The Conversation (0)
North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSXV:NAR) reported that the parcel of 383.55 carats of diamonds greater than +1DTC (~1 mm) was valued at $13,795 or $36 per carat. This parcel was recovered from the Qilalugaq Diamond Project bulk sample.
As quoted in the press release:
As reported on May 5, 2015, a total of 11,083 diamonds greater than +1 DTC (~1 mm) weighing 384.28 carats were recovered from 1,353.37 dry tonnes of kimberlite collected from the Q1-4 kimberlite in July and August 2014. On their arrival in Antwerp, Belgium, the diamonds were cleaned by deep acid boiling, after which the parcel was reweighed at 383.55 carats.
On the basis of work completed by North Arrow that confirmed the presence of two distinct diamond populations in the sample (please see North Arrow news release dated April 21, 2015 for details), WWW split the sample into three parcels: a yellow, a dark-yellow and a non-yellow parcel. WWW commented that i) some of the dark yellow diamonds were intense in colour but they also included some clivage and rejection goods, and ii) some of the diamonds classified as dark-yellow were more orange than yellow and that such dark-yellow and orange goods will attract a premium over the other yellow colours. The dark-yellow parcel had the highest average price at $46 per carat whereas the yellow and non-yellow parcels were both valued at $35 per carat. It is important to note that the dark-yellow diamond parcel consisted of just 24.49 carats (6% of the total) and the combined dark-yellow and yellow parcels consisted of 72.58 carats (19% of the total).
North Arrow has been working to earn an 80% interest in the Qilalugaq Diamond Project from Stornoway Diamond Corporation (TSX-SWY) by completing an option work program consisting of the collection and processing of the current bulk sample (please see North Arrow news release dated April 29th, 2013 for additional details on the option agreement with Stornoway). The collection and processing of the Q1-4 bulk sample and the related diamond results announced today have fulfilled the requirements of the option work program and North Arrow shall provide notice to Stornoway of its intent to vest an 80% interest in the project, subject to a one time back in right held by Stornoway. Upon receipt of the vesting notice from North Arrow, Stornoway will have a 60 day period in which to elect to increase its interest in the Qilalugaq Project from 20% to 40% by paying to North Arrow an amount equal to three times the costs incurred by North Arrow in connection with the option work program.
North Arrow’s diamond exploration programs are conducted under the direction of Kenneth Armstrong, P.Geo., President and CEO of North Arrow and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Armstrong has reviewed and approves of the scientific and technical content in this news release. For more information on the Qilalugaq Project please visit North Arrow’s website at www.northarrowminerals.com/projects/qilalugaq.
North Arrow CEO, Ken Armstrong, said:
The diamond parcel recovered from the Q1-4 bulk sample is very small and, as a result, the primary conclusion reached by WWW is that these valuation results and modelled values should be treated with considerable caution when it comes to assessing the Qilalugaq Project. The valuation of this small diamond parcel is further challenged by the presence of two distinct diamond populations, including a population of rare Type Ib yellows diamonds. The occurrence of two identifiable diamond populations within a single deposit is unusual and was not known to exist at Q1-4 when the 2014 sample program was conceived. Additional evaluation of the project will require the recovery of a larger diamond parcel including sufficient carats from each of the two populations to allow for a more confident assessment. North Arrow will review options for the cost effective collection of a larger sample, taking advantage of Q1-4’s large size and advantageous location near tidewater and the Hamlet of Repulse Bay (Naujaat).
Click here to read the North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSXV:NAR) press release
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