Assessment on Thorny River completed
Botswana Diamonds to determine the mining potential Botswana Diamonds (BOD) said, that a preliminary kimberlite assessment has been completed on its Thorny River diamond prospect in South Africa. Projected kimberlite volume significantly increased to an estimated 2 million tonnes. Economic study of mining options initiated. Four further potential blow targets identified: potential to further increase kimberlite volume. John Teeling, chairman, commented: “The estimated kimberlite volume in the River area is considerably better than expected. Botswana Diamonds will now determine the mining potential. Let me put this in context. The 2 million tonnes is almost twice the size of the nearby Marsfontein deposit. We have identified other small potential blows which could further increase the kimberlite volume. This enhances the potential in developing a hub and spoke-mining project”. The projected volume of kimberlitic material in the River, River Extension and in the immediate area exc