Alto Ventures Ltd. said that it had commenced a Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling programme on the GEFA claims, which is immediately adjacent to the Pikoo diamond discovery.  

The Company aims to test several “high priority diamond targets” which were identified by a high resolution aeromagnetic survey in 2015 as being consistent with kimberlite intrusions.

“Alto is working to earn a 60% interest in the 13,150 ha property by completing an aggregate $750,000 in exploration work and making cash payments totalling $60,000 before July 20, 2017,” the Company added. “To date, Alto has completed exploration work totalling approximately $515,000 and paid $25,000 in cash.”

The Company also announced the appointment of Martin Doyle, P.Geo., MBA to Alto's Advisory Board effective December 7, 2016.

“Martin is a seasoned diamond and gold exploration executive with over 35 years international experience in the De Beers and Anglo American organisations,” Alto elaborated. “Martin's last assignment with De Beers was from 2004 to 2011 as Senior Vice President, Exploration of De Beers Canada Exploration Inc. This was a very dynamic period of growth for De Beers in Canada with the opening of two diamond mines in Ontario and NWT where Martin played a major role in the transformation of De Beers Canada to an integrated mining and exploration company.”