image of diamond

Sampling & Analysis

Field exploration is conducted in a phased approach and carried out by teams comprising one geologist, one driver/sampler and a varying number of labourers, depending on the activity being undertaken.  There are currently nine geologists in the field, seven of whom were recruited within the last year. Technical, computer, and health and safety training are provided during the wet seasons.  Although sampling is a small part of the exploration process, samples are required to establish if new areas have the potential to host kimberlites: to try to discern which magnetic anomalies are sourced by kimberlites and to recover Kimberlite Indicator Minerals from kimberlite.

stream-auger-sampling

In the field, samples are concentrated using "Zambian" jigs - fifteen employees are required to ensure this process is both efficient and contamination-free.

wembere-wanderers

Field support staff, including those in Tabora, comprises cooks, drivers, payroll and accounts personnel; the security of all permanent and temporary habitation is undertaken by company guards.

jigging-station

microscope

Sampling, whether of sediments or of kimberlites themselves, produces Kimberlite Indicator Minerals (KIMs, or pathfinder minerals) - minerals which are found in kimberlites and whose presence in surface sediment indicates that kimberlites exist in the vicinity.  Dense Media Separation (DMS) techniques are used to recover KIMs where they constitute less than 0.5% of the initial sample volume. Leland has constructed its own heavy minerals laboratory, including a facility to physically pick KIM grains from the DMS concentrates. Liquids used for the concentration process are state-of-the-art, non-toxic, re-useable polytungstate fluids which are environmentally sound.

The DMS laboratory is located in Mwanza and together with our mineral sorters, is staffed by seven individuals.  All field and laboratory data is channelled to the GIS section where it is checked for veracity before input. This data is integral to the Licence Management System where reports, licence renewals and relinquishments are generated for submission to government.The main Accounts section is also housed in Mwanza, as is a certain amount of local logistical support. The time advantage which accrues to the company by having developed this laboratory is a saving of three to six months when compared to the turn around time for results from a commercial lab.