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Highlights Include
- Positive drill results at Kweneng
- 52.5% of chromites recovered from soils at Kweneng indicative of diamond stability field
- 68 aeromagnetic targets identified at Motloutse and Malatswae
Kweneng
Drilling intersected a shallow (< 1 m overburden) phlogopite and clinopyroxene rich ultramafic hypabyssal dyke of approximately 6m in true width. Processing of 25 kg drill chips through Pangolin’s in-house 1 TPH DMS plant produced chromite, clinopyroxenes, and what is interpreted as fragments of a chromite-garnet peridotite.
The dyke material is highly altered and is currently interpreted as a phlogopite-rich lamprophyre - similar to the diamondiferous lamprophyres discovered by
This discovery came on the back of an extensive soil sampling program that identified a chromite anomaly measuring approximately 850 m x 250 m. Based on the indicator distribution and the relative location of the dyke, it is expected that more dykes may be present in the area. A soil sampling programme will continue once the lockdown is lifted to determine the horizontal extent of the dyke, locating any diatreme structures associated with the dyke as well as locating additional dykes within the KW04 area.
Dykes have been mined in
Chromites have been identified as diamond inclusions in
A total of 326 kimberlite indicator minerals from surface soil samples (KIMs) were submitted to
52.5% of chromites analyzed were classified as being derived from a “diamond friendly” environment in the mantle.
- 23% classified as CR DI; Chromite with major element diamond-inclusion composition
- 29.5% classified as CR DI*; Diamond-Inclusion Chromite from favorable harzburgite source
Chromites with Cr2O3 in excess of the stoichiometric limit of 67.9% Cr2O3 comprised 5.5 % of the population, thus indicating a derivation from a highly oxygen reduced environment which is favorable for the formation of diamonds.
The significance of chromites in diamond exploration was recognized in a publication by Griffin et al (1991) where it was stated:
“The high proportion of chromites as inclusions in diamonds from the producing mines in
Subsequent to this publication, chromites have been identified as diamond inclusions in the Diavik kimberlite in
COVID-19
Fieldwork in
Pangolin has used its time during the lockdown for reviewing all existing data and for planning future field programs. Preparations are made to commence exploration as soon as the lockdown is lifted.
Motloutse and Malatswae
Aeromagnetic data over the
AK10 Kimberlite Pipe
Due to the close working distances required at the AK10 kimberlite, work at the project has been suspended until such time that the Botswana Government lifts all social distancing requirements related to the COVID-19 virus.
References
Griffin WL, Ryan CG, Gurney JJ,
McGeorge IB. (1999). Report on core and percussion drilling on the Mosomane Property,
Quality Control and Quality Assurances
Quality assurance procedures, security, transport, storage, and processing protocols conform to chain of custody requirements.
The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by
About Pangolin
Dr.
Email: ldaniels@pangolindiamonds.com
Email: gwarren@pangolindiamonds.com
Neither the
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81bcddbd-ebba-4a73-aa12-f0cd4d5267e4
Source:
2020 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source