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Post by Franko10 ™ on Sept 20, 2004 11:13:03 GMT -5
December 4, 2002
SHORE GOLD ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF THE BULK SAMPLING PROGRAM FOR THE STAR KIMBERLITE PROJECT
Jonathan Challis, President, is delighted to report that the necessary approvals have now been received to enable the start of mobilization of equipment required for the bulk sample program. This program is designed to recover a parcel of at least 3,000 carats of diamonds to enable an accurate valuation of the stones to be determined. The program involves the sinking of a 4.5 metre diameter vertical shaft and the drifting in kimberlite to recover up to 25,000 tonnes of kimberlite. The geotechnical and hydrological investigations of the proposed shaft location has now been completed by P. Machibroda Engineering Ltd. This work involved the drilling of eight holes to varying depths in the overburden to recover core samples for testing prior to the finalization of the shaft design.
This report has been submitted to Thyssen Mining of Regina, Saskatchewan, the contractor retained to extract the bulk sample, to enable them to complete the engineering work needed prior to the commencement of shaft sinking. It is planned that shaft sinking at the site will commence in January 2003. The kimberlite recovered from the Star body will be processed on-site in a modular treatment plant with a capacity of 10 tonnes per hour. An additional two holes were completed to ascertain whether the water that is present in the formation is present in sufficient quantities and quality to be used in the process plant. It is anticipated that the sampling program will be completed by October 2003.
The location for the bulk sample was selected after a report was received from AMEC E & C Services Limited, which had reviewed the microdiamond data from all the holes completed on the Star kimberlite body. AMEC's report concluded that the Star kimberlite appeared to be relatively homogeneous and whilst there did appear to be the possibility that a higher-grade region was present within the Star body, the selected location is representative of the body as a whole. An HQ sized (63.5 mm diameter) core hole has recently been completed by Boart Drilling in the centre of the proposed shaft location, drilled to a depth of 348 metres which will serve as both the shaft pilot hole and for planning sample intervals for the bulk sample. Detailed engineering work by Bateman Engineering of South Africa for the treatment plant is virtually complete, with construction of some modules already underway. It is planned that all the required modules will be trial erected in South Africa for mechanical and electrical testing, prior to shipment to the Star location in February, 2003. The plant is being financed by Magma Diamond Resources Ltd, and will be leased to Shore for the duration of the sample program. Discussions are underway with Lakefield Research of Ontario regarding the management and operation of the treatment plant during the sampling program. The estimated budget for the program is between C$6 million and C$7.5 million, depending upon the amount of kimberlite processed.
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Shore is a Canadian-based corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Shares of the Company trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "SGF".
For further information please contact:
Kenneth E. MacNeill, President & C.E.O.; George Sanders, Vice President Corporate Development; or George H. Read, P. Geo., Vice President Exploration at (306) 664-2202
SHORE GOLD ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF THE BULK SAMPLING PROGRAM FOR THE STAR KIMBERLITE PROJECT
Jonathan Challis, President, is delighted to report that the necessary approvals have now been received to enable the start of mobilization of equipment required for the bulk sample program. This program is designed to recover a parcel of at least 3,000 carats of diamonds to enable an accurate valuation of the stones to be determined. The program involves the sinking of a 4.5 metre diameter vertical shaft and the drifting in kimberlite to recover up to 25,000 tonnes of kimberlite. The geotechnical and hydrological investigations of the proposed shaft location has now been completed by P. Machibroda Engineering Ltd. This work involved the drilling of eight holes to varying depths in the overburden to recover core samples for testing prior to the finalization of the shaft design.
This report has been submitted to Thyssen Mining of Regina, Saskatchewan, the contractor retained to extract the bulk sample, to enable them to complete the engineering work needed prior to the commencement of shaft sinking. It is planned that shaft sinking at the site will commence in January 2003. The kimberlite recovered from the Star body will be processed on-site in a modular treatment plant with a capacity of 10 tonnes per hour. An additional two holes were completed to ascertain whether the water that is present in the formation is present in sufficient quantities and quality to be used in the process plant. It is anticipated that the sampling program will be completed by October 2003.
The location for the bulk sample was selected after a report was received from AMEC E & C Services Limited, which had reviewed the microdiamond data from all the holes completed on the Star kimberlite body. AMEC's report concluded that the Star kimberlite appeared to be relatively homogeneous and whilst there did appear to be the possibility that a higher-grade region was present within the Star body, the selected location is representative of the body as a whole. An HQ sized (63.5 mm diameter) core hole has recently been completed by Boart Drilling in the centre of the proposed shaft location, drilled to a depth of 348 metres which will serve as both the shaft pilot hole and for planning sample intervals for the bulk sample. Detailed engineering work by Bateman Engineering of South Africa for the treatment plant is virtually complete, with construction of some modules already underway. It is planned that all the required modules will be trial erected in South Africa for mechanical and electrical testing, prior to shipment to the Star location in February, 2003. The plant is being financed by Magma Diamond Resources Ltd, and will be leased to Shore for the duration of the sample program. Discussions are underway with Lakefield Research of Ontario regarding the management and operation of the treatment plant during the sampling program. The estimated budget for the program is between C$6 million and C$7.5 million, depending upon the amount of kimberlite processed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shore is a Canadian-based corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Shares of the Company trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "SGF".
For further information please contact:
Kenneth E. MacNeill, President & C.E.O.; George Sanders, Vice President Corporate Development; or George H. Read, P. Geo., Vice President Exploration at (306) 664-2202
