VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --...

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSXV-NAR) (“North Arrow” is providing an update on processing a 2,000 tonne bulk sample from its Naujaat Diamond Project, NU. The 2,500-bag sample was collected from the Q1-4 kimberlite in July and August 2021 and fully delivered to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratory in Saskatoon, SK by early November.

Sample processing and diamond recovery involves three main steps starting with dense media separation (DMS) to create a heavy mineral concentrate which is further upgraded through a secondary process circuit that includes X-Ray Transmission (XRT) optical sorting and conventional grease table recoveries. Concentrates produced by the XRT and grease circuits are then hand sorted for final diamond recovery. The SRC is the first commercial diamond laboratory to integrate XRT recovery technology into their processing circuit, an important development as optical sorting has rapidly become the primary diamond recovery process at operating diamond mines.

DMS, XRT and grease table processing of the first of five subsamples (approximately 255.7 wet tonnes) have been completed and final diamond recovery and characterization is underway. DMS processing of the second subsample is also underway, with over 120 wet tonnes processed to date.

Ken Armstrong, President and CEO of North Arrow commented, “Processing of the 2021 Naujaat bulk sample is progressing well. Use of new XRT sorting technology requires some additional auditing of results, and initial diamond recoveries from the first subsample are expected early in the New Year. The DMS circuit is also still being optimized for the overall diamond recovery process and we are evaluating options to increase sample throughput. We expect to be able to map out a timetable for processing and reporting results from the entire sample early in the New Year.”

The recovered diamond parcel from the 2021 bulk sample is intended to confirm that a unique and potentially high value population of fancy yellow and orangey yellow diamonds extend into coarser diamond sizes. The quality of these diamonds will also be very important as these fancy coloured diamonds could be a key value driver for potential future development of the Q1-4 deposit.

The $5.6M bulk sample program is funded by partner Burgundy Diamond Mines (ASX-BDM), as part of a June 1, 2020 option agreement under which Burgundy may earn a 40% interest in the Naujaat Project by funding the current bulk sample program. Further details on the collection of the bulk sample can be found in North Arrow’s news release dated August 19, 2021.