Explorer Lithoquest Diamonds Inc (CVE:LDI) revealed that analysis of the 1805 and 1826 kimberlites discovered in last year's drilling at its North Kimberley diamond project in Western Australia showed no diamonds were recovered.
Kimberlite is the name given to igneous rock, which sometimes contains diamonds.
READ: Lithoquest Diamonds says North Kimberley region license acquisition agreement terminated
Last year, Lithoquest said that 928 metres (m) of drilling was completed in 11 reverse circulation (RC) holes on targets 1805, 1826 and 1827 and kimberlite was hit at targets 1805 and 1826.
"Although no diamonds were recovered from 1805 and 1826, there is ample evidence that there are diamond-bearing bodies in the new field the company has discovered on the North Kimberley Diamond Project," said Bruce Counts, president and CEO of Lithoquest, in a statement Tuesday.
"Our understanding of the geochemical and geophysical expression of kimberlites in the new field has evolved quickly and will be vital in identifying the most promising targets going forward."
Nine samples from the 1805 kimberlite weighing a total of 145.4kg and four samples with a total weight of 43.6kg were submitted to the Perth-based laboratory for analysis.
Several high priority targets
Several high-priority target areas were identified in Western Australia for follow-up, including at target 1827 where it has narrowed down the source of abundant Kimberlite Indicator Minerals (KIM's) and diamonds to a small area.
Work planned for this year includes prospecting, sampling, geophysical surveys and drilling.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com