Microdiamond grade as a regionalised variable – some basic requirements for successful local microdiamond resource estimation of kimberlites

Microdiamonds offer several advantages as a resource estimation tool, such as access to deeper parts of a deposit which may be beyond the reach of large diameter drilling (LDD) techniques, the recovery of the total diamond content in the kimberlite, and a cost benefit due to the cheaper treatment cost compared to large diameter samples. In this paper we take the first step towards local estimation by showing that micro-diamond samples can be treated as a regionalised variable suitable for use in geostatistical applications and we show examples of such output. Examples of microdiamond variograms are presented, the variance-support relationship for microdiamonds is demonstrated and consistency of the diamond size frequency distribution (SFD) is shown with the aid of real datasets. The focus therefore is on why local microdiamond estimation should be possible, not how to generate such estimates. Data from our case studies and examples demonstrate a positive correlation between micro- and macrodiamond sample grades as well as block estimates. This relationship can be demonstrated repeatedly across multiple mining operations. The smaller sample support size for microdiamond samples is a key difference between micro- and macrodiamond estimates and this aspect must be taken into account during the estimation process. We discuss three methods which can be used to validate or reconcile the estimates against macrodiamond data, either as estimates or in the form of production grades: (i) reconcilliation using production data, (ii) by comparing LDD-based grade estimates against microdiamond-based estimates and (iii) using simulation techniques.

     

Geology and diamond distribution of the 140/141 kimberlite, Fort à la Corne, central Saskatchewan, Canada

The Cretaceous age Fort à la Corne (FALC) kimberlite province comprises at least 70 bodies, which were emplaced near the edge of the Western Canadian Interior Seaway during cycles of marine transgression and regression. Many of the bodies were formed during a marine regression by a two-stage process, firstly the excavation of shallow, but wide, craters and then subsequent infilling by xenolith-poor, crater-facies, subaerial, primary pyroclastic kimberlite. The bodies range in size up to 2000 m in diameter but are mainly less than 200 m thick and thus comprise relatively thin, but high volume, pyroclastic kimberlite deposits. Each body is composed of contrasting types of kimberlite reflecting different volcanic histories and, therefore, are considered separately.

The 140/141 kimberlite is the largest delineated body in the province, estimated to have an areal extent below glacial Quaternary sediments in excess of 200 ha. The infilling of the 140/141 crater is complex, resulting from multiple phases of kimberlite. The central part of the infill is dominated by several contrasting phases of kimberlite. One of these phases is a primary pyroclastic airfall mega-graded bed up to 130 m in thickness. The constituents grade in size from very fine to coarse macrocrystic kimberlite, through to a basal breccia. The mega-graded bed is a widespread feature within parts of the body examined to date and at this current stage of evaluation appears to explain a variable diamond distribution within a tested portion of the pipe. A second different phase of kimberlite is interpreted as representing a younger nested crater within the mega-graded bed. Centrally located thicker intersections (>450 m) of this younger kimberlite may indicate a vent for the kimberlite crater. The thickness of the mega-graded bed increases with proximity to the younger kimberlite in the study area.

Macrodiamond minibulk sample grades from the mega-graded bed have been obtained from nine large diameter drill holes, located within the northwest part of the body from an area of 20 ha, which represents approximately 10% of the currently modeled kimberlite outline. Diamond grade increases with depth within the mega-graded bed and also increases, within the same unit, towards the centrally positioned younger kimberlite. Macrodiamond sample grades vary from low at the top of the mega-graded bed, to considerably higher grades near the base. Total sample grade per drill hole varies from moderate near the vent feature to lower grades 200–300 m from the vent feature. Macrodiamond stone frequency measured in stones per tonne shows a pronounced relationship with depth and proximity to the vent feature within the mega-graded bed. There is a strong correlation between depth and increased stones per tonne, and a similar correlation between stones per tonne and proximity to the vent feature. The data supports the emplacement model of the mega-graded bed and, in turn, this information is useful in understanding the macrodiamond distribution within this bed.     

