Arctic Star Exploration Corp (“Arctic” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that a diamond drill rig will arrive at site on its 100% owned Timantti Diamond Project in Finland (the “Project”) on February 12, 2018 and will commence drilling shortly after. The drill will test newly identified kimberlite targets.
Since early December geophysical crews have been active in the field conducting magnetic, electromagnetic (MaxMin) and gravity surveys over much of the 243 Ha Exploration Reservation area. In mid-January the Company deployed an excavator to collect till samples to further support geophysics results. The basil till covering potential kimberlites on the Project is only one or two metres thick.
The purpose of conducting ground magnetic, electromagnetic and gravity surveys is to search for new kimberlitic targets and to discriminate these from non-kimberlite geophysical responses. A total of 41-line kilometres of electromagnetic (MaxMin) is planned, of which approximately 50% has been completed. Approximately 35 kilometres of gravity survey is also planned, of which 55% has been completed. There are also 61-line kilometres of ground magnetics planned of which 35% is now complete.
The Wolf kimberlites are moderate magnetic highs in a fairly magnetically noisy background with iron formations and mafic volcanics producing similar or more intense responses. At this stage, there are over twenty magnetic anomalies that may represent kimberlite targets in the general Wolf area, the gravity and MaxMin survey will help further prioritize these targets prior to drilling. The Wolf kimberlites for example also have an electromagnetic response.
The excavator is sampling the basal till, “down-ice” of the more promising geophysical anomalies. Four targets have been tested to date, and the samples have been sent to laboratory to extract indicator minerals. The drill will be directed to any of these that report diamond indicator minerals.
The drill will also be utilized to further delineate the Wolf kimberlites and return a larger caustic fusion micro-diamond sample to further determine the size and grade for a decision to bulk sample these diamondiferous kimberlites.
Buddy Doyle VP of Exploration commented, “By rapidly deploying these different exploration tools to our exploration permit, we expect to obtain multiple layers of evidence of new kimberlites that can be drill tested. We know there are more kimberlites in this area by the expression of diamond favorable indicator minerals in the region, which the Wolf kimberlites cannot explain. The company also will produce a steady stream of caustic diamond fusion results from drilling the Wolf kimberlites, which, so far have produced encouraging micro-diamond counts. The next six weeks will be an exciting time for the company”
The Qualified Person for this news release is Roy Spencer, Fellow AUSIMM, a Geologist of over thirty years’ experience in diamonds.
About Arctic Star
The Company owns 100% of the recently acquired Timantti Diamond Project including a 243 Ha Exploration Permit and a 95,700 Ha Exploration Reservation near the township of Kuusamo, in Finland. The project is located approximately 450km SW of the operating Grib Diamond Mine in Russia. Arctic is commencing its exploration in Finland on the Timantti Project, where two diamondiferous kimberlites may represent the first finds in a large kimberlite field. The Company also controls diamond exploration properties in Nunavut (Stein), the NWT (Diagras and Redemption) and a rare metals project in BC (Cap).
Arctic Star has a highly experienced diamond exploration team previously responsible for several world class diamond discoveries.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARCTIC STAR EXPLORATION CORP.
Scott Eldridge, President & CEO
+1 (604) 722-5381
scott@arcticstar.ca
Patrick Power, Executive Chairman
+1 (604) 218-8772
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this press release include that the Timantti Project transaction is a pre-eminent opportunity.
