In a significant development for the mining industry, Karelian Diamonds has uncovered promising signs of nickel, copper, and platinum group elements (PGEs) within its licensed areas in Northern Ireland. The revelation follows a detailed assessment carried out by independent geological consultant Dr. Larry Hulbert, which was spurred by Karelian’s earlier identification of indicator minerals during a stream sediment sampling program.
Dr. Hulbert’s evaluation highlights geological parallels to the Baraga basin in Michigan—a part of the Mid-Continental Rift system in North America, which is home to major deposits like Eagle and Eagle East. He advised Karelian to base its exploration strategy on the successful Eagle deposit model.
Furthermore, the assessment noted similarities to other globally renowned nickel, copper, and PGE deposits found in continental flood basalts, such as those in Norilsk, Russia, and the Emeishan Large Igneous Province in China. These parallels underscore the potential significance of Karelian’s findings.
In his report, Dr. Hulbert stated, “What would have been considered a low potential nickel/copper/PGE exploration area pre-1995 has changed due to recent discoveries and the subsequent development of new exploration models. Recognition of similar geological and metallogenic environments, regardless of geological age, like that between the Proterozoic Baraga Basin Eagle mining camp setting and the KDR property, is what will lead to new nickel/copper/PGE discoveries. What was once not obvious is now obvious!”
Based on Dr. Hulbert’s recommendations, Karelian Diamonds has pinpointed a series of promising targets within its licensed areas for further exploration. “Dr. Hulbert’s review is extremely encouraging. The geological similarities with areas associated with world-class discoveries of nickel, copper, and PGEs, such as the Eagle and Eagle East deposits, are striking,” commented Karelian’s chairperson, Professor Richard Conroy.
