Post by Franko10 ™ on Sept 20, 2004 11:17:01 GMT -5
May 15, 2003
STAR DIAMOND PROJECT - BULK SAMPLE PROGRESS REPORT
Kirsten Marcia, Exploration Manager, is pleased to report on the progress of the bulk sample program on the Company's Star Diamond Project, located in the Fort a la Corne area of central Saskatchewan. This program is designed to recover a parcel of at least 3,000 carats of diamonds to enable an accurate valuation of the stones. The program involves the sinking of a 4.5 metre diameter vertical shaft and horizontal drifting in kimberlite to recover up to 25,000 tonnes of kimberlite, to be processed on site.
Layne Christensen Canada Limited (Layne) has now completed 22 freeze holes drilled in a circular pattern with an approximate 12-foot radius from the shaft centre. Two additional outlying temperature-monitoring holes have also been completed and Layne having now completed the necessary drilling, has been released. Calgary based Gyrodata Services Canada Inc. have completed the required surveying of all holes. Survey data has been submitted to Shore's independent consultant who has confirmed that sufficient holes have now been completed to ensure that a satisfactory freeze wall can be established around the shaft. This freeze wall will ensure stable ground conditions as sinking proceeds through the overburden. It is estimated that approximately 45 days will be needed to ensure that the freeze wall is adequate at a depth of 130 metres.
The Cimco freeze plants and compressors, supplied by Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada Ltd., have been installed and tested and shaft collar construction has now started. It is anticipated that the freeze plants will be tied in and commissioned next week and the initial pre-sink to a depth of approximately 20 metres will occur concurrently with freezing. The remaining sinking equipment is being delivered to site and installation will commence once the presink has been completed, which is expected to take approximately 2 weeks. The first of two generators has now been installed and is expected to be commissioned within the next 24 hours. The second generator has been overhauled and will be delivered to the site shortly. Construction of all ancillary buildings such as workshops, mine dry etc. has been completed.
Bateman Mineral (Pty) Ltd. are nearing completion of construction and testing of the modular diamond recovery plant in South Africa. Most modules have been tested and it is anticipated that the entire plant will be shipped before the end of May, with delivery on site expected prior to the end of June. Assembly and commissioning should be completed by the second half of July, prior to the shaft reaching kimberlite. It is estimated that the first kimberlite will be processed in early August, and it is anticipated that the bulk-sampling program will be completed before the
end of this year.
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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
STAR DIAMOND PROJECT - BULK SAMPLE PROGRESS REPORT
Kirsten Marcia, Exploration Manager, is pleased to report on the progress of the bulk sample program on the Company's Star Diamond Project, located in the Fort a la Corne area of central Saskatchewan. This program is designed to recover a parcel of at least 3,000 carats of diamonds to enable an accurate valuation of the stones. The program involves the sinking of a 4.5 metre diameter vertical shaft and horizontal drifting in kimberlite to recover up to 25,000 tonnes of kimberlite, to be processed on site.
Layne Christensen Canada Limited (Layne) has now completed 22 freeze holes drilled in a circular pattern with an approximate 12-foot radius from the shaft centre. Two additional outlying temperature-monitoring holes have also been completed and Layne having now completed the necessary drilling, has been released. Calgary based Gyrodata Services Canada Inc. have completed the required surveying of all holes. Survey data has been submitted to Shore's independent consultant who has confirmed that sufficient holes have now been completed to ensure that a satisfactory freeze wall can be established around the shaft. This freeze wall will ensure stable ground conditions as sinking proceeds through the overburden. It is estimated that approximately 45 days will be needed to ensure that the freeze wall is adequate at a depth of 130 metres.
The Cimco freeze plants and compressors, supplied by Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada Ltd., have been installed and tested and shaft collar construction has now started. It is anticipated that the freeze plants will be tied in and commissioned next week and the initial pre-sink to a depth of approximately 20 metres will occur concurrently with freezing. The remaining sinking equipment is being delivered to site and installation will commence once the presink has been completed, which is expected to take approximately 2 weeks. The first of two generators has now been installed and is expected to be commissioned within the next 24 hours. The second generator has been overhauled and will be delivered to the site shortly. Construction of all ancillary buildings such as workshops, mine dry etc. has been completed.
Bateman Mineral (Pty) Ltd. are nearing completion of construction and testing of the modular diamond recovery plant in South Africa. Most modules have been tested and it is anticipated that the entire plant will be shipped before the end of May, with delivery on site expected prior to the end of June. Assembly and commissioning should be completed by the second half of July, prior to the shaft reaching kimberlite. It is estimated that the first kimberlite will be processed in early August, and it is anticipated that the bulk-sampling program will be completed before the
end of this year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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