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RAPAPORT... Delrand Resources Limited reported having completed sampling exploration programs at the Bomili and Coexco in the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in search of kimberlites. Three targets were ultimately identified on the Bomili permits, which were defined by 89 close spaced samples, 51 of which were positive with ilmenite and chrome spinel and 14 contained more than 10 mantle grains per sample -- strongly suggesting the presence of proximal kimberlite. Delrand is planning to identify the source of those grains this month. Provided that the source is found, the next steps are dependent upon the interest rating of these rocks but could include more sampling, geophysics and drilling. A significant number of samples collected over the original 44 Coexco exploration permits produced 63 diamonds, 17 ilmenites, 48 chromites, including nine from the diamond inclusion field, and eight garnets. Interpretation of these results highlighted six targets covering parts of nine of the original 44 exploration permits and following additional analysis, Delrand narrowed the number of targets to five. The company stated that some other high-interest targets have been identified in the Orientale Province and may be pursued once the Department of Mines reopens for accepting new applications. Delrand continues to interpret a large diamond exploration dataset from a program of stream and soil sampling and airborne and ground surveys in the Kasai region of southern DRC.
Mike de Wit, the company's president, said, "Over the past several years, Delrand has been limited to a low-cost and focused exploration program. During this period Delrand has itself amassed and obtained access to a considerable amount of exploration data. The company continues to process and further explore arguably the most comprehensive DRC diamond exploration data base that has ever been assembled."
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