonds and we are feeling the positive benefits of the diamonds."
MMCZ chairperson, Mrs Juliet Machoba said the lifting of sanctions would now open them up to 1800 diamond traders.
"We will have a much bigger exposure of markets as opposed to the situation we had," she said.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Diamcor Mining Sells First Large Gem Quality Diamond for US $817,920


The diamond was sold as part of a total sale of 2,654.63 carats of rough diamonds generating total proceeds of $1,145,604.68 (US), or $431.55 (US) per carat from the Company’s Krone-Endora at Venetia Project .  The majority of rough diamonds sold were recovered in conjunction with ongoing testing and commissioning exercises on the lower-grade upper zone material in the +1.2mm to -12.0mm size fractions.  Despite the fact the lower-grade upper zone material is expected to produce lower value and smaller size stones, the value per carat achieved from the sale of these diamonds exceeded the Company’s expectations.  The remaining diamonds, including the 91.72 carat stone, came from the limited processing of material in the +12.0mm to -26.0mm size fractions.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

IGI Spotlights Synthetic Identification, Batch Testing Services

In light of the recent trade alert reporting that “large amounts of synthetic lab grown diamonds are being mixed with natural diamonds in parcels of melee and pointers,” the International Gemological Institute (IGI) is emphasizing its well-established synthetic identification services.
IGI currently offers batch testing of diamonds (synthetic versus natural) on an individual basis. The Institute utilizes advanced equipment – including De Beers DiamondSureTM  and DiamondViewTM machines – to assist in synthetic determinations.
 
“This is an issue that not only affects all aspects of the diamond industry, but ultimately hurts consumer trust,” said IGI's president and CEO, Jerry Ehrenwald. “The trade has a responsibility to remain vigilant and now – more than ever – synthetic detection technology and services are of utmost importance.”
A consumer-focused organization, IGI emphasizes education and imparting knowledge, which leads to greater transparency and ultimately increases consumer confidence. The Institute has been monitoring the growth of synthetic diamonds for decades through its diamond research laboratory division and officially launched its IGI Laboratory Grown Diamond Report in January 2007.

About IGI
news
IGI was established in 1975 and is currently the world’s largest independent laboratory for testing and grading gemstones and fine jewelry with offices in Antwerp, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto, Los Angeles, Kolkata, New Delhi, Surat, Chennai, Thrissur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Cavaleze and Shanghai. IGI has received ISO accreditation in many countries. A certificate from IGI represents the all-important 5th C that no one should be without: Confidence. IGI is a standard of excellence for industry professionals and consumers around the globe.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Canadian Approves Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine

De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds are pleased to announce that the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Hon. Bernard Valcourt, has today approved the development of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine as recommended by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.

Tony Guthrie, Chief Executive Officer for De Beers Canada, commented:  "The Minister's approval confirms that the plans for the development and operation of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine meet the highest standards. The new diamond mine will benefit the economy and residents of the Northwest Territories and enhance Canada's position as a premier diamond producer."

Federal government approval allows the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board to commence processing of the applications for the Land Use Permit and Water License required to construct and operate the Gahcho Kué mine.

Patrick Evans, Mountain Province President and CEO, added: "Gahcho Kué has gone through the most comprehensive environmental review of any mining project in the Northwest Territories. Through this process, consultation with stakeholders has been extensive. The shareholders of Mountain Province now look forward to an efficient and timely completion of the remaining regulatory process, which is necessary to ensure the optimal development of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine".

Gahcho Kué will employ close to 700 people during the two years of construction and close to 400 people during its operations phase.  It is forecast to produce an average of 4.5 million carats annually over the eleven year mine life.  Gahcho Kué is a joint venture between De Beers (51%) and Mountain Province Diamonds (49%) and is located 280 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Given the expected timing for the issuance of a land use permit to enable pioneer work to commence, which requires approximately 42 days for processing, as well as the impact of the winter ice road on logistics, the joint venture is currently reassessing the Gahcho Kué development plan to determine the optimal development schedule. In addition, the joint venture is also updating the 2010 Gahcho Kué feasibility study and expects to announce the results of an Optimization Study early in the New Year. Further details will be announced as they become available.

