Blina Diamonds NL (ASX:BDI) said the latest bulk sample from the Ellendale 9 North alluvial system has produced 3,766 diamonds weighing 1,442 carats from 3,773 tonnes of gravel processed. This gives the sample a grade of 38.22cpht with an average diamond size of 0.38 carats. This is the highest grade ever recorded in any of the alluvial systems discovered so far on either the Blina or Kimberley tenements. The largest diamond recovered weighed 7.47 carats with three other stones weighing in excess of five carats. The bulk sample was taken in cooperation with Kimberley Diamond Co NL (ASX:KIM) from an area close to Kimberley's Ellendale 9 mining operation. Blina has the rights to mine alluvial deposits within the Ellendale lease. The section of the channel sampled lies to the north of the western lobe of Ellendale 9 and within an area proposed as an extension to a waste dump. Kimberley agreed to process the sample to determine whether it would be worth moving the gravels prior to extending the dump. As results from this sample have exceeded expectations Blina and Kimberley will cooperate to remove the estimated 30,000 tonnes of gravel that may lie beneath the footprint of the proposed dump. Arrangements to treat the remainder of this gravel are currently being negotiated. Blina anticipates that the higher grade achieved for the large bulk sample will extend downstream from this site and is currently undertaking exploration to determine the downstream extent of the diamondiferous gravels. The diamonds recovered from this sample have been valued at $US195 per carat. Blina shares were up 7c to 44c while Kimberley was down 3c to $1.215. ENDS !END
KIM Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
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