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ROCKWELL DIAMONDS INCORPORATED - Rockwell issues update on resource estimates and other developments in the Middle Orange River diamond fields

Release Date: 09/03/2015 14:30
Code(s): RDI     PDF:  
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Rockwell issues update on resource estimates and other developments in the Middle Orange River diamond fields

Rockwell Diamonds Inc.
(A company incorporated in accordance with
the laws of British Columbia, Canada)
(Incorporation number BCO354545)
(South African registration number: 2007/031582/10)
Share code on the JSE Limited: RDI
ISIN: CA77434W2022 Share code on the TSXV: RDI
CUSIP Number: 77434W103
("Rockwell" or "the Group")

Rockwell issues update on resource estimates and other developments in the Middle Orange River
diamond fields
__________________________________________________________________________________________

March 9, 2015, Vancouver, BC – Rockwell Diamonds Inc. ("Rockwell" or the "Company") (TSX: RDI; JSE: RDI)
announces an update on resources relating to its proposed acquisition of the Bondeo properties along with other
developments relating to its Middle Orange River (“MOR”) strategy.

Highlights:
- 7.1 million m3 Inferred Mineral Resource estimated at Remhoogte at a grade of 0.9 cphm3 and average carat
  value of US$2,900 per carat;
- Ongoing consolidation of Middle Orange River expansion opportunities boosted by exploration agreement
  covering the Lanyonvale 376 (“Lanyonvale”) property;
- Continuing exploration in the region initiated for fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017; and
- A high value 121-carat yellow octagonal diamond recovered at Saxendrift.

Remhoogte Resource
An Inferred Mineral Resource of 7,056,000 m3 of Rooikoppie gravel at a grade of 0.9 carats per 100m (“cphm3“)
with an average value of $2,900 per carat has been estimated at Remhoogte after reevaluating historical,
geological and field mapping data; the survey of areas mined since commencement of operations on the property
and the available production and sales results. The largest stone recovered from Remhoogte to date weighed 178
carats. The Company has filed on SEDAR a technical report titled “Technical Report on the Remhoogte/Holsloot
Alluvial Diamond Project, Hay District, Republic of South Africa for Rockwell Diamonds Inc.” dated March 9, 2015
with an effective date of February 6, 2015 pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 in connection with the Inferred
Mineral Resource estimate for the Remhoogte Resource.

In addition, as part of its ongoing evaluation of the Bondeo acquisition properties, the Company has identified an
Exploration Target with potential for a further 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 m3 of fluvial-alluvial gravels (target grades
of approximately 0.4 to 1.5 cphm3 and anticipated diamond values ranging from US$2,500 to US$4,000 per
carat). Limited sampling of the fluvial-alluvial gravel has recovered 446 carats with the largest diamond recovered
being a 27-carat stone. The Company intends to announce a further resource estimation on the fluvial-alluvial
gravel once bulk sampling has been completed.

Exploration agreement at Lanyonvale 376
As part of its ongoing exploration of the MOR diamond potential, the Company announces that it has entered into
an exploration agreement which covers the Lanyonvale property which is considered to be transgressed by paleo
river channels with significant potential to add to the Company’s resources and mining flexibility.

An exploration agreement reached with the prospecting and surface rights holder of the 2,300 ha property
provides for the Company to determine the potential of the property which is contiguous to the Western boundary
of Wouterspan and the Northern boundary of Niewejaarskraal and subject to positive results will include the
property in its mining plans.

Rockwell’s dominant Land Mineral Right holdings in the MOR along with tracts of the proto Orange River:
http://www.rockwelldiamonds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/RDIs-Land-Mineral-Right-holdings-in-MOR.png

Exploration update
The Company is continuing its exploration programme in the region and announces that in fiscal 2016, it plans to
spend $0.35 million (ZAR4 million) on an exploration programme consisting of field mapping and geological
delineation; Rooikoppie pitting and fluvial-alluvial drilling across its properties, at Niewejaarskraal and
Wouterspan. At Lanyonvale, a combined programme of mapping, pitting and reverse circulation drilling is planned
which could potentially lead to the announcement of an exploration target. Based on the positive results of the
Preliminary Economic Study at Wouterspan, pitting will be carried out on a tight grid to add to the geological
understanding upon the recommencement of trial mining.

