TSX: SWY SWY 07-21
May 14, 2007
STORNOWAY PROVIDES EXPLORATION UPDATE
On Schedule For First Renard Diamond Results In Q2
Stornoway Diamond Corporation (TSX-SWY) is pleased to provide an update on its extensive portfolio of diamond exploration and development properties. Stornoway’s Board of Directors has approved an aggressive $23 million capital expenditure program of focused exploration and development investment in support of its diamond growth strategy. Over the past six months, Stornoway has completed two transformative corporate transactions and raised over $65 million, positioning itself as one of Canada’s premier middle tier diamond companies. Stornoway now benefits from a larger market capitalization and a stronger financial platform that includes $43 million in working capital.
CEO Eira Thomas stated, “We are gearing up for an exciting exploration season, anticipating steady news flow from multiple projects, beginning shortly with the first bulk sample results from Renard, our most advanced project which has the potential of becoming Quebec’s first diamond mine. We have recently increased our working capital, primarily through equity issuances and assets sales, and realized a significant reduction in costs from the integration of Ashton, Stornoway and Contact, In 2007, Stornoway’s efforts will be focused on core assets that have the potential to build reserves and fuel growth.â??
Stornoway will be active on 20 diamond projects in 2007. Key program objectives include:
- completion of a 10,000 tonne bulk sample program on the Renard Project, with initial diamond recovery results anticipated in the 2nd quarter and final valuation results to follow in the 3rd quarter
- a 500 tonne minibulk sampling program at the advanced Churchill Project (designed to deliver over 200 carats for preliminary assessment of diamond value from one or more of the kimberlites) and delineation drilling of the Kahuna, Notch, Jigsaw and PST kimberlites
- advanced drilling of the Aviat Project’s large tonnage-potential eastern sheet complex and early stage exploration for prospective, un-sourced diamond indicator mineral anomalies
- continued early stage exploration (sampling, geophysics and target drilling) on promising diamond projects located throughout Canada, as well as Botswana, to ensure a strong property portfolio that fills the company’s ‘pipeline’ from grassroots to development stage projects.
Bulk Sampling
Renard Project (Foxtrot Property), Quebec (50% SWY) - Stornoway has commenced picking diamonds from mineral concentratres prepared by our 10 tonne per hour (10 tph) Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant, situated at the Renard project. Initial diamond results will be reported once concentrates from the first 500 tonnes have been completely picked, with subsequent results reported in batched stages. To date the DMS plant has successfully processed some 2,000 tonnes from the Renard 3 kimberlite and 500 tonnes from the Renard 2 and Renard 4 kimberlites. Stornoway anticipates that a total of some 6,000 tonnes of kimberlite will have been processed through the 10 tph DMS plant by the end of the second quarter. Final diamond extraction from all mineral concentrates is expected to be completed within the third quarter with a full market valuation following thereafter.
Elsewhere on the Foxtrot Property, summer exploration activities will include prospecting, till sampling, ground geophysics and drilling. In addition, a 500 tonne mini-bulk sample will be collected from the Lynx dyke with the objective of recovering a minimum 500 carat sample of diamonds for valuation purposes.
The Renard Project within the Foxtrot Property is a joint venture with SOQUEM INC., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Société Générale de Financement du Québec (“SGFâ??).
Advanced Exploration
Churchill, Nunavut (35.61% SWY) – As previously announced (Stornoway Press Release, April 25, 2007), minibulk sampling activities at the Churchill Diamond Project, operated by Shear Minerals, have successfully extracted some 400 tonnes of kimberlite from the Kahuna kimberlite dyke. The grade of Kahuna has been previously reported as 1.09 carats per tonne (cpt) (Stornoway Press Release, February 12, 2007). The 2007 program includes a 500 tonne minibulk sampling program designed to deliver over 200 carats for preliminary assessment of diamond value from one or more of the kimberlites, and delineation drilling of the Kahuna, Notch, Jigsaw and PST kimberlites.. Additional exploratory work will include drilling to help better define the size of the four diamondiferous dykes discovered in 2006, prospecting activities, the collection of 800 till samples to locate the source for as yet unexplained anomalous kimberlite indicator mineral trains with promising chemical signatures and extensive geophysics to trace the potential host structures and identify possible ‘blows’ or thickenings along the known dykes.