Geology and resource development of the Kelvin kimberlite pipe,Northwest Territories,Canada

The early Cambrian to late Neoproterozoic Kelvin kimberlite pipe is located in the southeast of the Archean Slave Craton in northern Canada, eight km northeast of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine. Kelvin was first discovered in 2000 by De Beers Canada. Subsequent exploration undertaken by Kennady Diamonds Inc. between 2012 and 2016 resulted in the discovery of significant thicknesses of volcaniclastic kimberlite that had not previously been observed. Through extensive delineation drilling Kelvin has been shown to present an atypical, steep-sided inclined L-shaped pipe-like morphology with an overall dip of 15 to 20°. With a surface expression of only 0.08 ha Kelvin dips towards the northwest before turning north. The body (which remains open at depth) has been constrained to a current overall strike length of 700 m with varying vertical thickness (70 to 200 m) and width (30 to 70 m). Detailed core logging, petrography and microdiamond analysis have shown that the pipe infill comprises several phases of sub-horizontally oriented kimberlite (KIMB1, KIMB2, KIMB3, KIMB4, KIMB7 and KIMB8) resulting from multiple emplacement events. The pipe infill is dominated by Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite or “KPK”, historically referred to as tuffisitic kimberlite breccia or “TKB”, with less common hypabyssal kimberlite (HK) and minor units with textures transitional between these end-members. An extensive HK sheet complex surrounds the pipe. The emplacement of Kelvin is believed to have been initiated by intrusion of this early sheet system. The main pipe-forming event and formation of the dominant KPK pipe infill, KIMB3, was followed by late stage emplacement of additional minor KPK and a hypabyssal to transitional-textured phase along the upper contact of the pipe, cross-cutting the underlying KIMB3. Rb-Sr age dating of phlogopite from a late stage phase has established model ages of 531 ± 8 Ma and 546 ± 8 Ma. Texturally and mineralogically, the Kelvin kimberlite is similar to other KPK systems such as the Gahcho Kué kimberlites and many southern African kimberlites; however, the external morphology, specifically the sub-horizontal inclination of the pipe, is unique. The morphology of Kelvin and the other kimberlites in the Kelvin-Faraday cluster defines a new type of exploration target, one that is likely not unique to the Kennady North Project area. Extensive evaluation work by Kennady Diamonds Inc. has resulted in definition of a maiden Indicated Mineral Resource for Kelvin of 8.5 million tonnes (Mt) of kimberlite at an average grade of 1.6 carats per tonne (cpt) with an average diamond value of US$ 63 per carat (ct).

     

Geology of the Victor Kimberlite, Attawapiskat, Northern Ontario, Canada: cross-cutting and nested craters

The pipe shapes, infill and emplacement processes of the Attawapiskat kimberlites, including Victor, contrast with most of the southern African kimberlite pipes. The Attawapiskat kimberlite pipes are formed by an overall two-stage process of (1) pipe excavation without the development of a diatreme (sensu stricto) and (2) subsequent pipe infilling. The Victor kimberlite comprises two adjacent but separate pipes, Victor South and Victor North. The pipes are infilled with two contrasting textural types of kimberlite: pyroclastic and hypabyssal-like kimberlite. Victor South and much of Victor North are composed of pyroclastic spinel carbonate kimberlites, the main features of which are similar: clast-supported, discrete macrocrystal and phenocrystal olivine grains, pyroclastic juvenile lapilli, mantle-derived xenocrysts and minor country rock xenoliths are set in serpentine and carbonate matrices. These partly bedded, juvenile lapilli-bearing olivine tuffs appear to have been formed by subaerial fire-fountaining airfall processes.