121 carat rough diamond recovered at Saxendrift
Rockwell is pleased to announce that a high value 121-carat yellow octagonal rough diamond was recovered at
Saxendrift, the Company’s flagship operation in the MOR in February 2015, bringing the number of +100 carat
diamonds recovered in the MOR to ten since September 2013.

Commenting on the transaction James Campbell, CEO and President said:
“Estimation of an Inferred Resource at Remhoogte has the potential to add approximately 63,500 carats to our
diamond inventory, at an average value of US$2,900 per carat. This further entrenches Rockwell’s positioning in
the MOR alluvial diamond fields. The Lanyonvale exploration agreement, together with the recently granted
mining and prospecting rights in the MOR, will provide additional green fields opportunities to support our longer
term organic growth objectives. In the short term, our intended acquisition of the Remhoogte/Holsloot Project is
expected to lift our monthly volume beyond our 500,000m3 target. With the additional MOR exploration and
development projects, there is potential for us to be able to further grow our production base and improve the
Company’s profitability post the Bondeo acquisition. We have launched a formal exploration programme,
underpinned by our in depth knowledge of the regional geology, to ensure that we deliver these new opportunities
as projects.”

Additional Information on the Remhoogte/Holsloot Project
Sampling
Steyn Diamante CC (“Steyn”) has been operating on the Remhoogte/Holsloot Project since March 2014. Steyn
has sampled mainly colluvial Rooikoppie gravels from the properties. The diamond register indicates that some
10,379.48 carats were recovered from the Remhoogte/Holsloot Project during the period from March 17, 2014 to
February 6, 2015. These stones were sold on the open market for some US$2,900 per carat.

Due to the nature of the Steyn operation on the Remhoogte/Holsloot Project, only limited verification of the
sample data has been possible.
All diamonds recovered have been recorded by Steyn and a list was provided to Rockwell in an Excel
spreadsheet. It has not been possible to verify the accuracy of this data. It has, further, not been possible to
determine the efficiencies of the processing plants as details of the tracer tests are not available (although such
tests were done, the results were never recorded).

Payment for diamond parcels was received by electronic transfer and a formal broker’s note was provided from
the buyer. This data is, subsequently, added to the production database. Each broker’s note has been examined
by the Qualified Persons responsible for the technical report on the Remhoogte/Holsloot Project (the “Qualified
Persons”) and found to be present and correct.

The drillhole database was imported into Rockwell’s Datashed QAQCTM, a database programme which enforces
compliance through various protocol levels. This process along with an independent review of the database
highlighted various inaccuracies in 45 holes. A re-assessment of these holes by Rockwell indicated that the errors
were present in the original data. As a result, these holes have been excluded from any further interpretation.
With respect to the drilling data, Rockwell’s previous encounters have shown that there is often less than 80%
correlation between the drilling results and actual (fluvial-alluvial) gravel profiles as seen in the mining/sampling
pits. It is important to note that this lack of confidence in the drilling results extends primarily to the calcreted
fluvial-alluvial units. The identification of the Rooikoppie gravel units is a much simpler matter of bright red sandy
gravels vs white calcreted gravels.

The surveyed sample volumes were sent to Rockwell under certificate from an independent professional surveyor
(RBG Surveys (Pty) Ltd (“RBG”)) and subsequently captured onto the production database by the Database
Coordinator and verified by the Group Technical Manager. The procedures and protocols of the surveyor have
been reviewed by the independent Qualified Person and found to be in accord with industry standard. In addition,
the surveyor provided a Digital Terrain Model (“DTM”) of the area surveyed to Rockwell. This DTM was imported
into Gemcom Surpac (v 6.0.1), which calculated the volume of the mined area – no material difference was found
between the calculated volume and the survey volume.

During January 2015, Rockwell appointed RBG to survey the areas sampled by Steyn. The surveyed sample
volumes as at February 6, 2015 totalled 1,123,877m3.

