Stornoway Diamond Corporation is pleased to provide an update on recent activities at certain non-core exploration properties under option to North Arrow Minerals Inc. (“North Arrow”; see Stornoway press release dated March 14, 2013).
The option agreement allows North Arrow to acquire an 80% interest in each of the Qilalugaq, Pikoo and Timiskaming exploration projects by fully funding and completing a defined exploration program specific to each project. Drill programs have now been completed for the Pikoo and Temiskaming projects, with the following results.
Pikoo Project, Saskatchewan
During June and July, North Arrow completed ten drill holes (2,002 meters) at the Pikoo project, located approximately 120 kilometres east of La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Drilling targeted two separate areas with previously un-sourced kimberlite indicator trains. Hypabyssal kimberlite was intersected in nine of ten drill holes.
The most significant discovery was in the "South" Pikoo area where target PK150 returned kimberlite intersections from three holes: 28.89 meters (hole DDH13PK06 at a -590 inclination), 22.12 meters (DDH 13PK08 at -490) and 20.12 meters (DDH 13PK09 at -600). The PK150 kimberlite is interpreted as a near vertical body with a drill defined strike length of at least 75 meters. It is described as a dark grey hypabyssal kimberlite containing abundant olivine as well as common ilmenite, common garnets (purple to orange) and less common chrome diopside. Internal country rock dilution is estimated as less than 5% and mantle nodules ranging up to 10 cm have been observed.
In the "North" Pikoo area, five drill holes tested an east-west trending target over a 1.1 km strike length. The drill holes encountered between one and six individual kimberlite dykes ranging from 3 cm to 59 cm in width, interpreted to be vertical to steeply south dipping. Surficial Indicator mineral anomalies suggest the dyke system extends over a significantly greater strike length than tested by the current drill program.
The Pikoo project drilling program has confirmed the existence of a new kimberlite field within the Sask Craton of northern Saskatchewan, as suggested by previous geochemical sampling. Kimberlite intersections from drill holes that tested PK150 will be submitted for microdiamond analyses. Results from this work are expected in approximately eight weeks.
Temiskaming Project, Ontario
During March and April of this year, North Arrow completed five drill holes (547 m) on four geophysical targets located up ice from an un-sourced kimberlite indicator mineral train. Kimberlite was not intersected in any of the drill holes.
Terms of Option Agreement
Under the terms of the option agreement, North Arrow (through assignment by 0954506 B.C. Ltd.) has the right to earn an 80% interest in each of the Temiskaming, Pikoo and Qilalugaq Projects by completing specified option work programs in each area over a specified period of time. If North Arrow completes the option work program and provides notice to Stornoway of its intent to vest an 80% interest in the project, Stornoway has a one-time right (the “Back-in Right”) to buy-back a 20% interest in the project by paying to North Arrow an amount equal to three times the costs incurred in connection with the option work program. Upon earn-in by North Arrow, North Arrow and Stornoway will form a joint venture for the purpose of further potential exploration of each project, and the interests will be 80% North Arrow and 20% Stornoway, unless Stornoway exercises the Back-In Right, in which case the interests will be 60% North Arrow and 40% Stornoway.
Following the completion of the Temiskaming work program, Stornoway informed North Arrow that it did not intend to exercise its Back-In Right, such that the interests in the Temiskaning Project now stand at 80% North Arrow and 20% Stornoway. The option work program at Pikoo is expected to be completed upon receipt of microdiamond analysis from the kimberlite intersections. Work at the Qilalugaq Project is not expected to be initiated until 2014.
Qualified Persons
The 2013 Pikoo drilling program was conducted under the direction and supervision of Barbara Kupsch, P.Geol., project manager for the Pikoo Project. Stornoway's diamond exploration programs are conducted under the direction of Robin Hopkins, P.Geol. (NT/NU), Vice President, Exploration, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Hopkins has reviewed and approved the contents of this release.
Source: http://www.stornowaydiamonds.com/