The Victor South pipe has a simple bowl-like shape that flares from just below the basal sandstone of the sediments that overlie the basement. The sandstone is a known aquifer, suggesting that the crater excavation process was possibly phreatomagmatic. In contrast, the pipe shape and internal geology of Victor North are more complex. The northwestern part of the pipe is dominated by dark competent rocks, which resemble fresh hypabyssal kimberlite, but have unusual textures and are closely associated with pyroclastic juvenile lapilli tuffs and country rock breccias±volcaniclastic kimberlite. Current evidence suggests that the hypabyssal-like kimberlite is, in fact, not intrusive and that the northwestern part of Victor North represents an early-formed crater infilled with contrasting extrusive kimberlites and associated breccias. The remaining, main part of Victor North consists of two macroscopically similar, but petrographically distinct, pyroclastic kimberlites that have contrasting macrodiamond sample grades. The juvenile lapilli of each pyroclastic kimberlite can be distinguished only microscopically. The nature and relative modal proportion of primary olivine phenocrysts in the juvenile lapilli are different, indicating that they derive from different magma pulses, or phases of kimberlite, and thus represent separate eruptions. The initial excavation of a crater cross-cutting the earlier northwestern crater was followed by emplacement of phase (i), a low-grade olivine phenocryst-rich pyroclastic kimberlite, and the subsequent eruption of phase (ii), a high-grade olivine phenocryst-poor pyroclastic kimberlite, as two separate vents nested within the original phase (i) crater. The second eruption was accompanied by the formation of an intermediate mixed zone with moderate grade. Thus, the final pyroclastic pipe infill of the main part of the Victor North pipe appears to consist of at least three geological/macrodiamond grade zones.

In conclusion, the Victor kimberlite was formed by several eruptive events resulting in adjacent and cross-cutting craters that were infilled with either pyroclastic kimberlite or hypabyssal-like kimberlite, which is now interpreted to be of probable extrusive origin. Within the pyroclastic kimberlites of Victor North, there are two nested vents, a feature seldom documented in kimberlites elsewhere. This study highlights the meaningful role of kimberlite petrography in the evaluation of diamond deposits and provides further insight into kimberlite emplacement and volcanism.     

辽南42号金伯利岩管地质特征及找矿预测

辽南42号金伯利岩岩管主要由东部42-1号大岩管、西部42-2号小岩管和中部42-3号小小岩管组成。42-1号岩管从地表到40 m标高形态急剧收缩;42-2号岩管为烟筒状,40 m标高至-160 m标高面积比为1∶1.15;42-3岩管在-200 m标高处延深为脉状。42号岩管岩石类型为斑状金伯利岩、斑状富金云母金伯利岩、含或富含围岩角砾金伯利岩和含岩球斑状金伯利岩。岩石化学特征研究表明,岩石中w(SiO₂)、w(Al₂O₃)、w(TiO₂)值比山东胜利Ⅰ号金伯利岩和戴里值偏高,w(MgO)、w(Cr₂O₃)、w(K₂O)、w(Na₂O)、w(P₂O₅)值较戴里值偏低,但w(K₂O)、w(Na₂O)、w(P₂O₅)值比山东胜利Ⅰ号金伯利岩略高;w(ΣFe₂O₃+FeO)、w(CaO+H₂O)值与山东胜利Ⅰ号金伯利岩及戴里值相当。通过采样分析42-2号岩管金刚石含量高,42-1号岩管金刚石含量低;研究认为受造岩矿物橄榄石和金云母的影响,金刚石含量与橄榄石斑晶含量正相关,与金云母含量呈负相关;伴生矿物铬铁矿、镁铝榴石、碳硅石含量高,则金刚石含量也随之增高,为正相关;而锐钛矿于金刚石含量为负相关。基于研究区的三维建模、推覆构造研究,推测42号岩管不是根部相,其东部可能存在深部金伯利岩体。     

