LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Diamond hunt in the Prairies

The writer of the article “Juniors raise cash for diamond hunt” (T.N.M., July 6/92) has overlooked the exploration activity going on in the prairie provinces.

The Northern Miner is providing an inordinate amount of coverage and hype for the Northwest Territories diamond play which is based on a single pipe and an undisclosed number of drill holes.

What about the significant diamond play in Saskatchewan, as well as the exploration in Alberta? Each of the 20 or so diamond drill holes that have been completed in Saskatchewan has intersected diamondiferous kimberlite. At least 18 pipes have been confirmed with many ore targets yet to be tested. Because there isn’t a flood of promotional news releases coming out of Saskatchewan or Alberta doesn’t mean there isn’t anything happening. Besides diamonds, heavy mineral analyses of tills have revealed that rubies and sapphires are present in Saskatchewan — their sources are as yet unknown. (For Saskatchewan Energy and Mines, M.R. Gent has written Open File Report 92-2, Diamond and Precious Gems

of the Phanerozoic Basin, Saskatchewan: Preliminary Investigations. The Saskatchewan Research Council has also released a report on the distribution of kimberlite indicator minerals in southern Saskatchewan.) A ruby or sapphire deposit could be worth far more than a diamond deposit. An update on the Saskatchewan diamond play would be well received by your western readers.

Charlie Harper

Saskatchewan Energy and Mines

Geology and Mines Division

Regina