JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim-listed Paragon Diamonds on Monday announced the commissioning of three major subcontracts at its 85%-owned Lemphane kimberlite project, in Lesotho, aimed at advancing the project towards an inferred resource status.

Multidisciplinary mining consultancy Paradigm Project Management has been appointed to undertake the scoping study to design an operational model to support a mining lease application the company intended to submit to the Lesotho Department of Mines during the first quarter.

The study, which would be completed and delivered to the company by the end of February, included openpit mine designs, tailings and waste rock disposal options, as well as process plant design and capital and operating costs estimates.

Paragon reported that elements of this study were already at an advanced preparatory stage.

Further, the company has appointed drilling specialists Rodio Geotechnics to undertake a 2 000 m first-stage delineation drilling programme to a maximum depth of 400 m to determine the internal structure and dimensions of the kimberlite body.

This programme would be followed by a more extensive 3 000 m campaign later this year to accurately delineate the kimberlite.

The drilling equipment was due to be mobilised and drilling expected to start later this month.

In addition, engineering and project management consultancy Amec was commissioned to deliver a full geological model of the Lemphane kimberlite, undertaking surface mapping and core logging.

The study programme was expected to start in February and continue for several months to deliver a clear understanding of the internal structure of the kimberlite with regard to geology and grade distribution, which, on completion, would be integrated with the geology mapped at surface and the surface bulk sampling results. 

The ultimate objective was a well-constrained resource in three dimensions, yielding reliable tonnage, grade and ore value data.

“The scoping study, drilling contract and geological modelling work programme, in conjunction with the company’s ongoing bulk sampling programme, will enable us to determine the economic potential of our flagship project,” Paragon MD Stephen Grimmer said in a statement.