The Liqhobong kimberlite cluster: an update on the geology

The Cretaceous Liqhobong kimberlite cluster comprises six known diamondiferous Group 1 kimberlite bodies: the Main Pipe (8.5 ha), the Satellite Pipe (1.6 ha), the Discovery Blow (0.15 ha), the Blow (0.1 ha), the Main Dyke, and the East Dyke. Emplaced along a strike length of about 2.5 km, the kimberlites intruded Jurassic Drakensberg lavas and outcrop at altitude ranging from 2970 to 2670 m above sea level (masl) in the rugged Maluti Mountain terrain of Lesotho. The cluster’s intrusion was structurally controlled and emplacement occurred in at least three pulses. The dykes and the two blows (which are dyke enlargements emplaced ~900 m apart) comprise the earliest event and the Main and Satellite Pipes were emplaced during two separate, subsequent events. Each pipe has steep contacts with the country rock basalt. The two Blows have inward dipping contacts and narrow considerably at depth. Each of the Main and Satellite Pipes comprises multiple phases which range from largely volcaniclastic to marginally coherent kimberlites. The volume of the volcaniclastic kimberlite is always much more (>three times) than that of the coherent kimberlite. The larger Main and Satellite Pipes are diluted by country rock up to 40 vol% whereas the smaller Blows and Dykes typically have less than 10 vol% dilution. The degree of mantle sampling is highest (up to 40 vol%) in the smaller Blows and lower (~25 vol%) in the larger Pipes.

     

Geological characteristics and prospecting predictions of No.50 kimberlite pipe in Wafangdian diamond deposit of Liaoning Province

Taking No.50 kimberlite pipe of Wafangdian diamond deposit in Liaoning Province as an example, the authors systematically analyzed its geological characteristics. Based on the petrogeochemical analysis of porphyry phlogopite kimberlite, breccia porphyry kimberlite with surrounding rocks and kimberlite tuff breccia, it is found that there are less ultrabasic components in carbonated kimberlite tuff breccia and more ultrabasic components in kimberlite tuff breccia mixed with steatitization, serpentinization and carbonation. The content of Cr, Ni and Ti is relatively lower in kimberlite tuff breccia, slightly higher in breccia porphyrg phlogopite kimberlite with surrounding rocks and the highest in porphyry phlogopite kimberlite and porphyry kimberlite. This deposit is mainly composed of breccia porphyry kimberlite with surrounding rocks and porphyry phlogopite kimberlite, followed by kimberlite tuff breccia, breccia porphyry phlogopite kimberlite with surrounding rocks and kimberlite breccia. Chromite bearing pyrope, chromite and moissanite are associated minerals of the diamond deposit. The kimberlite ore-bearing grade is high in the western part and low in the eastern part in the horizontal direction, while the kimberlite ore-bearing grade changes little in the vertical direction. Through the three-dimensional modeling, it is inferred that instead of the root phase, No.50 kimberlite pipe is the fault dislocation caused by the EW nappe structural force with the No.50-1 kimberlite body at the depth of 600 m in the eastern pipe.     

辽宁瓦房店金刚石矿床50号岩管地质特征及找矿预测

以辽宁瓦房店金刚石矿床50号岩管为例,系统分析了该矿床的地质特征。通过对斑状富金云母金伯利岩、含围岩角砾斑状金伯利岩和金伯利凝灰角砾岩进行岩石地球化学分析发现: 碳酸盐化金伯利凝灰角砾岩超基性成分较少,滑石化、蛇纹石化及碳酸盐化混合金伯利凝灰角砾岩超基性成分较多; 铬、镍、钛在金伯利凝灰角砾岩中的含量较低,在含围岩角砾斑状金云母金伯利岩中的含量略高,在斑状富金云母金伯利岩和斑状金伯利岩中的含量最高。该矿床主要为含围岩角砾斑状金伯利岩和斑状富金云母金伯利岩,其次为金伯利凝灰角砾岩、含围岩角砾斑状金云母金伯利岩和含金伯利物质角砾岩。含铬镁铝榴石、铬铁矿和碳硅石是金刚石的伴生矿物。水平方向上,金伯利岩含矿品位西部较富,东部较贫; 垂直方向上,金伯利岩含矿品位变化较小。通过三维建模,推测50号岩管不是根部相,而是受EW向推覆构造作用影响发生的断层错位,在其东侧600 m深处存在50-1号金伯利岩体。     

Kimberlite age in the Arkhangelsk Province,Russia: Isotopic geochronologic Rb–Sr and <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar and mineralogical data on phlogopite

