Canada headquartered Rockwell Diamonds has released an update on its recent exploration and evaluation activity in the Middle Orange River project area in South Africa, stating that the resource estimates at Remhoogte and consolidation of some of its other projects in the region are in line with its longer term organic growth objectives.

The mid-tier diamond mining and development company, with interest in several producing and exploration alluvial diamond properties in South Africa, says that it is now firming up plans for continuing exploration in the region for fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017.

Currently the company has a 7.1 million m3 Inferred Mineral Resource at Remhoogte estimated at a grade of 0.9 cphm3 and average carat value of US$2,900 per carat. The projection has been done after reevaluating historical, geological and field mapping data; the survey of areas mined since commencement of operations on the property and the available production and sales results, it said.The largest stone recovered from Remhoogte to date weighed 178 carats.

Additionally, Rockwell said that during the ongoing evaluation of the Bondeo acquisition properties it has identified an Exploration Target with potential for a further 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 m3 of fluvial-alluvial gravels (target grades of approximately 0.4 to 1.5 cphm3 and anticipated diamond values ranging from US$2,500 to US$4,000 per carat). Limited sampling of the fluvial-alluvial gravel has recovered 446 carats with the largest diamond recovered being a 27-carat stone.

These properties are adjacent to its current flagship Saxendrift Mine which has produced some large, high quality stones, including a high value 121-carat yellow octagonal diamond.

Rockwell has announced that it plans to spend $ 0.35 million on exploration in fiscal 2016 and will soon firm up plans for fiscal 2017 as well.