Northern Empire Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:NEM) is pleased to report additional diamond results from the Stellaria kimberlite located on the Kikerk Lake property in the Coronation Gulf region of Nunavut. Initial diamond results were reported on July 17, 2002.
The Stellaria kimberlite is situated 700 m east of the diamondiferous Potentilla kimberlite. As reported on May 21, 2002, Stellaria was discovered by drilling a single vertical hole into a geophysical anomaly having approximate surface dimensions of 160 m x 50 m. A second hole was drilled in August from a location 40 m northwest of the discovery drill site at an inclination of 60 degrees from horizontal toward the vertical discovery hole. The drill passed through 16 m of glacial overburden and 52 m of dolomitic limestone before intersecting 21 m of hypabyssal kimberlite, giving Stellaria an estimated true width of 13 m.
A 110.7 kg sample of kimberlite drill core was processed by caustic dissolution at Ashton's North Vancouver laboratory. Table 1 presents a summary of the diamond results in square mesh sieve format. Table 2 presents the data in Table 1 together with the initial results disclosed on July 17. These data are not sufficient to infer an accurate diamond grade for this kimberlite.
Table 1 - November 8 Diamond Results
|
Sample Weight (kg) |
Numbers of Diamonds According to Sieve Size Fraction (mm)
|
Total Diamonds
|
|
+0.100
-0.150
|
+0.150
-0.212
|
+0.212
-0.300
|
+0.300
-0.425
|
+0.425
-0.600
|
+0.600
-0.850
|
+0.850
-1.180
|
+1.180
-1.700
|
|
110.7 kg
|
17
|
17
|
19
|
7
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
1
*Note 1
|
67
|
*Note 1: This diamond measures 2.3 x 1.4 x 0.9 mm.
Table 2 -Summary of Diamond Results for November 8, 2002 and July 17, 2002
|
Date Reported
|
Sample Weight (kg)
|
Numbers of Diamonds
|
|
Total Diamonds
≥0.1 mm
(in two dimensions)
|
≥0.5 mm
(in one dimension)
|
≥0.5 mm
(in two dimensions)
|
≥1.0 mm
(in two dimensions)
|
|
Nov. 8/2002
|
110.7
|
67
|
22
|
10
|
1
|
|
July17/2002
|
105.4
|
79
|
13
|
1
|
0
|
|
Total
|
216.1
|
146
|
35
|
11
|
1
|
The discovery of two diamondiferous kimberlites on the Kikerk Lake property confirms the need for further work on the property and in the region. Analysis of the 269 heavy mineral samples collected from the Kikerk Lake property in 2002 is currently underway. Once these results become available, the scope and nature of the 2003 winter program will be determined.
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 a 52.5 percent interest in the Kikerk Lake property with a right to earn a further 7% from Caledonia Mining Corporation's remaining 17.5% interest. Brooke Clements, Professional Geologist and Ashton's Vice President, Exploration, is responsible for the design and conduct of the Kikerk exploration programs and the verification and quality assurance of analytical results.
Northern Empire 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 3.5 million acres. The Company has 16 properties in the Coronation Diamond District, Melville Peninsula, Rankin Inlet area, and Otish Mountains Region of Quebec.
On behalf of the Board,
NORTHERN EMPIRE MINERALS LTD.
"John E. Robins"
John E. Robins, P. Geo.
President
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.