The paper reports detailed data on phlogopite from kimberlite of three facies types in the Arkhangelsk Diamondiferous Province (ADP): (i) massive magmatic kimberlite (Ermakovskaya-7 Pipe), (ii) transitional type between massive volcaniclastic and magmatic kimberlite (Grib Pipe), and (iii) volcanic kimberlite (Karpinskii-1 and Karpinskii-2 pipes). Kimberlite from the Ermakovskaya-7 Pipe contains only groundmass phlogopite. Kimberlite from the Grib Pipe contains a number of phlogopite populations: megacrysts, macrocrysts, matrix phlogopite, and this mineral in xenoliths. Phlogopite macrocrysts and matrix phlogopite define a single compositional trend reflecting the evolution of the kimberlite melt. The composition points of phlogopite from the xenoliths lie on a single crystallization trend, i.e., the mineral also crystallized from kimberlite melt, which likely actively metasomatized the host rocks from which the xenoliths were captured. Phlogopite from volcaniclastic kimberlite from the Karpinskii-1 and Karpinskii-2 pipes does not show either any clearly distinct petrographic setting or compositional differentiation. The kimberlite was dated by the Rb–Sr technique on phlogopite and additionally by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method. Because it is highly probable that phlogopite from all pipes crystallized from kimberlite melt, the crystallization age of the kimberlite can be defined as 376 ± 3 Ma for the Grib Pipe, 380 ± 2 Ma for the Karpinskii-1 pipe, 375 ± 2 Ma for the Karpinskii-2 Pipe, and 377 ± 0.4 Ma for the Ermakovskaya-7 Pipe. The age of the pipes coincides within the error and suggests that the melts of the pipes were emplaced almost simultaneously. Our geochronologic data on kimberlite emplacement in ADP lie within the range of 380 ± 2 to 375 ± Ma and coincide with most age values for Devonian alkaline–ultramafic complexes in the Kola Province: 379 ± 5 Ma; Arzamastsev and Wu, 2014). These data indicate that the kimberlite was formed during the early evolution of the Kola Province, when alkaline–ultramafic complexes (including those with carbonatite) were emplaced.     

Geology of the Renard 2 pipe to 1000 m depth,Renard Mine,Québec,Canada: insights into Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite emplacement

The Renard 2 pipe is currently the deepest-drilled and most extensively studied kimberlite body in the Renard cluster, central Québec, Canada, forming the major component of the Mineral Resource of Stornoway Diamond Corporation’s Renard Mine. Renard 2 is infilled with two distinct kimberlite units that exhibit Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite and related textures. Hypabyssal kimberlite also occurs as smaller cross-cutting sheets and irregular intrusions. The units are distinguished by their rock textures, groundmass mineral assemblages, olivine macrocryst size distributions and replacement products, mantle and country rock xenolith contents, whole rock geochemical signatures, bulk densities and diamond grades. These differences are interpreted to reflect different mantle ascent and near-surface emplacement processes and are here demonstrated to be vertically continuous from present surface to over 1000 m depth. The distinctive petrological features together with sharp, steep and cross-cutting internal contact relationships, show that each unit was formed from a separate batch of mantle-derived kimberlite magma, and was completely solidified before subsequent emplacement of the later unit. The mineralogy and textures of the ultra-fine-grained interclast matrix are consistent with those described at numerous Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite localities around the world and are interpreted to reflect rapid primary crystallization during emplacement of separate kimberlite magmatic systems. The units of fractured and brecciated country rock surrounding the main kimberlite pipe contain kimberlite-derived material including carbonate providing evidence of subsurface brecciation. Together these data show that Renard 2 represents the deeper parts of a Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite pipe system and demonstrates that their diagnostic features result from magmatic crystallisation during subsurface volcanic emplacement processes.

