Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. has discovered kimberlite indicator mineral (“KIM”) and precious metal anomalies at its Qilaq Project (“Qilaq”) on Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. Seven of the samples collected in 2009 at Qilaq returned probe-confirmed KIMs, including one sample that returned 405 KIMs, all of which were angular, which is an indication of a proximal kimberlite source. In addition, eight samples returned at least 10 gold grains, and one sample returned 350 gold grains.
On February 1, 2010, the Company was granted 119 prospecting permits covering approximately 1.5 million hectares (15,000 square kilometres) on the Cumberland Peninsula, also on Baffin Island. The new permit group was named the Cumberland Project (“Cumberland”), and its geologic characteristics are considered by Peregrine to be similar to those at Qilaq and Peregrine’s 9,800 square kilometre Chidliak Project (“Chidliak”), making it an ideal diamond exploration target. Peregrine has discovered 16 kimberlites at Chidliak since 2008, with three of these having diamond size distribution characteristics that are consistent with economic potential in arctic settings. Both Qilaq and Cumberland are 100%-owned by Peregrine.
Brooke Clements, Peregrine’s President, stated “The discovery of new, high-priority KIM and precious metals anomalies at Qilaq and the substantial diamond exploration successes we have had at our Chidliak and Nanuq projects since 2007 illustrate that Nunavut has tremendous mineral exploration potential and that it is under-explored relative to other regions of Canada. Both Chidliak and Qilaq started as grass-roots exploration programmes and we plan to apply the same methodology to efficiently evaluate the potential of Cumberland. We have made a strong commitment to working in Nunavut and we look forward to advancing all our exploration projects there in 2010.”
QILAQ
In February, 2009, 86 prospecting permits covering 12,500 square kilometres were acquired bordering Chidliak to the north, east and south. In the summer of 2009, 516 samples were collected to evaluate the Qilaq permit area for its diamond potential. Till and stream sediment samples were collected on a five by five kilometre grid. After analysing the results from the 516 samples, Peregrine chose to acquire four new prospecting permits and relinquish 29 permits, making the new area of Qilaq approximately 854,000 hectares (8,540 square kilometres) in 61 prospecting permits.
2010 follow-up work related to the metals anomalies identified at Qilaq will consist of detailed sampling, prospecting and mapping.
CUMBERLAND
The centre of Cumberland is located approximately 200 kilometres north of Chidliak and east of the community of Pangnirtung. The Cumberland project area is thought to be underlain by ancient Archean bedrock, like Chidliak and Qilaq. Most of the world’s major diamond deposits are hosted in similar geologic environments.
During July and August of 2010, Peregrine plans to evaluate Cumberland’s diamond potential by conducting a reconnaissance till sampling programme using Pangnirtung as a base. Pangnirtung, a hamlet with a population of 1,325 on the coast of Pangnirtung Fjord, is a modern community that continues to harvest the resources of the lands and waters of Cumberland Peninsula. Peregrine will continue to work closely with the community to minimize the impact of its operations on the environment.
Related posts:
- Peregrine Discovers Seven Additional Kimberlite Discoveries at Chidliak, Baffin Island, Nunavut
- Peregrine Diamonds Announces 2011 Diamond and Metals Exploration Programmes for Qilaq and Cumberland and Confirms Precious and Base Metal Anomalies
- Peregrine Diamonds Announces 2011 Diamond and Metals Exploration Programmes for Qilaq and Cumberland and Confirms Precious and Base Metal Anomalies
- Peregrine Discovers Four Additional Kimberlites at Chidliak, Baffin Island, Nunavut
- Peregrine Diamonds Discovers Third Kimberlite at Qilaq; Pipe Size Estimated at 2.5 Hectares