About De Beers Group of Companies
De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world's leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 23,000 people (directly and as contractors) across the diamond pipeline, and is the world's largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company's operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth.

About Mountain Province Diamonds
Mountain Province Diamonds discovered the first kimberlite at Kennady Lake in 1995 and in 1997 entered into a joint venture with Monopros, a subsidiary of De Beers. Mountain Province is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kué JV located in Canada's Northwest Territories.  Gahcho Kué is the world's largest and richest new diamond mine development. A December 2010 feasibility study filed by Mountain Province (available on SEDAR) indicates that the Gahcho Kué project has an IRR of 33.9%.

De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds (TSX: MPV, NYSE MKT: MDM) are pleased to announce that the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Hon. Bernard Valcourt, has today approved the development of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine as recommended by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.
Tony Guthrie, Chief Executive Officer for De Beers Canada, commented:  "The Minister's approval confirms that the plans for the development and operation of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine meet the highest standards. The new diamond mine will benefit the economy and residents of the Northwest Territories and enhance Canada's position as a premier diamond producer."
Federal government approval allows the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board to commence processing of the applications for the Land Use Permit and Water License required to construct and operate the Gahcho Kué mine.
Patrick Evans, Mountain Province President and CEO, added: "Gahcho Kué has gone through the most comprehensive environmental review of any mining project in the Northwest Territories. Through this process, consultation with stakeholders has been extensive. The shareholders of Mountain Province now look forward to an efficient and timely completion of the remaining regulatory process, which is necessary to ensure the optimal development of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine".
Gahcho Kué will employ close to 700 people during the two years of construction and close to 400 people during its operations phase.  It is forecast to produce an average of 4.5 million carats annually over the eleven year mine life.  Gahcho Kué is a joint venture between De Beers (51%) and Mountain Province Diamonds (49%) and is located 280 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
Given the expected timing for the issuance of a land use permit to enable pioneer work to commence, which requires approximately 42 days for processing, as well as the impact of the winter ice road on logistics, the joint venture is currently reassessing the Gahcho Kué development plan to determine the optimal development schedule. In addition, the joint venture is also updating the 2010 Gahcho Kué feasibility study and expects to announce the results of an Optimization Study early in the New Year. Further details will be announced as they become available.
About De Beers Group of Companies
De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world's leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 23,000 people (directly and as contractors) across the diamond pipeline, and is the world's largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company's operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About Mountain Province Diamonds
Mountain Province Diamonds discovered the first kimberlite at Kennady Lake in 1995 and in 1997 entered into a joint venture with Monopros, a subsidiary of De Beers. Mountain Province is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kué JV located in Canada's Northwest Territories.  Gahcho Kué is the world's largest and richest new diamond mine development. A December 2010 feasibility study filed by Mountain Province (available on SEDAR) indicates that the Gahcho Kué project has an IRR of 33.9%. Further information is available at www.mountainprovince.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the "safe-harbour" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding Mountain Province's business. Actual results could differ materially from those described in this news release as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside the control of the Company. 

Read more at http://www.stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2013/10/22/canadian-federal-government-approves-gahcho-ku%C3%A9-diamond-mine-development#WOzF5JdMkVBf4WRI.99

