North Arrow recovers 64.25 carats from Naujaat Diamond Project

North Arrow Minerals Inc. [NAR-TSXV; NHAWF-OTC] on Wednesday February 28 reported final diamond recoveries from a 309.8-tonne mini bulk sample collected in July 2017 from the diamondiferous Q1-4 kimberlite at th100%-owned Naujaat Diamond Project near the hamlet of Repulse Bay, Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic.

Highlights from Wednesday’s announcement include:

A total of 1,991 diamonds greater than +1 DTC (-1 mm) weighing 64.25 carats were recovered from 209.84 dry tonnes of kimberlite for an overall sample grade of 30.6 cpht (carats per hundred tonnes). The three largest recovered diamonds are 5.25, 2.09 and 1.06 carats.

Yellow diamonds, representing a range of hues and tones, represent approximately 10.7% (by stone count) of the recovered diamonds (21.2% by carat weight).

Diamonds recovered from a subsample of the A88 phase (Blue kimberlite) include a similar proportion of yellow diamonds as seen in the 2014 sampling of the A28 phase.

A ‘Green’ kimberlite unit, also processed as a separate subsample, is interpreted as a previously unrecognized and volumetrically minor unit in the Q1-4 kimberlite and contains proportionately fewer coloured diamonds than the A88 and A28 phases.

The 12.5 hectare Q-1-4 kimberlite on the Naujaat ranks as one of the largest undeveloped diamond resources in Canada. It contains a significant population of extremely rare, potentially high value, fancy vivid orangey yellow diamonds as certified by the Gemology Institute of America and Canadian Gem Labs.

The collection of a bulk sample was part of a $3.2 million summer exploration program that was planned for the site.

A total of 250 large bags of kimberlite with an approximate field weight of 234 wet tonnes were collected from a single sample pit at the Q1-4 kimberlite, the company said.

“As intended, this point source mini-bulk sample will help provide an indication of the diamond population and recoverable grade in a previously under sampled, but accessible area of Q1-4 with the goal of providing information to help plan the collection of a larger bulk sample for the purposes of diamond valuation in support of an economic assessment of the deposit,” said North Arrow President and CEO Ken Armstrong.

The company is preparing for exploration drilling programs this spring at the Loki and LDG Projects in the Northwest Territories, while awaiting results from its Pikoo (SK) Project in Saskatchewan.

North Arrow also maintains a 100% interest in the Hope Bay Oro Gold Project which is located approximately 3 km north of TMAC Resources Inc. [TMR-TSX] new Doris Gold Mine in Nunavut.

North Arrow shares were unchanged at 21.5 cents in late morning trading Wednesday. The 52-week range is 16.5 cents and 40 cents.