Mineral Resource Estimates
The Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) definitions do not deal specifically with the
peculiarity of alluvial diamonds deposits when it comes to Mineral Resource or Reserve estimations. The reason
for this is that, historically, companies mining such deposits have not been listed on any Canadian exchanges
requiring guidance in these matters. The South African Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves (the “SAMREC Code”), however, has separate definitions for Diamond Resources and Reserves. The
Inferred Mineral Resource categories used in the news release follows the CIM definition. The resultant
estimations are materially similar to those set out in the SAMREC Code

CIM Standards define Inferred Mineral Resources as:
“…. that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of
geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade
continuity.”
The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to
Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will be
upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource as a result of continued exploration. Confidence in the
estimate is insufficient to allow the meaningful application of technical and economic parameters or to enable an
evaluation of economic viability worthy of public disclosure. Inferred Mineral Resources must be excluded from
estimates forming the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

For comparison, the SAMREC code defines an Inferred (Diamond) Resource as:
“…. that part of a Diamond Resource for which tonnage or volume, grade and average diamond value can be
estimated with a low level of confidence. It is inferred from geological evidence and assumed, but not verified,
geological and grade continuity and a sufficiently large diamond parcel is not available to ensure a reasonable
representation of the diamond assortment. It is based on information gathered through appropriate techniques
from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that may be limited or of uncertain quality
and reliability.”

This category, which has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource is
intended to cover situations where a mineral concentration or occurrence has been identified and limited
measurements and sampling completed, but where the data are insufficient to allow the geological and/or grade
continuity to be confidently interpreted. Due to the uncertainty which may be attached to some Inferred Mineral
Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will necessarily be upgraded to
an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource as a result of continued exploration. Further, confidence in the
estimate is insufficient to allow the meaningful application of technical and economic parameters or to enable an
evaluation of economic viability worthy of public disclosure.

Current Mineral Resource Estimates
Contrary to popular opinion, alluvial diamond deposits can effectively be evaluated according to international
classifications – they simply require an understanding of the geological and economic parameters that are
peculiar to these deposits. Rockwell has applied the following criteria for the classification of Inferred Mineral
Resource estimates:
-        A minimum drill grid on 100x100m.
-        A minimum of 500 carats from the property (for grade and value estimation).
-        An Inferred Resource may extend beyond the last drillholes to a distance of one-half of the nominal drill-
         grid spacing (i.e. 50m), given that there is reasonable grounds to assume geological continuity.
-        For grade to be considered as Inferred, a minimum of 0.5% to 1% of the Inferred volume of gravel has to
         be processed through a prospecting or production plant.

Rockwell’s standard operating procedure to estimate a Diamond Resource – volume, grade and average value
include:

Volume
The applicable resource volume was calculated (from the original borehole data) in Gemcom Surpac (v 6.0.1) –
Rockwell has not relied on any previous estimation of volume. All of the borehole data was imported into Surpac
which has numerous internal validation routines, ensuring data integrity. Bedrock elevation and gravel thickness
maps were created, primarily to identify first-pass targets and geological anomalies. The data was then used to
create DTM’s. Separate DTM’s were created for the bottom and top contacts of the relevant gravel units. All
boreholes that do not have gravel intersections were excluded from the model, as were boreholes with incomplete
logs. The envelope around the boreholes were extended to one-half of the drill interval (to a maximum of 500m
from a bulk-sample pit). Constraining strings (mined out areas, farm boundaries, for example) were created.
During this process all isolated outlier points were deleted from the data, in order not to introduce spurious errors.
A block model was then created, based on the external limits of the DTM. The block size is based on the geology
– 1x1x0.3m was used for the Rooikoppie unit. No statistical manipulation or Kriging is involved. All partial blocks
were excluded from the model, resulting in a fairly conservative result. The model was then, further constrained
by the two DTM’s and the constraining strings, producing a volume. The figures for the Mineral Resources
represent volumes available in the ground, fully depleted of material removed by the bulk-sampling programmes.

