Lithoquest Diamonds Inc. recently completed the first phase of the 2018 drill programme on its 100%-owned North Kimberley Diamond Project located in Western Australia.

“Drilling has ended at Targets 701, 702 and 1604,” the Company announced. “Phase two is scheduled to commence in approximately two weeks with drilling on Targets 1804 and 1805.”

However, the drilling progamme was not without its difficulties. Ground conditions prevented the truck mounted drill rig used in phase one of the programme from accessing two high-priority targets which were identified for the programme, Lithoquest said.

“A track mounted drill is being mobilised to site and is expected to arrive in the next two weeks,” the Company elaborated. “The new targets are characterised by coincident ground geophysical anomalies and are supported by the presence of kimberlite indicator minerals, including diamonds, from historic loam samples in the immediate vicinity of each target.”

Meanwhile, the Company completed work at two drill holes at Target 701. However, Lithoquest reported that no kimberlite was intersected in either hole. There is no explanation of the high interest indicator minerals earlier identified, and the Company says that additional kimberlite indicator mineral sampling and geophysical surveying will be required to determine the cause.

Another two holes were drilled at Target 702, where the Company has said it will “continue working” to investigate the micro-diamond and kimberlite indicator mineral occurrences. 

Also, one drill hole was completed at Target 1604. Again, no kimberlite was intersected and Lithoquest said “further kimberlite indicator mineral sampling and geophysical surveying will be required to determine the source of the indicators recovered”.