Aviat, Nunavut (70% SWY) – Stornoway’s 2007 field program on the Aviat Project has commenced, with camp construction currently underway. Exploration activities will focus on discovering the source of the ‘northern’ mineral anomaly as well as testing the continuity/surface projection of the other Aviat bodies outlined by work in 2006 (Stornoway Press Release; Oct. 11, 2006). Drilling is scheduled to begin in mid-May. Sampling (both till and rock) and prospecting will be initiated once snow cover has melted sufficiently, and will run for the duration of the program (currently anticipated to be in late August/early September).
Qilalugaq Property, Nunavut (SWY earning 50%) – Stornoway is pleased to announce the recovery of 1.38 carats of diamonds greater than 0.85mm square mesh screen from 4.2 dry tonnes of material collected from two surface pits excavated on the A28 kimberlite body by Stornoway in 2006. The largest stone weighed 0.587 carats, was retained on a 3.35mm square mesh screen and has been described as an intact macle aggregate (see picture). The resultant sample grade of 0.328cpt is higher than that obtained by BHP Billiton who previously collected a 9.6t sample from the same body by drilling and derived a grade of 0..26cpt (greater than 0.85mm square mesh). The reason for the apparent difference in grade is not known at the present time.
During 2006, Stornoway also discovered two kimberlite dykes by prospecting – the Naujaat 1 and Naujaat 2 bodies (Stornoway Press Release; August 23, 2006). Naujaat 1 was sampled at three locations along strike, N1 East, N1 Central (approximately 600m north-northwest of N1 East) and N1 West (approximately 1700m north-northwest of N1 Central). Caustic fusion has confirmed that the bodies are diamondiferous, although a possible variation in diamond content along strike is suggested by the results summarized below.
Due to time constraints and logistical considerations experienced in the field during 2006, only a single mini-bulk sample of 1.0 dry tonnes could be collected from the N1 West site. N1 Central and N1 East were not mini-bulk sampled in 2006, but will be revisited during 2007. DMS processing of the N1 West sample recovered only a single diamond on the 0.85mm square mesh screen, as shown below.
The A28 and Naujaat 1 mini-bulk samples were processed through a DMS plant owned by Stornoway and operated by Microlithics Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario, an independent mineral process laboratory currently providing services exclusively to Stornoway and its affiliates.. Caustic fusion analysis was also undertaken at Microlithics.
The 2007 exploration program on this one million acre property has commenced with a spring ground geophysical survey program, and will continue with summer prospecting and sampling activities.
Coronation Gulf Properties, Nunavut (100% SWY) – In mid 2006, Stornoway’s wholly owned subsidiary Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. optioned the Kim, Ric, Vic, Eokuk and James River properties to Vaaldiam Resources Limited (Ashton Press Release; July 17, 2006). As part of their earn-in, Vaaldiam collected some 88.25 dry tonnes of material from surface exposures of the Artemisia kimberlite, and another 1.2 dry tonnes from the Pegasus kimberlite. For Artemisia, Vaaldiam has reported the recovery of 13.038 carats of diamonds by DMS processing (using a 0.85mm square mesh screen cut-off), resulting in a grade of 14.77 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht). The largest stone, described as an off white, transparent octahedron, measured 1.011 carats. No stones were recovered on a 0.85mm square mesh screen for the Perseus kimberlite). Although the mini-bulk sampling results for Artemisia (reported below) confirmed the presence of commercial sized diamonds, Vaaldiam has informed Stornoway of their intention to terminate Vaaldiam’s participation in the Coronation Gulf properties (see Vaaldiam Press Release; May 08, 2007).