Specific Density
Specific Gravity (“SG”) measurements are not routinely completed on alluvial gravels. SG’s of gravels vary
considerably from unit to unit due to moisture, clay and heavy mineral contents and conversion to tonnages tend
to compound problems rather than simplify them. Regional averages for specific densities of alluvial gravels can
vary from as low as 1.6 to over 2.4 where the gravels contain large percentages of Banded Iron Formation (BIF).
Typically, fluvial-alluvial gravels average 1.8 and Rooikoppie deposits are somewhat higher, at 2.0 to 2.2. All
mining, processing and reconciliation on Rockwell’s MOR projects is done using gravel volumes and not
tonnages. However, for the purposes of individuals wishing to estimate tonnages, an average SG of 2.1 can be
assumed for these deposits, as well as for other similar gravels along the MOR (the marginally higher value being
due to the impact of the Rooikoppie gravels that are processed along with the fluvial-alluvial gravels).

Diamond Grade
The grade of a diamond deposit is the estimated number of carats contained in a unit of weight or volume of
gravel. Alluvial diamond grades are often measured in carats per unit of volume due to the problems associated
with accurately predicting the bulk density of gravels, which are highly variable over short distances due to the
relative pebble to sand content of the gravel and the pebble rock type.

In this news release, grades are reported in carats/100m3 (“cphm3”) and are based on grades recovered through
Rockwell's production facilities. It is vital to note that different processing plants and/or recovery methods may not
result in the same grades being recovered. In addition, it is noteworthy that, in this news release, Mineral
Resource grades are based on bulk-sample, trial-mining and run-of mine recoveries – there is no such thing as
“in-situ” grades, adjusted for processing parameters. Further, all recovered grades are based on a bottom cut-off
(“bcos”) of 5mm.

Cut-off Grades
Cut-off grades are not entirely pertinent to alluvial diamond mines since grade is not the only gauge of profitability.
A far more relevant measure is the cut-off sieve/screen size, as diamond size more closely approximates value.

Further, fixed cut-off grades are not considered on Rockwell alluvial properties because diamonds do not have a
fixed, single price, but their values vary significantly from one stone to another. Consequently, income/carat is
extremely variable. As a result, the mine works on an income/unit of volume, rather than a simple cut-off grade.
In addition, since Rockwell has a number of alluvial diamond mines in operation at any given time, individual
operations may operate at a loss for a number of months before being put on Care & Maintenance or returning to
profitability. Accordingly, company-wide income/volume has to exceed cost/volume.

Cut-off Screen Sizes
One of the most fundamental issues on an alluvial diamond mine relates to the size distribution of both gravel
clasts and diamonds. The details have important implications for top and bottom cut-off sizes on the screening
plants and final recovery systems. Too small screen-sizes at all locations will, ultimately, result in the loss of
larger diamonds, but too large screen-sizes will flood the plant with material. Although more stones may occur in
the smaller size fractions, these do not make up the bulk of the value. Also, although the very large stones may
be high value, they may make up so small a percentage of the population that the additional cost of processing
larger size fractions may tender their recovery uneconomical. Consequently, any mining operation has an
optimum range of stone size recovery where realised value exceeds input costs. The current bcos on the
Remhoogte/Holsloot Project is 5mm.

The question of the size of diamonds passing through screens of certain apertures is extremely complex (and
relates to both the shape of the diamond as well as the smallest crosscut of the diamond which is presented at
the screen. In addition, the behaviour of diamonds as they pass over a screen (in how many different ways they
fall on the screen) is a further complicating issue.

Diamond Value
Diamond values are quoted as US$/carat (at a specified bcos, which must be the same as for the grade
estimation). Valuation of the better quality diamonds, which normally constitute most of the inherent value of the
deposit, tends to be subjective and is best determined by sales values obtained on the open market in a free
trading economy. The diamond values presented in this news release have been based upon the sale (not
valuation) of +10,000 carats during FY2015.

Diamond Size Frequency Distribution
The primary source of the MOR diamonds is projected to be the kimberlites in the catchments of the Vaal and
Orange Rivers. This supposition is supported by size frequency distributions (“SFD’s”) of alluvial deposits located
on these rivers. The diamond population from the MOR, as typified by the +35,000 carats recovered from the
Brakfontein Hill Complex of Rockwell’s Saxendrift Mine, can easily be derived from a combination of the Orange
and Vaal river population. Large stones found along the MOR are likely to be derived from the Orange River and
the smaller stones from both catchments.

The implication of this data is that the general SFD’s of all of the MOR alluvial diamond deposits (downstream of
Douglas) would be expected to be broadly similar, since no primary (kimberlite) sources feed diamonds into the
MOR fluvial system downstream of the confluence of the Orange and Vaal rivers at Douglas.

