The overall diamond market size was valued at US$99.08 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $139.91 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.4 per cent during the forecast period.
As the market continues its growth trajectory, companies such as Star Diamond (TSX:DIAM) have the potential to make a significant impact in the market thanks to its Fort à la Corne Project in Saskatchewan, which has a valuation of $2 billion according to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
Notably, the project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped diamond projects and has even had previous evaluation work validated by Rio Tinto (OTC:RTNTF).
Case in point, in late May the company revealed a review of the work completed by Rio Tinto Exploration Canada on the project.
Evaluation at Fort à la Corne Project
In a news release, the company stated that between June 2017 and June 2022, Rio Tinto pursued extensive exploration and evaluation analysis on two fronts at the project, including:
- The completion and calibration of a trench cutter bulk sampling and macro diamond recovery program on Star Kimberlite
- The completion of the Orbit exploration program with the aim of prioritizing the diamond prospectivity of all other kimberlites within the Fort à la Corne Project.
Rio Tinto also conducted detailed mining studies for the future development of diamond mines on the Star, Orion South and Orion North Kimberlites.
In an interview with The Market Online, George Read, senior vice president of corporate development at Star Diamond, explained that Rio Tinto set out on an “ambitious program” having initially aimed to complete the trench cutter bulk sampling on Star Kimberlite.
“That study had a successful conclusion and showed Orion North was a very significant prospective body with very interesting diamonds,” Read said. “Most importantly, there are over 500 million tons of diamond-bearing kimberlite.”
Thanks to Rio Tinto’s studies, it is suggested that:
- The continuous and sequential mining of diamonds from Orion South, Star and Orion North over a period of 70 years;
- The ability to maintain stable pit slopes in the Fort à la Corne Kimberlites through the use of wall buttressing and dewatering;
- Analysis by Rio Tinto estimates a 222,000 tonne sample is likely to yield 101 specials (+10.8 carats) and one exceptional diamond (+100 carats);
- Rio Tinto also confirmed the TC EJF diamond parcel contained a significant proportion of Type IIa diamonds (29 per cent Type IIa diamonds +9 DTC)
Type IIa diamonds contain no nitrogen or boron impurities and are typically top white or light brown, but they can also be pink. Of note, Type IIa diamonds are rare and account for less than 1.3 per cent of annual world production.
The Fort à la Corne Project at a glance
Star Diamond currently holds a 100 per cent interest in the Fort à la Corne Project of Central Saskatchewan, including the Star-Orion South Diamond Project.
Star Diamond’s portion of the project includes claims covering Fort á la Corne kimberlites within the project Star-Orion, a massive kimberlite formation with high proportion of Type IIa diamonds. Star-Orion South is well-advanced with significant participation by major mining companies.
Located in Central Saskatchewan, the project is close to infrastructure and is 20 km off paved highway and the Saskatchewan power grid. The PEA suggests the potential for a large, long-life mine from which more than 66 million carats can be recovered over a 38-year mine life.
Notably, the Fort à la Corne Project is host to large, contiguous diamond-bearing kimberlites and has more than 60 additional kimberlites representing exploration upside potential.
The investment corner
Star Diamond is in the final stages of evaluation of one of the world’s largest undeveloped diamond projects and the company presents itself as a sound investment opportunity in the near- to long-term.
Additionally, the property project boasts an extensive mine life which means the company will have plenty to look forward to in the coming years, including an updated prefeasibility study in 2025 and a feasibility study in 2026.
With future catalysts to look forward to, investors won’t want to miss out on Star Diamond’s potential.
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