     

Risk quantification with combined use of lithological and grade simulations: Application to a porphyry copper deposit

The uncertainty in the recoverable tonnages and grades in a mineral deposit is a key factor in the decision-making process of a mining project. Currently, the most prevalent approach to model the uncertainty in the spatial distribution of mineral grades is to divide the deposit into domains based on geological interpretation and to predict the grades within each domain separately. This approach defines just one interpretation of the geological domain layout and does not offer any measure of the uncertainty in the position of the domain boundaries and in the mineral grades. This uncertainty can be evaluated by use of geostatistical simulation methods. The aim of this study is to evaluate how the simulation of rock type domains and grades affects the resources model of Sungun porphyry copper deposit, northwestern Iran. Specifically, three main rock type domains (porphyry, skarn and late-injected dykes) that control the copper grade distribution are simulated over the region of interest using the plurigaussian model. The copper grades are then simulated in cascade, generating one grade realization for each rock type realization. The simulated grades are finally compared to those obtained using traditional approaches against production data.     

Distribution of radioactive isotopes in rock and ore of Arkhangelskaya pipe from the Arkhangelsk diamond province

The contents of radioactive elements and the uranium isotopic composition of kimberlite in the Arkhangelskaya pipe at the M.V. Lomonosov deposit and of nearby country rocks have been studied. A surplus of ²³⁴U isotope has been established in rocks from the near-pipe space. The high γ = ²³⁴U/²³⁸U ratio is controlled by the geological structure of the near-pipe space. A nonequilibrium uranium halo reaches two pipe diameters in size and can be regarded as a local ore guide for kimberlite discovery. The rocks in the nearpipe space are also characterized by elevated or anomalous U, Th, and K contents with respect to the background.     

Petrogenesis of group A eclogites and websterites: evidence from the Obnazhennaya kimberlite,Yakutia

Mantle xenoliths from the Obnazhennaya kimberlite pipe, Yakutia, possess a large range of mineralogical and chemical compositions, from both group A and B eclogites. Major-element contents of the group A eclogites exhibit transitional features between the group B eclogites and peridotite. The Mg# of clinopyroxenes is 0.86–0.94, with 0.60–0.84 for garnets. Differences in concentration of LREEs exist between the Obnazhennaya group A and the well-studied group B eclogites from the Udachnaya kimberlite pipe. In general, garnets in the group A eclogites contain lower LREEs than those from the group B eclogites; however, the trend for clinopyroxene is reversed. High d ¹⁸O (5.46–7.81) values, and the positive Eu anomalies in the garnets and clinopyroxenes (Eu/Eu* 1.2–1.4) demonstrate the involvement of an oceanic crustal component in the formation of the group A eclogites. The group A eclogites formed between 21.0 and 37.6 kbar, and 711 and 923 °C, in a time interval of 1,071–1,237 Ma. An innovative model is proposed to explain the formation of the group A eclogites and websterites. It involves the reaction of a depleted mantle peridotite with TTG and carbonatite melts closely related to the subduction of oceanic crust.     

Kimberlite emplacement and mantle sampling through time at A154N kimberlite volcano,Diavik Diamond Mine: lessons from the deep

The Diavik Diamond Mine in the NWT of Canada has produced in excess of 100 million carats from 3 kimberlite pipes since mining commenced in 2002. Here, we present new findings from deep (>400 m below surface) mining, sampling and drilling work in the A154N kimberlite volcano that require a revision of previous geological and emplacement models and provide a window into how the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) below Diavik was sampled by kimberlite magmas through time. Updated internal geological models feature two volcanic packages interpreted to represent two successive cycles of explosive eruption followed by active and passive sedimentation from a presumed crater-rim, both preceded and followed by intrusions of coherent kimberlite. Contact relationships apparent among the geological units allow for a sequential organization of as many as five temporally-discrete emplacement events. Representative populations of mantle minerals extracted from geological units corresponding to four of the emplacement events at A154N are analyzed for major and trace elements, and provide insights into the whether or not kimberlites randomly sample from the mantle. Two independent geothermometers using clinopyroxene and garnet data indicate similar source depths for clinopyroxenes and G9 garnets (130–160 km), and suggest deeper sampling with time for both clinopyroxene and garnets. Harzburgite is limited to 110–160 km, and appears more prevalent in early, low-volume events. Variable ratios of garnet parageneses from the same depth horizons suggest random sampling by passing magmas, but deeper garnet sampling through time suggests early preferential sampling of shallow/depleted SCLM. Evaluations of Ti, Zr, Y and Ga over the range of estimated depths support models of the SCLM underlying the central Slave terrane.

