Tourmaline Breccia Pipes I think anyone analyzing the company or results needs to understand the structures that they are targeting, those being tourmaline breccia pipes. Those old enough to remember the diamond rush days in Canada’s north probably remember the host rocks being the kimberlite pipes which are essentially “carrot like” in form. Breccia pipes are similar but like a cone (upside down carrot) so get wider at depth. A statement on the website says that at 50m depth, the pipes can be twice the dimensions of surface exposure, and many pipes extend 1-2 km in depth.
Because they are not planar (no strike) like many typical ore bodies, they need to be drilled differently. To outline the limits of the pipe, holes need to be oriented at various angles and azimuths through the pipe to locate the periphery as well test the diameter through it at various depths. So by orienting a number of holes through the pipe, you’re obtaining valuable grade information as well as finding the outer limits of the pipe.
It’s also important to note that there are various zones of mineral enrichment though the pipe. The richer zone tends to be between the core and outer limits.
Because they increase in width at depth, it would take crazy long holes drilled at an angle (say 60-75 degrees) to completely drill though the contact/border on either “side” of the pipe. As an example, to test it at a 200 m depth (at a shallow 60 degrees hole) would involve drilling a hole a minimum 500 m in length with the first 250m essentially barren host rock...pretty much wasted footage. By drilling at a steeper angle through the pipe, you can still test/locate one edge of the pipe at depth while gaining valuable information drilling through the pipe. Much less “wasted footage” in barren rock while gaining essential information. Again, remember, because the pipe is circular this needs to be done at various drill orientations around the pipe. Hopefully this makes sense.
It’s really when all the data is compiled from various levels encountered that a true picture of the pipe is formed, rather than looking at holes in isolation.
Having said that, there’s no doubt that the SFdLA pipe is shaping up to be a quite significant deposit.