Karelian Diamond Resources PLC (AIM:KDR, FRA:KJY1) said it has completed a detailed heavy mineral stream sediment sampling programme on the Colebrooke river in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Ten samples have been collected and sent to Canada for analysis for kimberlite indicator minerals (KIMs).
The Colebrooke River was the reported location of the Brookeborough diamond discovery in 1816, the company said, adding that no serious exploration for the source of the Brookeborough diamond was conducted until 1996 when a regional heavy mineral stream sediment sampling survey was carried out in Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone.
Following a review of the regional sampling survey results, analysis of airborne geophysical data and an overall geological assessment, Karelian decided to carry out a detailed heavy mineral stream sediment survey.
“The discovery of a diamond in Northern Ireland is intriguing and combined with the 1996 results showing the discovery of potential KIMs and the advances in the understanding of diamond host rocks, Karelian felt it warranted further investigation,” said chairman Professor Richard Conroy.
“Hopefully, the sample results will be positive. However, the main focus for the immediate future will remain the development of the mine in Lahtojki, and exploration in Finland where work has continued despite the COVID-related restrictions,” he said.