Marsfontein yields more diamonds (January 11, 1999)

Partners De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBRS-Q) and SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) have discovered more diamondiferous gravels at their producing Marsfontein property in South Africa’s Northern Province.

A 154-tonne sample from a trench dug across the M3 kimberlite body yielded 211.5 carats, including one stone weighing in at an impressive 13 carats. The sample represents the top 2 metres of a 6-metre-thick horizon, which itself is overlain by 3 metres of sand and grit.

The partners believe the horizon continues to the south, and in the coming months they will test its extent, as well as deepen the existing trench to sample the remaining 4 metres. A bulk sample from the primary kimberlite, which has been drilled along 100 metres of strike length and has a true width of up to 10 metres, will be extracted as well.

Ownership of Marsfontein is split 60-40 between De Beers and SouthernEra. The two initially learned of the potential importance of gravels on the property while stripping overburden from the producing M1 kimberlite pipe (T.N.M., Nov. 30-Dec. 6/98).