Stornoway (SWY.TO) Completes Renard 65 Bulk Sample Field Program
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 21, 2012) - Stornoway Diamond Corporation (TSX:SWY) is pleased to announce that it has completed the field portion of a bulk sample program on the Renard 65 Kimberlite pipe, located at Stornoway's 100% owned Renard Diamond Project in north-central Quebec. The program was announced in a press release dated July 23, 2012.
The objective of the bulk sample program is to collect a large enough parcel of diamonds to allow the conversion of material that is currently classified as an Inferred Mineral Resource at Renard 65 to an Indicated Mineral Resource and then, if warranted, to a Mineral Reserve. Sampling commenced in July with the objective of collecting five thousand tonnes from a surface trench through blasting. Following the trenching, a sample of approximately 5,147 dry tonnes of kimberlite from Renard 65 was processed at the 10 tonne per hour Dense Media Sample plant located at the Renard project site. A heavy mineral concentrate produced by the plant will now undergo final diamond recovery at Stornoway's North Vancouver lab facilities. Diamond results are expected in Q1 2013. Given the estimated diamond content at the sampling site, it is expected that approximately 1,000 carats of diamonds will be recovered, which will be sent to Antwerp, Belgium for valuation.
Matt Manson, President and CEO, commented: "We are pleased that trenching and processing of the Renard 65 bulk sample has progressed so well to date. Although Renard 65 is lower grade than the other four kimberlites contained within the Renard Mineral Resource, it is the largest pipe discovered to date at Renard and is amenable to large scale open-pit mining. The successful conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources at Renard 65 to a Mineral Reserve will allow us to plan for an expanded processing rate and an extension of the reserve mine life beyond the current 11 years. This is all expected to add value to the project."
In November 2011, Stornoway released the first National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 compliant Mineral Reserve estimate for Renard of 18.0 Mcarats (representing 23.0 million tonnes at an average grade of 78 carats per hundred tonnes, or "cpht") at a weighted average diamond valuation of US$180/carat. The project's Inferred Mineral Resources comprise an additional 17.5 Mcarats (31.1 Mtonnes at an average grade of 56 cpht), and targets for further exploration outside of the Mineral Resource statement have been estimated at between 23.5 and 48.5 Mcarats (55.1 to 75.5 Mtonnes at grades ranging from 23 to 188 cpht). Within this resource inventory, Renard 65 contains an Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.7 Mcarats (representing 12.9 mtonnes at an average grade of 29 cpht) to a depth of 290m, with an exploration potential estimated at between 6.8 and 13.7 Mcarats (29.5 to 41.6 Mtonnes at between 23 and 33 cpht) from 290m to 775m in depth. All kimberlites remain open at depth.
The reader is cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. In addition, the potential quantity and grade of any exploration target is conceptual in nature, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in it being delineated as a mineral resource.
Qualified Persons
Mr. David Skelton, P.Geo. (QC), P.Geol (AB), Vice President, Project Development for Stornoway is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and was responsible for supervising the Renard 65 bulk sample program on the Renard Diamond Project. Mr. Skelton has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this release.
About the Renard Diamond Project
The Renard Diamond Project is located approximately 250 km north of the Cree community of Mistissini and 350 km north of Chibougamau in the James Bay region of North-Central Québec. In November 2011, Stornoway released the results of a Feasibility Study for Renard that highlighted the potential of the project to become a significant producer of high value rough diamonds over a long mine life. NI 43-101 compliant Probable Mineral Reserves stand at 18.0 million carats, with a further 17.5 million carats classified as Inferred Mineral Resources, and 23.5 to 48.5 million carats classified as non-resource exploration upside. All kimberlites remain open at depth. Pre-production capital cost stands at an estimated C$802 million, with a life of mine operating cost of C$54.71/tonne giving a 68% operating margin over an initial 11 year mine life. Readers are referred to the technical report dated December 29, 2011 in respect of the Renard Diamond Project for further details and assumptions relating to the project.
About Stornoway Diamond Corporation
Stornoway is a leading Canadian diamond exploration and development company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. Our flagship asset is the 100% owned Renard Diamond Project, on track to becoming Québec's first diamond mine. Stornoway also maintains an active diamond exploration program with both advanced and grassroots programs in the most prospective regions of Canada. Stornoway is a growth oriented company with a world class asset, in one of the world's best mining jurisdictions, in one of the world's great mining businesses.
On behalf of the Board
STORNOWAY DIAMOND CORPORATION
