Botswana Diamonds plc recently announced the discovery of a new kimberlite pipe in the course of   prospecting work on the Ontevreden licence held by Vutomi.  The Company said that initial work indicated that the group 2 kimberlite pipe is in a size of 1.5 to 2.5 hectares “in area containing high interest garnets”. 

Botswana Diamonds said that that it will now conduct detailed drilling of the area both, to confirm the size of the pipe, as well as to analyse whether it contains commercial diamonds.

“Ontevreden is close to the Petra Diamonds Helam diamond mine in North West South Africa some 400 km from Frischgewaagt (FGT) in a separate kimberlite cluster,” the Company stated. “Helam has a grade of 85 carats per hundred tonne (cpht).”

The Company has also been granted a Prospecting Licence over an additional 1,000 hectares immediately east of and contiguous to Frischgewaagt.  Geophysics studies undertaken by Botswana Diamonds in the area indicate that the kimberlite dyke/pipe system being studied extends into the adjacent property.  The combined area of the two properties covers over 2,700 hectares.

John Teeling, Chairman, commented, "This is excellent news.  A new kimberlite discovery in an area where high grade kimberlites are being mined offers exciting prospects for the Company. I look forward to providing shareholders with further updates as appropriate."

He added that the Company believes that the diamond-bearing dyke stretches at least 10 km and hence sought and obtained a prospecting licence over this promising ground as a matter of urgency. “The drilling programme starting in weeks will be extended into this area," Teeling said.