Early Stage Exploration
Timiskaming Properties, Ontario and Quebec (100% SWY) – Exploration on Stornoway’s landholdings in the Timiskaming area (acquired through the merger with Contact Diamond Corporation) has commenced, and will include a detailed airborne survey over the head of unsourced mineral distribution trains on the Elk Lake Property, till sampling to resolve mineral trains on several other properties and ground geophysics to better define the Baby kimberlite (Guiges Property, Quebec). Recent caustic fusion kimberlite from the Baby discovery drill hole (Contact Press Release; November 28, 2006) did not return any diamonds, although concurrent mineral chemistry studies suggest that a second undiscovered phase of kimberlite may be present at the Baby kimberlite. Drilling of the Baby kimberlite to confirm this hypothesis may be undertaken later this season. Other targets on the Timiskaming properties may also be drill tested, pending results of the summer 2007 work and availability of equipment. Additionally, DMS processing of a total of 1.95 dry tonnes of material collected from two diamondiferous lamprophyre dykes near Cobalt, Ontario (Contact Press Release; December 11, 2006), did not return significant numbers of diamonds. Both caustic fusion and DMS processing were undertaken by Microlithics Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario, an independent mineral process laboratory currently providing services exclusively to Stornoway and its affiliates.
Northern Alberta/NWT (SWY various interests) – Stornoway’s diamond exploration activities in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories are continuing, both on our 100% owned properties and through joint ventures, with ground checking and geophysical surveys of airborne targets (e.g. Calling Lake, OWIHK, RAM and Blackstone properties). Promising targets derived from this work will be prioritized for drilling, depending on weather and logistical considerations. [Note: Stornoway’s recent announcement of the proposed sale of the Buffalo Head Hills Property to a consortium of Diamondex Resources Ltd. and Shore Gold Inc. for a deemed price of $17.5 million (SWY Press Release; April 26, 2007) covers only ground previously held by Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. through a joint venture with Encana Corporation and Pure Diamonds Exploration Inc.]
Pikoo, Saskatchewan (100% SWY) – An airborne geophysical survey designed to identify the source of promising indicator mineral results obtained during Stornoway’s 2006 till sampling has commenced over the 100% owned Pikoo Property situated in central Saskatchewan. Anomalies derived from the airborne survey, as well as unsourced indicator mineral anomalies, will be investigated later in the 2007 season.
Sua Pan, Botswana (50% SWY) – Due to unseasonal weather conditions experienced in 2006, Stornoway was unable to undertake drilling activities on this property, situated some 50km north-northeast of the Orapa Mine within Botswana’s Cretaceous kimberlite trend. Stornoway plans to drill test 10-12 targets in late August or early September, depending on availability of suitable drilling rigs.
Other Projects (SWY various interests) – Stornoway and its wholly owned subsidiaries also hold varying interests in a number of other diamond properties and prospects, as well as significant regional geological, geochemical and geophysical databases. It is Stornoway’s intention to review these properties and databases, as well as other properties or information that may become available, in order to ensure that the combined company continues to maintain a portfolio of promising diamond projects that fill the ‘pipeline’ from grassroots to development stage. Exploration activities, including drilling, will be undertaken where warranted and where permitted by logistical and budgetary considerations. Results will be reported as appropriate.
Stornoway Diamond Corporation
Stornoway Diamond Corporation is one of Canada's leading diamond exploration and development companies, involved in the discovery of over 150 kimberlites in six Canadian diamond districts. The Company benefits from a diversified diamond property portfolio, a strong financial platform and a management team with experience in each segment of the diamond "pipeline" from exploration to marketing.
On behalf of the Board
STORNOWAY DIAMOND CORPORATION
/s/ “Eira Thomasâ??
Eira Thomas
President
For further information, please contact the Nick Thomas at 604-331-2271 or (888) 338-2200
This news release may contain forward looking statements, being statements which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, exploration results, resource or reserve estimates, anticipated production or results, sales, revenues, costs, "best-efforts" financings or discussions of future plans and objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are in Company documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange and provincial securities regulators, most of which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements.
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