Press Release
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, February 27, 2024 – Star Diamond Corporation (TSX: DIAM) (“Star Diamond” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide this technical update on the opportunity for Carbon capture using processed kimberlite from the Star – Orion South Diamond Project. This process is known as Carbon mineralization and preliminary studies referenced below indicate that kimberlite waste rock from these kimberlites may indeed function as a significant sink of atmospheric CO2.
Highlights
The university laboratories were provided with fifteen samples, which include six core samples of Early Joli Fou kimberlite breccia (“EJF-KB”), Early Joli Fou pyroclastic kimberlite (“EJF-PK”) and country rock Shale. There are also samples of processed products including fine, processed kimberlite (“PK”) from the fines management area (“FMA”) and processed kimberlite lights from the dense media separator (“DMS FLOATS”). The six core samples were initially crushed and all 15 samples were pulverized in an agate mill. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the quantitative mineralogy of the samples. Thirteen samples were shown to contain significant proportions of the Serpentine Group mineral Lizardite, which is reactive with CO2. Under specific laboratory conditions the maximum CO2 mineralization potential, expressed as
kilograms of CO2 that reacts with the Lizardite, per tonne of material sampled, was determined for each of the Lizardite bearing samples and these results are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Samples details and results.
Sample # | Source1 | Type2 | Lizardite % | Lizardite |
CO2 Mineralization Potential | ||||
(kg CO2/tonne) | ||||
1 | FMA | PK | 77.7 | 370 |
2 | FMA | PK | 65.8 | 314 |
3 | FMA | PK | 63.6 | 303 |
4 | FMA | PK | 62.5 | 298 |
5 | FMA | PK | 74.8 | 356 |
6 | DMS Floats | PK | 70.3 | 335 |
7 | DMS Floats | PK | 76.8 | 366 |
8 | DMS Floats | PK | 75.3 | 359 |
9 | DMS Floats | PK | 57.5 | 274 |
10 | SPF-024 | Shale | – | 0 |
11 | SPF-024 | Shale | – | 0 |
12 | SPF-033 | EJF-KB | 83.5 | 398 |
13 | SPF-033 | EJF-KB | 78.9 | 376 |
14 | SPF-033 | EJF-PK | 73.1 | 348 |
15 | SPF-034 | EJF-PK | 76.4 | 364 |
These initial results illustrate that there is potential for the Lizardite in the processed kimberlite, from the Star and Orion South Kimberlites, to capture significant quantities of atmospheric CO2, which can have a positive effect on the lowering of the carbon footprint of a future mine. Additional analyses need to be conducted on larger samples with the aim of developing carbon capture methods that can be incorporated in a future diamond mine.
Senior VP Corporate Development Star Diamond, George Read, states: “These initial results illustrate that there are opportunities for future carbon sequestration from processed kimberlite ore. While these initial results have been developed on small samples under carefully controlled laboratory conditions, we hope that further work on larger samples will enable processes to be incorporated in the processing of kimberlite and the construction of waste dumps that can accelerate these carbon capture reactions, particularly with the vast quantities of Lizardite that will end up in the waste material. The proximity to infrastructure, particularly the electrical power grid, provides a future Fort à la Corne diamond mine with a unique opportunity to minimize its carbon footprint, as all mining, ore and waste movement and ore processing can be accomplished using electrically powered equipment.”
Interim President and CEO, Ewan Mason, states: “While these results are preliminary, they never-the-less indicate that we may be able to extract Carbon from the atmosphere by filtering out CO2 using waste rock as a storage sink. Should this turn out to be the case, we will be exploring the applicability of utilizing the Carbon Capture and Storage refundable tax credits announced by the federal government in its 2022 Federal Budget as part of our Feasibility Study planning. Given the projected mining rate of 45,000 tonnes
of ore per day from our 2018 PEA, we can see that the Fort à la Corne kimberlites could indeed become a colossal Carbon sink if we can scale a Carbon capture process to our contemplated operations. This then could play a significant role in helping Canada meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets.”
All technical information in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of George Read, Senior Vice President Corporate Development, a registered Professional Geoscientist in the Provinces of Saskatchewan and British Columbia and Mark Shimell, Vice President Exploration, a registered Professional Geoscientist in the Province of Saskatchewan and Alberta, who are the Corporation’s “Qualified Persons” under the definition of NI 43-101.
About Star Diamond Corporation
Star Diamond is a Canadian-based corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Shares of Star Diamond trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “DIAM”. Star Diamond’s most significant asset is its interest in the Fort à la Corne property in central Saskatchewan. These kimberlites are located in close proximity to established infrastructure, including paved highways and the electrical power grid, which provide significant advantages for future mine development.
For further information, please contact: Phone: (306) 664-2202
Email: stardiamondcorp@stardiamondcorp.com
Website www.stardiamondcorp.com
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