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The Tsabong kimberlite field is located in south western Botswana, approximately 280 kilometres south west of the Jwaneng Mine, which is the world's most profitable diamond mine, producing over $2 billion revenue and over $1.8 billion operating profit per annum. The Tsabong project extends over an area of approximately 7,400 square kilometres, and covers the entire Tsabong kimberlite field.

Tsabong is one of the largest diamondiferous kimberlite fields in the world, containing 85 known kimberlites, of which 18 have been proven to be diamondiferous. It is noted for the exceptionally large size of many of its kimberlites, in particular the 180 hectare MK1 kimberlite, which is one of the largest known diamondiferous kimberlites. The Tsabong field also contains five kimberlites larger than 50 hectares and 32 kimberlites between 20 and 50 hectares in size. Work at Tsabong has been primarily focused on 14 high interest kimberlites that were selected on the basis of diamond content, kimberlite indicator mineral ("KIM") chemistry and size. A programme of 17,000 metres of core and percussion drilling has been undertaken on these kimberlites to obtain material for detailed microdiamond, KIM chemistry and petrographic analyses. Bulk samples from selected kimberlites is being undertaken by large diameter drilling to provide an indication of grade and diamond value.

Exploration at Tsabong is targeting approximately 80 well defined geophysical anomalies that have been identified by interpretation of aeromagnetic survey data over the area. The company expects the total number of kimberlites in the Tsabong area to reach more than 100, once exploration has been completed.

With rough diamond prices estimated to have tripled since the Tsabong field was discovered in the early 1980's, the threshold for economic viability is modest. A kimberlite in Tsabong with a grade of 20 cpht and average quality diamonds of $100 per carat would support a large-scale, profitable mining operation. Access to the area is via tarred road from Gaborone and infrastructure in the area is good. Firestone owns a 100% interest in the Tsabong project.

Image & map gallery Click the images for enlargements

Aeromagnetic survey of the central Tsabong area

Core drilling mk1 March 2007

Core storage facility Tsabong town

Cross section mk1 kimberlite

Kimberlite core mk1 at 257m

Tsabong town