Mining News: North Arrow collects Q1-4 kimberlite sample

North Arrow Minerals Inc. July 24 reported the collection of a 234-metric-ton mini-bulk sample from the Q1-4 kimberlite at its Naujaat (formerly Qilalugaq) diamond project in Nunavut. With the Q1-4 kimberlite lying beneath a 0.5- to 1-meter layer of glacial till, this sample could be collected with a mini-excavator. Initial evaluation of the exposed kimberlite identified a north trending internal contact between distinct kimberlite phases. Kimberlite to the west of the contact, known in the field as Green Kimberlite, accounted for roughly 30 percent of the pit area and is described as a dark green, very olivine rich kimberlite with fine to very coarse macrocrysts (pre-dominantly olivine) and a good mantle sample. The remainder of the pit, known as Blue Kimberlite, is comprised of a blue, poorly sorted olivine rich volcaniclastic kimberlite with fine to very coarse olivine and a moderate mantle sample. As a result of the presence of two distinct kimberlite units, the sample was divided into three subsamples: Blue Kimberlite (60 bags), Green Kimberlite (31 bags) and mixed Blue-Green Kimberlite (159 bags). The sample will be processed for the recovery of commercial sized diamonds this fall. The resultant diamond parcel will be used to provide a better understanding and indication of the diamond content, size distribution, and fancy color diamond population within the sampled units. Results of the sample, and the current delineation drill program, will be used to plan collection of a larger bulk sample in 2018. This sampling and drilling is part of North Arrow’s C$3.2 million summer exploration program at the Naujaat and Mel diamond projects in Nunavut.

–SHANE LASLEY