Karelian Diamond Resources Plc has released findings from indicator minerals and microprobe analyses conducted during a stream sampling program in Northern Ireland. These results affirm the potential for nickel, copper, and platinum metals within the company’s licensed area. This sampling program served as a follow-up to a prior one, which also indicated the area’s potential for these valuable metals and was previously announced by the company on November 10, 2021.
During this recent program, 33 sediment samples were collected from streams within the company’s three licenses, covering approximately 750 km2 in Northern Ireland. The average weight of each sample was around 18 kg. These samples were sent to Overburden Drilling Management Limited (ODM) in Canada for concentration, picking, and mineral analysis using ODM’s trademarked metamorphic/magmatic solid sulphide indicator minerals (MMSIM’s) technique.
Notably, ODM has played a pivotal role in several global discoveries, including the Voisey’s Bay Nickel-Cobalt Deposit in Labrador, Canada. The combined results of this recent program, along with the previous one, point to an exceptionally unique catchment area. Within this area, five samples contained over 1000 indicator minerals each, predominantly composed of chromite and forsterite, with some chalcopyrite and gold grains.
Moreover, the microprobe analysis conducted on samples from the 2021 sampling program identified four samples with high zinc oxide chromites. Elevated zinc oxide levels can signify the presence of nickel-copper group element-rich sulphide deposits. It was also observed that some chromites contained inclusions of iron, nickel, sulphur, particularly at the edges of the chromite crystals, indicating the potential presence of nickel mineralization.
As part of the company’s exploration strategy, a follow-up program will be initiated, with a specific focus on the watershed exhibiting high anomalies. Additional microprobe analysis will also be conducted to pinpoint potential drilling targets. As the exploration program advances, Karelian Diamond Resources Plc intends to release further findings and updates.