     

Recent advances in the geology of Koffiefontein Mine, Free State Province, South Africa

The complex internal geology of the Koffiefontein pipe has contributed to the marginal nature of the mine. The key to this is the presence of a large zone dominated by down-rafted country rock Karoo sediment and dolerite xenoliths. Recent work indicates that the kimberlite pipe at Koffiefontein consists of precursor dykes (the West and East Fissures), and the main pipe, in which two main eruptive phases have been recognized. Groundmass spinel compositions have been used to provide a chemical fingerprint of each lithology. There is evidence for at least three magma batches, each with its own chemical signature. Cross-cutting contact relationships were used to determine the emplacement sequence. The characterization of the different internal geological units permitted the development of a three-dimensional (3D) model of the pipe. Both main eruptive phases, viz., the Speckled west kimberlite and the Speckled east kimberlite comprise volcaniclastic kimberlite. They are separated by a large irregular mass of kimberlite that contains abundant country rock xenoliths comprising varying proportions of Karoo mudstone and dolerite, as well as probable bedded crater–facies fragments. This zone of contamination dilutes the grade of the kimberlites, affects the geotechnical stability and adversely affects the economics of the mine.     

New insights into volcanic processes from deep mining of the southern diatreme within the Argyle lamproite pipe,Western Australia

Underground mining and deep drilling of the richly diamondiferous ~1.2 Ga Argyle lamproite in Western Australia has prompted a re-evaluation of the geology of the pipe. Argyle is considered to be a composite pipe that formed by the coalescence of several diatremes and has been offset and elongated by post-emplacement faulting. Recent geological studies have recognised at least five distinct volcaniclastic lamproite lithofacies with differing diamond grades. The new data suggest that the centre of the southern (main) diatreme is occupied by well-bedded, olivine lamproite lapilli tuff with very high diamond grades (>10 ct/t). Characteristic features include a clast-supported fabric and high modal abundance of densely packed lamproite lapilli and coarse-grained, likely mantle-derived olivine now replaced by serpentine and/or talc. The persistence of small-scale graded and cross-bedding in this lithofacies to depths of ~1.5 km below the original surface prior to erosion suggests phreatomagmatic volcanism forming the diatreme was syn-eruptively accompanied by subsidence of the tephra, maintaining a steep-walled diatreme in the water-saturated country rock sediments.

     

Role of geology in diamond project development

For a mining operation to be successful, it is important to bring fundamental and applied science together. The mining engineer needs to understand the importance of geology, mineralogy and petrography, and how projects can benefit from the data collected during the exploration and pre-exploration stage. Geological scientists also need to understand the process of project development from the exploration stage through mine design and operation to mine closure. Kimberlite pipe or dyke emplacement, geology and petrology/mineralogy are three areas that illustrate how information obtained from the geological studies could directly influence the mining method selection and the project strategy and design. Kimberlite emplacement is one of the fundamental processes that rely on knowledge of the kimberlite body geology. Although the importance of the emplacement model is commonly recognized in the resource geology, mining engineers do not always appreciate its importance to the mine design. The knowledge of the orebody geometry, character of the contact zones, internal structures and distribution of inclusions could directly influence pit wall stability (thus strip ratio), underground mining method selection, dilution, treatability, and the dewatering strategy. Understanding the internal kimberlite geology mainly includes the geometry and character of individual phases, and the orientation and character of internal structures that transect the rock mass. For any mining method it is important to know “where the less and where the more competent rocks are located” to achieve stability. On the other hand, the detailed facies studies may not be important for the resource and mine design if the rock types have similar physical properties and diamond content. A good understanding of the kimberlite petrology and mineralogy could be crucial not only to the treatability (namely diamond damage and liberation), but also to the pit wall and underground excavation stability, support design, mine safety (mudrush risk assessment) and mine dewatering. There is no doubt that a better understanding of the kimberlite and country rock geology has a direct impact on the safety and economics of the mining operations. The process of mine design can start at the beginning of kimberlite discovery by incorporating the critical geological information without necessarily increasing the exploration budget. It is important to appreciate the usefulness of fundamental geological research and its impact on increased confidence in the mine design. Such studies should be viewed as worthwhile investments, not as cost items.     

