Diamond Exploration Overview

EXPLORATION SAMPLE PROCESSING
Heavy mineral concentrates can be made from rock, till, soil and alluvial exploration samples through a combination of wet screening and a variety of density concentration techniques. Custom design of the process flowsheets by clients can be accommodated.

MACRO AND MICRO-DIAMOND EXTRACTION
Macro-and micro-diamond extraction is done on exploration-(outcrop, drill core) and evaluation-(mini-bulk and bulk) stage samples by caustic dissolution and attrition milling. Bulk sample processing rates of 1-15 TPH can be accommodated at our Lakefield, Ontario facilities.

PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF DIAMOND HOST ROCK AND XENOLITH SUITES
Petrographic description and classification of diamond host-rock suites (kimberlite and lamproite) and xenolith samples is offered for outcrop, drill core and bulk sample characterization. Whole rock, trace element and mineral chemistry also can be evaluated by geochemical, microprobe and LA-ICP-MS analysis.

INDICATOR MINERAL SELECTION, CLASSIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
Diamond indicator minerals (garnet, chromite, ilmenite, Cr-diopside, orthopyroxene, olivine, phlogopite, zircon and tourmaline) are picked from heavy mineral concentrates produced during sample processing. Grain morphologies and surface characteristics can be described and evaluated on request. The geochemistry of selected indicator grains may be evaluated by electron microprobe analysis.

DIAMOND SELECTION, CLASSIFICATION AND EVALUATION
Binocular and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used in the identification, classification and description of diamonds picked from heavy mineral concentrates and caustic dissolution residues. Diamond evaluation and valuation are available.

MANTLE GEOTHERMS AND NI-AND ZN-IN-GARNET GEOTHERMOMETRY
The fertility of the mantle source region of the kimberlite to host diamonds can be evaluated from the ambient mantle geotherm at the time of kimberlite eruption. This can be calculated using the microprobe and LA-ICP-MS chemistry of silicates and oxides in mantle-derived, ultrabasic xenolith suites and in garnet, chromite and ilmenite macrocrysts selected from drill core and bulk samples.