Monday, October 21, 2013

Oklahoma Teenager Finds 3.85-Carat Canary Diamond

When Oklahoma teenager Tana Clymer heard about a young boy who'd found a 5-carat diamond at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this year, she wanted to try her luck.
Tana, 14, and her parents traveled to the park, an eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater and the only diamond-bearing site open to the public, from their Oklahoma City home. She had been digging and sifting through dirt in the 37-acre park for about two hours when something caught her eye.
"I thought it was a piece of paper or foil from a candy wrapper," Tana said, according to the Arkansas State Parks website.
It was a jellybean-size, teardrop-shaped, yellow stone.
"Then, when I touched it, I thought it was a marble," she said. "I think God pointed me to it. I was about to sprint to join my family, and God told me to slow down and look. Then I found the diamond."
PHOTO: Tana Clymer, 14, of Oklahoma City, Okla., found a 3.85-carat canary diamond at Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park on Oct. 19, 2013.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Tana Clymer, 14, of Oklahoma City, Okla., found a 3.85-carat canary diamond at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park on Oct. 19, 2013.
Tana said she said a prayer of thanks and named her diamond the God's Jewel diamond.
Park experts evaluated the diamond and told her it was a 3.85-carat canary diamond. The park has a finder-keepers policy, so the diamond is Tana's to keep.
"No two diamonds are alike, and each diamond finder's story is unique, too," assistant park superintendent Bill Henderson said in a statement.
"What an experience for Tana to remember the rest of her life," he said. "Tana told me that she was so excited she couldn't sleep last night. She's either going to keep the diamond for a ring, or if it's worth a lot, she'll want that for college."
Tana's is the 396th diamond found so far this year in the park. More than 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the site since 1906. Other semi-precious stones and minerals, including amethysts, garnets and quartz, are also there for the finding.
In August, 12-year-old Michael Dettlaff of North Carolina found a 5.16 carat diamond at the same park, which was the 27th largest diamond a park has found since Arkansas' diamond site became a state park in 1972.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Police Seize 61 Diamonds in Lunda Sul Province Angola

The Angolan National Police, through the provincial directorate of criminal investigation, seized 61 diamonds in the third quarter of the current year, in the eastern Lunda Sul Province.
 
The information was given to ANGOP last Friday in Saurimo City by the head of the department of fight against illegal traffic of precious stones and metals, Domingo Choeta, who also revealed that during the operation the corporation detained several national and foreign citizens.
According to the official, the detained citizens were involved in activities of illegal exploration and trafficking of diamonds in the region.
"In possession of these delinquents we found 61 diamonds of 32 karats, estimated at USD 4000 each. The same individuals also had three false diamonds" he explained.
Domingos Choeta guaranteed that the police will double efforts to fight and dissuade illegal trafficking and exploration of diamonds in the province.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Where is Zimbabwe's diamonds money?

