Rio Tinto's huge trench cutter rig in position on one of the ten deep holes it has excavated at Fort à la Corne. (file photo/Star Diamond Corp.)

By Glenn Hicks

diamond finds

Diamonds recovered from tenth and final trench at Fort à la Corne

Jan 12, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Diamonds have now been recovered from bulk sampling of all 10 of the huge trenches excavated by Rio Tinto in 2019 at the Fort à la Corne exploration site 60 kilometres east of Prince Albert, but it’s not yet clear what further activities are planned.

Some of the precious stones found in the tenth trench exceeded five carats. However, Star Diamond Corporation, which is in a rocky relationship with its mining partner, says while they expect large, high value diamonds to come from a future diamond producing mine, critical work remains to be done before a full report can be concluded.

Star Diamond reported Tuesday that a total of 3,423 diamonds weighing 199.36 carats have been recovered to date from the tenth bulk sample trench.

The trench produced 14 diamonds greater than one carat, the three largest of which were 8.59, 6.52 and 5.09 carats.

Ken MacNeill, President and CEO of Star Diamond, said the initial results from the 10 reported trenches continues to validate the grades of diamonds they expect to be found based on the company’s own prior historic bulk sampling and drilling programs.

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However, one of the major points of contention between Star Diamond and Rio Tinto – who are embroiled in court action – is the damage Star Diamond says is happening to the recovered diamonds.

“Until all required work is completed, including critically important comprehensive diamond breakage studies, complete sample processing and the necessary audits of the work, the processing, diamond recovery and reporting of all diamond results on these 10 bulk sample trenches is not complete,” the media release stated.

Star Diamond claims an internal study shows mining giant Rio Tinto’s methods of extraction and bulk sampling are unproven and are damaging the diamonds while also causing major cost overruns.

Rio Tinto disagrees. It said it remains focused on reviewing the bulk sampling results and is assessing options to progress the project. There has been no indication as to the scope of work planned at the site for 2021.

The project – if it becomes a viable diamond mining operation – has the potential to employ hundreds of people over a 30-year lifespan.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow