North Arrow Minerals Inc (TSX-V:NAR) said that the processing of its 2,000-tonne bulk sample from its 2021 Naujaat diamond project is progressing well.
The recovered diamond parcel from the 2021 bulk sample is intended to confirm that a unique and potentially high-value population of fancy yellow and orangey-yellow diamonds extend into coarser diamond sizes, according to a statement.
READ: North Arrow Minerals positioned for sustained diamond market recovery as it processes coloured samples from project in Nunavut, northern Canada
The quality of these diamonds will also be very important as these fancy colored diamonds could be a key value driver for the potential future development of the Q1-4 deposit, the company said.
The 2,500-bag sample was collected from the Q1-4 kimberlite in July and August 2021 and fully delivered to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratory in Saskatoon by early November.
Dense media separation (DMS), X-Ray Transmission (XRT), and grease table processing of the first of five subsamples (approximately 255.7 wet tonnes) have been completed and final diamond recovery and characterization are underway. DMS processing of the second subsample is also underway, with over 120 wet tonnes processed to date.
“Processing of the 2021 Naujaat bulk sample is progressing well. The use of new XRT sorting technology requires some additional auditing of results, and initial diamond recoveries from the first subsample are expected early in the new year,” said Ken Armstrong, CEO of North Arrow in a statement.
He added: “The DMS circuit is also still being optimized for the overall diamond recovery process and we are evaluating options to increase sample throughput. We expect to be able to map out a timetable for processing and reporting results from the entire sample early in the new year."
The $5.6 million bulk sample program is funded by partner Burgundy Diamond Mines, as part of a June 1, 2020 option agreement under which Burgundy may earn a 40% interest in the Naujaat project by funding the current bulk sample program.
Sample processing and diamond recovery involve three main steps starting with DMS to create a heavy mineral concentrate which is further upgraded through a secondary process circuit that includes XRT optical sorting and conventional grease table recoveries. Concentrates produced by the XRT and grease circuits are then hand sorted for final diamond recovery.
The Vancouver-based exploration company said that SRC is the first commercial diamond laboratory to integrate XRT recovery technology into their processing circuit, an important development as optical sorting has rapidly become the primary diamond recovery process at operating diamond mines.
The Naujaat project is located near the community of Naujaat, Nunavut. A total of eight kimberlite pipes have been identified within the project as well as several laterally extensive kimberlite dyke systems.
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