Despite living in an impoverished country under sanctions, some in Zimbabwe seem awash in money, judging by the Mercedes-Benzes parked at a country club and the private woodland estate with artificial lake and mansion built by the nation's police chief.
 Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. (File, AFP)
The wealth enjoyed by just a few comes, at least in part, from the vast Marange diamond field that was exposed by an earth tremor in 2006. The deposit in eastern Zimbabwe is the biggest diamond field found in Africa for a century, worth billions of dollars.
Now, as most Zimbabweans remain mired in poverty, with government coffers short on funds to build and maintain the nation's roads, clinics, utility services and schools, questions are being asked as to where all the money went and who benefited.
A recent bipartisan parliamentary investigation concluded that tens of millions of dollars in diamond earnings are missing from 2012 alone. The lawmakers who wrote the unprecedented and unusually candid report said their "worst fears were confirmed" by evidence of "underhand dealings" and diamond smuggling since 2009.
In a speech opening parliament on 17 September, President Robert Mugabe took the rare step of accusing one top mining official and ruling party loyalist of accepting a $6m bribe from Ghanaian investors to obtain diamond mining rights in Marange. Mugabe said Godwills Masimirembwa took the bribe when he was head of the state Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation which is in charge of mining concessions.
Masimirembwa quit that post to contest the 31 July national election as a candidate for Mugabe's Zanu-PF party but failed to win a parliament seat. Masimirembwa denies any wrongdoing.
The parliamentary report and a human rights group say diamond mining has led to serious human rights abuses and that diamond concessions were awarded by government officials to enrich top members of the Zanu-PF party, of the security forces and Chinese allies.
In declaring his innocence, Masimirembwa said the purported deal with the Ghanaian investors was discussed with national Police Chief Augustine Chihuri and then Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, a longtime business associate of Masimirembwa who is also one of the nation's wealthiest businessmen.
Chihuri and Mpofu have frequently insisted in the state media that their wealth comes from legitimate business empires to make up for poor salaries paid for full-time government duties.
Expected revenues from the Marange diamond fields have scarcely materialised.
Former Zimbabwe Finance Minister Tendai Biti says he was promised $600m for economic and development projects from diamond revenues last year but only received $41m. Nothing was paid into the national treasury up to the disputed July elections that the Zanu-PF won, a vote result that caused the end of a coalition government with the MDC party that Biti belonged to, and the loss of his Cabinet seat.
About $2bn in Zimbabwe's diamond revenues have been unaccounted for since 2008, according to Global Witness, which campaigns against natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated environmental and human rights abuses.
Zimbabwe is the world's fourth-largest diamond miner, producing an estimated 17 million carats this year, according to the Kimberley Process which is charged with ensuring that gems reaching world markets don't bear the taint of being "blood diamonds".
Marange diamonds have been declared conflict free.
But controversy and secrecy have swirled around Marange since the earth opened up and exposed its riches.
The discovery lured thousands of impoverished Zimbabweans to dig in the alluvial deposit. In 2008, the Zimbabwean army sealed off the 60 000ha area to take control of the mining. At least 200 people died in a mass expulsion of people living in the closed area, Global Witness and other rights groups have alleged.
Chinese construction contractors built an airfield at the Marange diamond fields. Executive planes arrive there and at a bonded warehouse alongside the runway at Harare's main airport, without traceable flight plans or having to go through customs and immigration formalities, say commercial pilots who say they have complained of the irregularities to aviation authorities. They insisted on anonymity because of fears for their safety.
Some are living high from diamond deals.
As children begged in the street a block away, Zimbabwean diamond company executives accompanied by elegant young women arrived at a popular Harare nightclub last year, ordered drinks for about 120 patrons and picked up the $ 4 000 tab, said a person who witnessed the scene and who demanded anonymity to prevent reprisals.
The identities of owners, directors and shareholders in diamond enterprises have never been officially disclosed, though the Zimbabwe Republic Police Trust, a business enterprise of the police force, is publicly listed as holding a 20% stake in the Ghanaian diamond investment project.
The parliamentary panel's report said powerful officials, politicians and police and army commanders repeatedly tried to thwart the probe into diamond dealings. The chair of the 22-member panel, Edward Chindori-Chininga, a former Mugabe mines minister, died in a car crash just days after he signed the report in June.
Police said Chindori-Chininga's death was accidental and that his car had veered off the highway and slammed into trees.
Car wrecks or mysterious accidents have taken the lives of 12 senior politicians, all of whom were believed to have bucked official policy, in the past two decades, according to local press reports.
The parliamentary committee's report said several officials lied while giving evidence under subpoena and that diamond earnings are not only shielded from scrutiny but are not channelled into the state coffers. It said the Marange fields in particular are a no-go area, shrouded in secrecy and deception. The mining companies don't even buy food or services from surrounding communities, the report said.
Mugabe's government and Zanu-PF have repeatedly denied diamond revenues have been siphoned off.
But Global Witness says otherwise.
"Our research has exposed links between Zimbabwe's two largest diamond mining companies and the Zimbabwean military and other Zanu-PF insiders," said Emily Armistead, senior campaigner for Global Witness.
"It is not clear where the money is going," she added. "It appears there is a mixture of corruption enriching specific individuals and some funds going to security operations. Our concern is that it could be used to fund repression and human rights abuses."
The difficulty with monitoring diamond earnings lies in the "opaque" way the mining enterprises were formed and financed, said Zimbabwean economist John Robertson. Information on their expenditure, profits and staff levels have not been divulged, he said.
"You are not allowed to know what is going on and if you need to know that amounts to attempted espionage," Robertson said.
So far, no legal action has been taken against Masimirembwa, the man accused by Mugabe.
And despite widespread reports since September in the Zimbabwean press that other top political and military figures would likely be exposed, so far none has.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Pangolin Diamonds believes it has discovered one of the largest kimberlites ever

Pangolin Diamonds on Wednesday announced that it had discovered what it believes to be one of the largest-ever kimberlite pipes in the world at its Tsabong North project, in Botswana.
 
