Hi-lites of the article...Some very interesting statements that we may not have seen before ie "selling the rubies might fund the entire operation"
"Ryder theorized that the original host rock was kimberlite, but it weathered away. The diamonds left behind may have been concentrated on a beach by an earthquake or other major event. And when the beach sand metamorphosed into conglomerate, the gems were embedded. The inventory of precious stones includes Type 2 diamonds, rubies and sapphires. The usual indicator minerals are also present.
Dianor is considering a diamond mine considerably different than other Canadian producers. Ryder sees a potentially huge open pit, built around a moderate grade, large tonnage operation. Other diamonds mines are low-tonnage, high-grade undertakings. Resources at Leadbetter may be 550 million tonnes.
Using a 0.5-mm screen to recover smaller diamonds will increase the resource; stones as small as 0.3 mm can be cut and polished in India. And according to back of the envelope estimates, costs will be extremely low.
Selling the rubies might fund the entire operation.
Barring any undue delays, a dense media separation (DMS) plant may be on site in Q1 2011 and be ready to go later in the spring. It will be commissioned with sand and gravel from a 3-km long, 13-m thick deposit on the property. Yes, gems have also been recovered from this material.
Although the planned mine will be an open pit, a decline is being driven to ensure a representative bulk sample of the material is taken."