Botswana Diamonds has announced that kimberlite, identified by visual inspection, was intersected at shallow depth in two out of the three holes (30 to 33m and 36 to 39m) on Marsfontein in South Africa during its percussion drilling campaign on Thorny River and the contiguous Marsfontein project.

This kimberlite is believed to be associated with the high grade Marsfontein M1 pipe, the company stated, adding that further work is planned.

Elaborating on the exercise, the company said that two holes were drilled on the neighbouring Thorny River properties. Geological structures which are consistent with kimberlite emplacement were encountered in both holes. More detailed ground mapping and geophysics will better define targets for further drilling.

Environmental Authorisations have been granted over the remainder of the farm Marsfontein and over the farm Meinhardskraal. These areas include the M8 kimberlite fissure complex which is an extension of the Marsfontein M1 kimberlite pipe, Botswana Diamonds reported.