The company said it had modelled the kimberlite at 270 ha, making it comparable wit the Se251 kimberlite in Angola that measures 220 ha, the MK1 kimberlite in Botswana that measures 180 ha, and the Mwadui kimberlite in Tanzania, which measures 146 ha.
The new discovery stemmed from Pangolin’s discovery earlier this year of two kimberlites, Magi-01 and Magi-02, at the project. These kimberlites were found to be part a single intrusive complex, after the company submitted aeromagnetic data for an independent National Instrument 43-101-compliant review by South Africa-based Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics, of Pretoria.
Based on these observations, Pangolin drilled a new hole between the Magi-01 and Magi-02 kimberlites. The new hole intersected the same sandy tuffs recognised in the two previous drill holes, confirming that the Magi-kimberlite was a single large body and not two smaller kimberlites, as previously believed.
The Magi-kimberlite had now been confirmed over a distance of 1 200 m in an east-west direction. The average depth at which the crater facies sediments were intersected was about 35 m. The depths of intersection of the sandy tuffs vary between 55.3 m and 61.5 m.
Pangolin said further work would start shortly, with seven additional holes laid out for core drilling to determine the final size of the Magi-kimberlite. Each hole would intersect at least 100 m of kimberlite to recover any additional indicator minerals, and any diamonds.
“The geophysical models available to Pangolin strongly suggest the potential for discovering additional very large kimberlites in the Tsabong North project area,” Pangolin chairperson Dr Leon Daniels

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Paragon Diamonds awarded Mining Licence


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Paragon Diamonds Limited, the African-focused diamond development company, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a Mining Licence by the Lesotho Ministry of Mines for its 85% owned Lemphane Kimberlite project in Lesotho.
The Licence was approved and signed by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. Tlali Khasu MP, and received by the Company on 11October 2013. The Licence was issued in terms of Section 33 of the terms of the Mines and Minerals Act of 2005 and is for a duration of 10 years until 9 October 2023, and is renewable. The Licence is issued subject to the conditions of Section 59 (royalty) and Section 63 (fees) of the Act, and in accordance with the approved Programme of Mining.
The approved Programme of Mining is premised on a two year 'Stage 1' mine plan of 540,000 tonnes per annum, followed by an eight year 'Stage 2' mine plan of 3,000,000 tonnes per annum for an initial open-pit life of ten years.
The Company will provide an operational update shortly on the implementation of the 'Stage 1' mine plan, which is considerably enlarged from the original 200,000 tonnes annually thereby shortening the development path.
Negotiations regarding Government participation and royalty, as provided for under Section 44 and Sections 60/61 of the Act, are on-going at this time and expected to be in-line with other licences awarded to other mining operations in the region.
Stephen Grimmer, Managing Director of Paragon, commented:
"The award of the Mining Licence, following two years of considerable exploration and development work on the Lemphane Kimberlite, is a major milestone and step forward for the Company. I wish to express my thanks to our shareholders, staff, consultants and to the Basotho authorities for their support thus far. We now look forward to developing the Kingdom of Lesotho's newest diamond mine"
Martin Doyle, Chairman of Paragon, commented:
"The award of the Mining License is a significant event for the company and is the starting gun for the road to production. I am excited at the prospect of Paragon Diamonds becoming part of the select club of diamond producers in Lesotho. Our work to date indicates that The Lemphane Kimberlite has a potential multi-billion dollar resource. I look forward to the prospect of reporting on the recovery of exceptional gem diamonds for which the region is famous, such as the 12.47 carat blue diamond recovered from Letseng and recently sold by Gem Diamonds for a record $7.5m or $603,047 per carat."