Northern Empire Minerals Ltd. (NEM:TSXV), is pleased to announce the collection of a mini-bulk sample from the Potentilla kimberlite and the discovery of the Stellaria kimberlite on the Kikerk Lake property in Nunavut
Potentilla Mini-bulk Sample
Discovered in September 2001, the Potentilla kimberlite consists of two phases: an upper layer of kimberlite breccia underlain by hypabyssal kimberlite. The body is overlain by approximately 10 m of glacial overburden. Microdiamond results from samples of drill core were reported on October 24, 2001.
During May 2002, a mini-bulk sample weighing approximately 5.5 tonnes was recovered from seven core holes drilled from two setups. One setup was located near the site of the discovery hole announced on September 7, 2001. A vertical hole drilled at this location exited kimberlite at a depth of 205 m. A vertical hole and five angle holes were drilled from the second setup located 20 m southeast of the discovery hole. These drill holes exited kimberlite at vertical depths ranging from 55 m to 118 m. An additional angle hole was drilled approximately 100 m north of the discovery hole without intersecting kimberlite. The drilling data indicate that Potentilla is oriented north-south and has maximum surface dimensions of 110 m x 50 m.
The Potentilla mini-bulk sample will be processed for macrodiamonds through Ashton Mining of Canada Inc.'s dense media separation plant in North Vancouver. Results are expected in the third quarter.
Stellaria Kimberlite
The Stellaria kimberlite was discovered during the recently completed winter 2002 field program. Situated approximately 700 m east of the Potentilla kimberlite, the body was found by drilling a vertical core hole on a geophysical anomaly having approximate surface dimensions of 160 m x 50 m. The anomaly is oriented along a geophysically defined linear feature having an approximate strike length of 2 km. A portion of this feature is situated up ice of a kimberlite indicator mineral dispersion hosting a significant G10 garnet population. The drill intersected approximately 20 m of glacial overburden underlain by 35 m of dolomitic limestone before entering hypabyssal kimberlite.
The drill intersected 39 m of kimberlite before entering dolomitic limestone at a depth of 94 m. The hole was terminated in the limestone at a depth of 129 m. Material collected from Stellaria will be processed for microdiamonds by caustic dissolution at Ashton's laboratory in North Vancouver.
During the winter 2002 program, two additional geophysical targets were drill tested on the Kikerk Lake property without intersecting kimberlite.
Northern Empire holds a 30% participating interest in the Kikerk Lake property and has advanced Ashton, the operator of the programs, its portion of this year's $1.56 million exploration program. Ashton has now acquired a 52.5 percent interest in the Kikerk Lake property from Caledonia Mining Corporation with a right to earn a further 7% from Caledonia.
A detailed airborne geophysical survey was completed on the northwestern portion of the Kikerk Lake property. The data is currently being interpreted and priority anomalies that are identified will be the subject of follow-up during the summer field season.
Northern Empire Minerals is a well-funded diamond exploration company with an aggressive acquisition and development philosophy. The Company has established itself as one of the premiere diamond explorers in Nunavut. The Company's property interests now total more than 2.9 million acres. The Company has properties in the Coronation Diamond District, on the Melville Peninsula and in the Otish mountain region of Quebec.
On behalf of the Board,
NORTHERN EMPIRE MINERALS LTD.
"John E. Robins"
John E. Robins, P. Geo.
President
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