(TheNewswire)
Highlights
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Caustic fusion results from 1.65t ofHQ split core received.
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Microdiamond population continues tobe dominantly white and clear
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Variations in diamond counts reflectvariations in grade from various rock types and areas in thecomplex
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Photos of the larger diamonds areprovided on the company’s website
December 5th, 2022 – TheNewswire - Vancouver, British Columbia – Arctic StarExploration Corp. (“ Arctic Star ” or the“ Company ”) (TSXV:ADD) (Frankfurt:82A2) (WKN:A2DFY5) (OTC:ASDZF) ispleased to announce that it has received caustic fusion diamondresults from the Sequoia Kimberlite complex from the Diagras JVproject (81.5% ADD), in the Lac de Gras area of the NorthwestTerritories.
The results are given below in table 1 along with theprevious results for comparison.
Sequoia By Year | +0.106 mm | +0.150 mm | +0,212 mm | +0.3 mm | +0.425 mm | +0.6 mm | +0.85 mm | +1.18 mm | Weight | Stones/ 100kg |
2022 | 608 | 255 | 78 | 35 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1650.5Kg | 61 |
2021 | 282 | 117 | 39 | 23 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 505.3Kg | 95 |
Total | 890 | 372 | 117 | 58 | 27 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 2155.8Kg | 69 |
Notes for Table 1: The Sequoia caustic fusion results wereprocessed through SRC laboratories of Saskatoon. The core was handsplit and bagged in approximately 8kg samples to fit geologicalintervals where possible, the first half of the core was sent andprocessed, then the second half of the core was sent using the samesample intervals. Both samples were sent by chain of custody, SRC isan independent lab and is SO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited. Samples are placed in a kiln and heated to 508 0 with caustic soda for 24 hours. The residue is hot poured through a0.075mm sieve, then further chemically treated if required until justthe refractory minerals remain including diamonds. The residue issized by sieving and then the diamonds are selected by a mineralogist.Larger diamonds (>0.5mm) are described and weighed. Those above0.3mm are photographed.
The results are from the 6 holes completed into Sequoiain spring 2022, 5 of which encountered kimberlite. The holes are partof a delineation drilling program designed to define the size, shape,geology, and tonnage of the Sequoia Kimberlite complex. In thisprogram, three holes are drilled from one collar, with the collarsbeing spread approximately 200m apart, with scope to infill up to 100mcenters. At each collar a vertical hole is drilled to the assumedcenter of the kimberlite, this will continue to 250m depth or when itexits the kimberlite. The rig is then tilted and spun, to drill aninclined hole to the east and then a hole to the west. These holes aredesigned to capture the edge of the kimberlite. Further drillingplanned for 2023 is required to complete this first past delineation program. The geophysical signature of thecomplex is at least 800m long and the holes reported here are from thesouthern 200m.
Remarkable is the consistent descriptions of the stonesbeing overwhelmingly clear and white from the SRC lab and thiscontinues with the 2022 results. Photographs of the >0.3mm stones(28 pictures) can be viewed on our website www.arcticstar.ca . If thistrend continues into the larger commercial stones it bodes well for ahigher than average prices for the Sequoia diamonds. Average prices ofcommercial diamonds in the Lac De Gras field are highly variable (From 30/ct to 450/ct), from kimberlite to kimberlite. The coarsedistribution, predominance of white clear stones, the high populationof type 2 stones, and the concurring indicator mineral chemistry arelayers of evidence that this is achievable. A larger sample with>1000ct of commercial size diamonds will be required to confirmthis. This sample is planned for the 2024 Winter Road.
The geological observations from each hole report threemain rock types, a Coherent Kimberlite, a Volcaniclastic kimberlite,and a transitional kimberlite between these two types, a review of thediamond tenure of each rock type and their distribution is underwayand will be reported when completed.
Planning and budgeting are underway for the 2023program.
Figure 1: The green line is Sequoia2021 results and the red line is Sequoia’s total combined results.The red curve to the left is for guidance a 1ct/t grade curve with anaverage gradient. Note that it appears the lower gradient Sequoiacurves will converge on this line at large stone prices.
Qualified Person
The Qualified Person for this news release is BuddyDoyle, AUSIMM, a Geologist with over 35 years of experience in diamondexploration, discovery, and evaluation. A Qualified Person under theprovisions of the National Instrument 43-101.
About Arctic Star
Arctic Star is predominantly a diamond explorer,recently discovering 5 new kimberlites in the prolific Lac De Graskimberlite field that supports 2 multi-billion dollar kimberlitemining complexes. The company also has a 958Ha Exploration permitcontaining several diamond-bearing kimberlites on its Timanttiproject, Kuusamo Finland. Arctic Star has optioned its Stein diamondproject in Nunavut to GGL Resources Corp.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARCTIC STAREXPLORATION CORP.
Patrick Power, President & CEO
+1 (604) 218-8772
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange norits Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in thepolicies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for theadequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding“Forward-Looking” Information
This news release contains“forward-looking statements” including but not limited tostatements with respect to Arctic Star’s plans, the estimation of amineral resource, and the success of exploration activities. In thisrelease, it is not certain if the kimberlite discovered will beeconomic or not as this depends on many factors. Forward-lookingstatements, while based on management’s best estimates andassumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may causeactual results to be materially different from those expressed orimplied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurancethat such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results andfuture events could differ materially from those anticipated in suchstatements. Factors that could affect our plans include our potentialinability to raise funds as intended, and in such event, we mayrequire all funds raised, if any, to be used for working capitalrather than the intended uses as outlined. Accordingly, readers shouldnot place undue reliance on forward ? looking statements. Arctic Star undertakes no obligation orresponsibility to update forward ? looking statements,except as required by law.
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