Star Diamond Corporation announced recently that Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC) has commenced activities in the Fort à la Corne diamond district of central Saskatchewan, Canada, on mineral dispositions held 100 per cent by Star Diamond. These programmes have been initiated in preparation for the bulk sample drilling programme scheduled to commence on the Star-Orion South Diamond Project in 2018.

As part of this, the Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) drilling programme began recently on the Star Kimberlite. “This CSM drilling program is intended to stabilise the unconsolidated sand overburden for each of the planned ten bulk sample holes on the Star Kimberlite,” the Corporation explained. “Following the stabilisation programme, RTEC aim to use a Bauer BC 50 Cutter mounted on a Bauer MC 128 Duty-cycle Crane (Trench Cutter Sampling Rig) to drill and sample to depths of up to 250 metres below surface. Each ten metres of advance down hole aims to excavate some 100 tonnes of kimberlite.”

Apart from this, RTEC has also established an on-site 90 person camp, on-site office, communications and security facilities; has upgraded forest access roads to facilitate the mobilisation and transport of the large equipment required for RTEC’s programmes; and also established lay down areas for the assembly of the CSM drilling equipment, Trench Cutter Sampling Rig and associated bentonite plant and desanding unit, and completed    the bentonite recycling area and the preparation of the area for the new sample processing plant.

Senior Vice President Exploration and Development, George Read, states: “Star Diamond Corporation is encouraged by the level of activity on site and the pace at which tasks are being completed in preparation for the bulk sample drilling program on the Corporation’s Star Kimberlite. We have been informed by RTEC that the Trench Cutter Sampling Rig has been manufactured, tested and shipped from Germany to Canada and is currently being assembled on site. RTEC has indicated that it is presently on schedule for commencement of bulk sample drilling during 2018. RTEC has stated that the sample processing plant has been manufactured and tested in South Africa and is currently being shipped to Canada.”