Paragon Diamonds (LON:PRG) has commissioned three companies for scoping and drilling work to help to move its Lemphane kimberlite project in Lesotho to inferred resource status.
Paradigm Project Management is to undertake a first pass scoping study to design an operational model for the development of Lemphane.
Rodio Geotechnics has been contracted for an initial 2,000m deep delineation drilling programme to identify the structure at Lemphane down to 350m, while consultant AMEC undertake full geological and 3d modelling of the Lemphane kimberlite.
Stephen Grimmer, Paragon managing director, said: "These work programmes on the Lemphane Kimberlite, together with our on-going bulk sampling programme, are intended to advance the project towards an inferred resource status, and in conjunction with the planned application for a Mining Lease, allow us to determine the economic potential of our flag-ship project.
Paradigm's study, which will be completed and delivered to the company by the end of February 2013, will support the mining lease application, which will be submitted to the Lesotho Department of Mines this quarter.
AMEC's surface mapping and core logging will be undertaken by Dr Rachel Ogilvie-Harris, assisted by company geologists, and under the supervision of kimberlite expert Dr Matthew Field of AMEC who will act as the "Competent Person" for the study.
“The involvement of Drs Field & Ogilvie-Harris at this stage is particularly welcome, given the technical challenges associated with evaluating Lesotho's unique high-value and low grade kimberlites," Stephen Grimmer added.