This assumption has been borne out by diamond recoveries by Rockwell on various terraces mined/prospected
along the MOR. Minor differences in the SFD’s of the various operations are to be expected, however, mostly
due to variations in depositional environments.

As a consequence, the SFD of diamonds on the Remhoogte/Holsloot Project is not expected to be significantly
dissimilar from the other MOR properties. Minor variations will occur due to differences in local depositional
environments as well as the specific percentage of Orange River versus Vaal River influence.

Steyn did not record the weights of each individual stone (but simply as daily parcels). Therefore, it has not been
possible to confirm these details at this stage – this data will be acquired by Rockwell during the forthcoming bulk-
sampling programme and presented in a forthcoming technical report.

Occurrence of Large Stones
Based on the SFD characteristics of any alluvial diamond deposit, it is possible to estimate the minimum volume
of gravel that needs to be processed before diamonds of specific sizes should be recovered. An early study of
processed volumes and large stone occurrences in some MOR operations showed reasonable correspondence at
the Company’s Wouterspan and Saxendrift operations.

The general SFD of the MOR deposits was used to identify the expected stone count at different volumes
processed. For MOR deposits, the first +100 carat stone is only expected to be recovered after the processing of
some 1.5 million m3.

This Press Release was reviewed and approved and the data disclosed herein was verified by Rockwell’s Group
Technical Manager, G.A. Norton, B.Sc.Hons (Pr. Sci. Nat.), a Qualified Person who is not independent of the
Company and T.R. Marshall, PhD, (Pr. Sci. Nat.), a Qualified Person who is independent of the Company.

All dollar figures stated herein are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.

For further information on Rockwell and its operations in South Africa, please contact
James Campbell               CEO                                  +27 (0)83 457 3724
Stéphanie Leclercq           Investor Relations                   +27 (0)83 307 7587
David Tosi                   PSG Capital – JSE Sponsor            +27 (0)21 887 9602

About Rockwell Diamonds:
Rockwell is engaged in the business of operating and developing alluvial diamond deposits, with a goal to
become a mid-tier diamond production company. The Company’s flagship mine is the Saxendrift Mine, in the
MOR. It has recently built two new internally funded operations in the MOR region, namely Saxendrift Hill
Complex and Niewejaarskraal . Rockwell also has a development project and a pipeline of earlier stage properties
with future development potential. The operations are based on high throughput processing capability and
Saxendrift has among the lowest unit costs in the industry as a result of implementing fit for purpose technologies.
The Company is known for producing large, high quality gemstone comprising a major portion of its diamond
recoveries that is enhanced through a beneficiation joint venture that enables it to participate in the profits on the
sale of the polished diamonds.

Rockwell also evaluates consolidation opportunities which have the potential to expand its mineral resources and
production profile and to provide accretive value to the Company.

No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project",
"intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or
"will" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include uncertainties and
costs related to the transaction and the ability of each party to satisfy the conditions precedent in a timely manner or at all,
exploration and development activities, such as those related to determining whether mineral resources exist on a property;
uncertainties related to expected production rates, timing of production and cash and total costs of production and milling;
uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses, permits, electricity, surface rights and title for development
projects; operating and technical difficulties in connection with mining development activities; uncertainties related to the
accuracy of our mineral resource estimates and our estimates of future production and future cash and total costs of
production and diminishing quantities or grades if mineral resources; uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory
procedures or changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our mining operations;
changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets and the demand and market price for mineral commodities
such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity, and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange
rates, particularly with respect to the value of the US dollar, Canadian dollar and South African Rand; changes in accounting
policies and methods that we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting
assumptions and estimates; environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining and processing; geopolitical
uncertainty and political and economic instability in countries in which we operate; and labour strikes, work stoppages, or other
interruptions to, or difficulties in, the employment of labour in markets in which we operate our mines, or environmental
hazards, industrial accidents or other events or occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt operation of our
mines or development projects.

For further information on Rockwell, Investors should review Rockwell's home jurisdiction filings that are available at
www.sedar.com.

Date: 09/03/2015 02:30:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). 
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