Botswana’s diamond exploration and development firm Pangolin Diamonds has found another diamond positive area at its 100% owned Mmadinare Diamond Project in north-east Botswana, after its first micro-diamond discovery at the Block 1 area of the project on 9 April 2014.
The results were confirmed after the 33 soil samples collected at the Block 2 area of the project showed traces of micro-diamond and 281 ilmenite grains.
With approximately 2km² in size, the Block 2 area targets kimberlites and is associated with a weak magnetic low airborne feature.
The samples were processed by Pangolin through its Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant, whereas the diamond concentrates were observed by an independent diamond and indicator mineral specialist.
The 281 ilmenite grains will further be sent for microprobe analysis to find their provenance as crustal, kimberlitic or lower mantle in origin.
The recovered diamond, sample MC30-63, has a dimension of below 0.5mm, hence termed as micro-diamond. It also contained eight ilmenite grains, which will also be sent for microprobe analysis to further refine the pattern.