Kennady Diamonds Inc. yesterday announced that it had successfully completed the Kelvin North Lobe bulk sampling programme.

“Twenty nine large-diameter reverse-circulation (RC) holes were completed along the strike of the Kelvin North Lobe resulting in the recovery of approximately 580 tonnes of kimberlite, surpassing the Company’s 500 tonne target,” Kennady Diamonds said. “In addition, three ice-based infill large-diameter RC holes have been completed at the Kelvin Southeast Lobe. These holes are designed to support improved geological modelling.”

The Company has also recovered a “mini-bulk sample” of about 20 tonnes from the Faraday 2 kimberlite where drilling of two ice-based holes by large-diameter RC drilling has been completed.

However, with the weather conditions warming up, it has become necessary for the   Company to end the Faraday 2 sampling programme.  “The Company will now focus on completing as much ice-based core drilling as possible,” Kennady Diamonds stated.

Apart from the RC drilling, Kennady Diamonds is also currently operating three diamond core drill rigs, “focused on delineation and infill drilling at the Faraday 1 and Faraday 3 kimberlites and exploration drilling at the Hobbes anomaly”, the Company revealed. Ice-based exploration drilling also continues at the Hobbes anomaly, which is located approximately 150 meters south of the Kelvin kimberlite.

Patrick Evans, President and CEO, commented: “Our focus at the Hobbes anomaly is to find the source of the volcaniclastic kimberlite. Exploration drilling will continue while ice conditions permit.”

The Company expects that diamonds weighing more than 1,200 carats will be recovered, based on the findings of the 2016 Kelvin bulk sampling programme.  

“Processing of the bulk sample will take place at the Geoanalytical Laboratories Diamond Services of the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) commencing in mid-May 2016,” the Company concluded. “The valuation of the diamond parcel, which will be used for revenue modelling of the Kelvin North Lobe, is expected to be completed during Q3 2016.”