Petrophysical properties of kimberlites from the Komsomolsky Pipe and their relationship to its composition,formation conditions,and diamond content

The paper discusses the petrophysical properties of kimberlites from the Komsomolsky Pipe and statistical analysis of their relationships with the data of petrographic and ore microscopic studies. Comparison of the obtained results with data of analogous studies in other Yakutian kimberlite pipes showed that these data can be applied for prognostic evaluation of kimberlite contents in kimberlite bodies of this region.     

3D geological modelling of the Renard 2 kimberlite pipe,Québec,Canada: from exploration to extraction

The Renard 2 kimberlite pipe is one of nine diamondiferous kimberlite pipes that form a cluster in the south-eastern portion of the Superior Province, Québec, Canada and is presently being extracted at the Renard Mine. It is interpreted as a diatreme-zone kimberlite consisting of two Kimberley-type pyroclastic units and related country rock breccias, all cross-cut by coherent kimberlite dykes and irregular intrusives. Renard 2 has been the subject of numerous diamond drilling campaigns since its discovery in 2001. The first two geological models modelled kimberlite and country rock breccia units separately. A change in modelling philosophy in 2009, which incorporated the emplacement envelope and history, modelled the entire intrusive event and projected the pipe shape to depth allowing for more targeted deep drilling where kimberlite had not yet been discovered. This targeted 2009 drilling resulted in a > 400% increase in the volume of the Indicated Resource. Modelling only the kimberlite units resulted in a significant underestimation of the pipe shape. Current open pit and underground mapping of the pipe shape corresponds well to the final 2015 geological model and contact changes observed are within the expected level of confidence for an Indicated Resource. This study demonstrates that a sound understanding of the geological emplacement is key to developing a reliable 3D geological and resource model that can be used for targeted delineation drilling, feasibility studies and during the initial stages of mining.

     

Carbon isotope heterogeneity in metamorphic diamond from the Kokchetav UHP dolomite marble,northern Kazakhstan

We analysed isotopic compositions of metamorphic microdiamond secondary ion mass spectrometry. Typical microdiamonds in this dolomite marble show star-shaped morphologies (S-type) consisting of single-crystal cores and polycrystalline rims. Four S-type microdiamonds and two R-type microdiamonds (single crystals with rugged surfaces) were analysed using a 5 μm diameter ion beam. S-type microdiamonds have heterogeneous carbon isotopic compositions even in a single grain. Analysis of a typical S-type microdiamond (no. xx01-1-13) revealed clear difference in δ¹³C between core and rim. The rim shows lighter isotopic compositions ranging from??17.2‰ to??26.9‰, whereas the core is much heavier, with δ¹³C ranging from??9.3‰ to??13.0‰. The δ¹³C values of R-type microdiamonds fall into narrow ranges from??8.3‰ to??14.9‰ for no. xx01-1-10 and from??8.3‰ to??15.3‰ for no. xx01-1-16. These δ¹³C values are similar to those of the S-type microdiamond cores. The R-type probably formed at the same stage as the core of the S-type, whereas rim growth at a second stage did not occur or occurred very weakly in R-type microdiamonds. These carbon isotopic data support the two-stage growth of microdiamonds in the Kokchetav ultrahigh-pressure host rock. To explain the second stage growth of S-type microdiamonds, we postulate a simple fluid infiltration of light carbon from neighbouring gneisses into the dolomite marble.