Five Star Diamonds Limited, in the latest update on its 100% owned Riachao Diamond Project   in Piaui State, Brazil, announced that it has discovered a large kimberlite pipe there.

“The kimberlite pipe at Riachao is interpreted to be approximately 24 Ha in size, which is large on a global scale, and the largest kimberlite pipe the Company has identified to date amongst its 23 diamond projects in Brazil,” the Company said.

The Riachao Diamond Project comprises one Exploration Licence covering a total area of 1,278,13 hectares.

Five Star Diamonds also noted that the region surrounding the pipe has yielded “significant historical alluvial diamond production”.  

The Company carried out a detailed ground magnetic survey and surface reconnaissance mapping which were completed recently; and work is ongoing to determine if the pipe is diamond bearing or not.

“The weathered kimberlite outcrops at surface and two 100kg mini-bulk samples are now being collected and prepared for caustic fusion and micro diamond analysis,” Five Star Diamonds said.

Also highlighted in the surveys were abundant outcrops of clay weathered kimberlite within the survey area. “A 40kg mini-bulk sample was collected from surface outcrops on kimberlite,” the Company said. 

It added: “Results from KIM analysis of the concentrate generated from the 40kg sample have been highly encouraging with abundant indicator minerals including garnet and ilmenite.”

“The Company is currently collecting two 100kg mini-bulk samples from two separate weathered kimberlite outcrop locations approximately 100m apart within the Riachao Kimberlite,” Five Star Diamonds said. “These initial two samples will be sent for caustic fusion and micro diamond analysis. This is a preliminary test on a very large kimberlite pipe and comprehensive drilling and further bulk sampling programmes will need to be undertaken to fully understand the quality of the Riachao Kimberlite pipe.”