|
VANCOUVER,
BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 16, 2008) -
Editors Note: A photo for this release is available on the Marketwire
website:
http://www.marketwire.com/library/20080714-715sta_figure1.jpg
Sanatana Diamonds Inc., ("Sanatana" or the
"Company") (TSX VENTURE:STA) (AIM:SAN) is pleased to announce
that it has received the complete sample of caustic fusion diamond
results from the Company's newly discovered Dharma Uttar kimberlite
pipe. These samples were processed at the Thunder Bay Laboratory(1) of
Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc.
In total, 227 diamonds greater than 0.106mm have been recovered. Table
1 below shows the stone size distribution for this group of samples.
TABLE 1: Diamond distribution in CIM sieves (mm) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Combined 0.106 0.15 0.212 0.3 0.425 0.6 0.85 1.18 Weight (kg) (2) Sieve Sieve Sieve Sieve Sieve Sieve Sieve Sieve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 448.47 96 68 30 14 8 3 5 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) The Thunder Bay Laboratory of Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. is assessed and registered by Intertek Testing Services NA Ltd. as conforming to the requirements of ISO 9001-2000. (2) A number of dolomite country rock fragment samples with clay in the joint fractures were sent for assay and returned zero diamonds - these have been excluded. These were tested to determine if the clay fracture fill was diamondiferous kimberlite. The test was negative.
There are eight stones that sit above
the 0.85mm sieve and these weigh, in aggregate, 0.14 carats. Their
presence suggests a coarse distribution that parallels the diamond
population recovered from Dharma (see news release dated December 20,
2007). The two kimberlites have similar diamond size distributions,
however the diamonds from Dharma Uttar are described as being 41% white
in colour and 19% having octahedral crystal habits. The colour, crystal shape
and diamond count numbers from Dharma Uttar are different enough from
those of the Dharma discovery (54% white and 32% octahedral) to suggest
different diamond populations.
The Dharma Uttar kimberlite was intersected by six drill holes. These
are shown in Figure 1 which illustrates the magnetic anomaly at Dharma
along with the drill collar and traces.
To see an image of the total magnetic field from a ground magnetometer
survey over Dharma and Dharma Uttar, please follow this link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20080714-715sta_figure1.jpg.
Dharma Uttar occurs 50
metres north of the Dharma discovery and
together they appear to form a kimberlite complex of dykes, sills and
pipes intruding into Proterozoic platform carbonates of the Hornby Bay
Group. Interestingly coral and bi-value shell fragments have been
observed in the volcanic breccias in this complex. These fragments
cannot be derived from the surrounding country rock and must have been
sourced from a younger rock higher in the sequence when the kimberlite
erupted: the eruption event erosion has erased any trace of the younger
rocks, and they are now only preserved in the kimberlite. This
indicates that the kimberlite complex is Devonian or younger.
The discovery of the Dharma kimberlite complex is significant as it
represents the first kimberlites in a newly discovered Archean craton
on the North American Continent. This craton does not outcrop and until
the Dharma discoveries was inferred purely from regional potential
field geophysics and the occurrence of diamond indicator minerals in
the glacial till. The Company has recently received further
collaborating evidence that an Archean craton lies beneath the platform
sediments that cover our properties from a report recently received
from Dr. William Griffin of Macquarie University in Sydney Australia.
Dr. Griffin and his faculty assay the trace elements within diamond
indicator minerals using laser ablation techniques. The results are
then interpreted based on a large database from other kimberlites
around the world. He reports that the indicators from the Dharma
kimberite plot at temperatures and pressures within the diamond
stability field, and derive a 38mW/m2 geotherm. (For comparison, the
Slave Craton, which hosts the Ekati and Diavik mines exhibited a
36mW/m2 geotherm using the same technique. The cratons hosting the
diamond mines in Siberia and Southern Africa have 40mW/m2 and 42mW/m2
geotherms respectively). The base of the lithosphere at Dharma plots at
180km depth, implying a 30km thick diamond window in the lithosphere
beneath Dharma. Thermodynamic arguments indicate that to be stable over
time, a deep lithospheric keel must be at least 400km in diameter. It
is the Company's interpretation that Dharma occurs on the edge of this
newly discovered "Mackenzie" Craton with the centre being
300km to the west in the vicinity of Colville Lake.
The Company has recently tested 13 additional magnetic anomalies at
Greenhorn utilizing a recently purchased, helicopter portable RC drill
rig. Although no additional kimberlites have been discovered, the RC
rig has significantly enhanced, in a cost effective and timely manner,
the Company's ability to test drill targets. In order to better define
future drill targets in the Greenhorn area the Company is currently
undertaking closer spaced till sampling to further develop geochemical
indicator anomalies distal to the Dharma kimberlite complex discovery.
The Company is also pleased to announce that ground magnetic surveys are
underway at Colville Lake and a drill rig has been secured to test
approximately 15 priority targets. At least 6 of these targets have
indicator chemistry coinciding with prominent magnetic geophysical
anomalies. The indicators include the full spectrum of minerals you
would expect from a diamond bearing kimberlite; pyrope, eclogitic
garnet, ilmenite, chromite, chrome diopside and olivine. In addition,
the indicator chemistry in the till at Colville Lake is superior to
that of the till in the Greenhorn area in that it contains more
numerous high sodium eclogitic garnets and high chrome G10 pyropes.
Drilling is scheduled to start near the end of July.
Qualified Person
The Company's exploration programs are carried out under the
supervision of Sanatana's Director and VP of Exploration, Mr. Buddy
Doyle. Mr. Doyle meets the qualified person requirements (as defined by
National Instrument 43-101) with 26 years of exploration experience, 16
years of which are in diamond exploration. Mr. Doyle has compiled, approved
and reviewed the scientific and technical information in this press
release.
Forward Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this press release are
forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information
are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties beyond Sanatana's control, and may include statements
regarding resource estimates, potential mineralization, exploration results,
completion or continuation of work programs and studies, and future
plans and objectives. Resource exploration, development and operations
are highly speculative, characterized by a number of significant risks,
which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and
knowledge may not eliminate, including, among other things,
unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover
mineral resources, but from finding mineral deposits that though
present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to be economic or to
return a profit from production. There can be no assurance that such
statements and information will prove to be accurate and actual results
could differ materially from those suggested by any forward-looking
statements and information. Sanatana disclaims any obligation to update
or revise such forward looking statements and information except as
required by law.
About the Company
Sanatana Diamonds Inc. is focused on the exploration of its Mackenzie
Diamond Project, comprised of approximately 5.9 million acres of ground
under claims and permits, located north of Great Bear Lake and
approximately 700
kilometres northwest of Yellowknife in the
Northwest Territories of Canada. The Sanatana Mackenzie project is a
joint venture between Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. and Sanatana
Diamonds Inc., which Sanatana operates and Kennecott has a contributing
15% interest. As part of the joint venture arrangement, Kennecott has
made available one of their project geologists and a geophysicist from
their pool of experienced staff. Sanatana Diamonds, headquartered in
Vancouver, is dual listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock
Exchange plc and Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX VENTURE:STA) (AIM:SAN).
Neither the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange plc nor the TSX
Venture Exchange has reviewed, nor accepts responsibility for, the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
|