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Location: West of Tshikapa, southwestern DRC
Project Areas: Mvula Milenge, Dier, Yusufu, Ikulu
Licence Type:Exploration, Prospecting Rights and PEPM
Development Status:Exploration, small mine exploitation permit
Operator: Pangea DiamondFields PLC
Licence Area: 127.00 km²
Licence Expiry Date: Various dates 2007 through 2009

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History | Geology | Location | Infrastructure | Exploration

Pangea DiamondFields has nineteen exploration and small mine permits in the Kasai Occidental Province of the DRC. Thirteen of these permits are located in the Tshikapa River and Longatshimo River Project Areas, two in the Luebo Project Area and four in the Kasai Project Area.

Most exploration to date has been conducted in the Tshikapa and Longatshimo River, with limited reconnaissance exploration conducted in the Luebo area.

The Tshikapa River Project comprises seven exploitation permits along the Tshikapa River. 

History
The Tshikapa Diamond Field is situated within the West Kasai Region of the DRC in the Kasai-Occidental Province, within the Congo-Angola diamond province. The Tshikapa Diamond Field lies directly downstream of the alluvial diamond fields of the Lucapa Graben in northeastern Angola.

Production from the diamond field was dominated by the Belgian company Societe Internationale Forestiere et Miniere du Congo (“Forminiere’) until independence in the early 1960’s. Since then, official records of production are sketchy and unreliable as artisanal miners took control of mining in the area. Historical production from the diamond field was primarily sourced from active rivers and alluvial terraces along the river banks and, to a lesser extent, from the Kwango Formation conglomerates.

Local Geology
The local geology of the Tshikapa area comprises flat Cretaceous sediments un conformably overlying the basement rocks. The Cretaceous sediments are comprised of the Loia and Bukungu Series. The Loia comprises a basal conglomerate dominated with basement clasts followed by arkoses and fine orange-brown sandstones and the Bukungu contains sandstones and local conglomerate. These formations are not diamondiferous. The Loia and Bukungu are overlain by the diamondiferous Kwango Formation. This formation is comprised of a deltaic basal conglomerate succeeded by sandstones. The Kwango Formation is covered by Kalahari Supergroup sands.

Location & Access
The project is located near the town of Tshikapa in southwestern DRC. Tshikapa has an airstrip, which is serviced by five small commercial airline companies and private carriers. In addition a bush airstrip providing access for relatively large freight aircraft on charter has been established in close proximity to the Tshikapa River project area. Transport by air for personnel and smaller items is the most effective, practical and reliable method of travel within the DRC. The roads in the country are in poor condition and many are impassable. River crossings are often problematic due to the poor state of repair of bridges and ferries.

In order to provide heavy equipment access to both the Tshikapa and Longatshimo River projects, PDF pioneered a 4700 km overland route from South Africa through Namibia and Angola into the Southern DRC. This included the replacement or repair of bridges as well as the construction of new sections of road where these were either in disrepair or in some places non-existent.

Infrastructure
PDF established a new permanent camp mid 2007 in the Mvula Milenge project area. The camp provides tented accommodation, ablution and mess facilities for 10 staff. Water is obtained from the nearby river and purified for potable purposes. Electricity is provided by a generator. Two 10tpd jigs are also situated on site for processing samples. Access to project areas within the concessions is traversed by motorbike and four wheel drive vehicles as roads are limited. Exploration is ongoing by digging mega pits by hand and using the jigs to process this material.

Recent Exploration
Exploration commenced in May 2005 on the Mvula Milenge and Dier licenses, on the Tshikapa River. The aim of the exploration programme was to identify terrace and target areas with sufficient gravels to be classified as inferred resources.

The exploration programme included surface mapping and pitting, sampling and processing as well as classification of gravels. This programme is ongoing with the aim of continuing to develop the resource base in the project.

Future Exploration
Exploration is aimed at delineating resources on all licenses is continuing throughout 2008 with a view to establishing a bulk sampling facility in 2009.