Bryson Burke Diamond Corporation: Diamond Exploration and Mining in Canada

6.0 GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION

6.1 Sampling Methodology and Approach

There are no known kimberlites or lamproites within the area of the Properties. Exploration to date has been guided essentially on the basis of geochemical sampling. To date, about 720 heavy-mineral samples have been collected in the greater Property area. Of that total number of samples, about 250 were collected by or on behalf of Bryson-Burke Resources Ltd. and, except for the 35 till samples collected by Monopros, the balance were collected either previously or subsequently by Mr. Burke. Sample locations are shown on Figures 12 through 15.

Till, glacio-fluvial and stream-sediment samples have been collected but given the irregular, patchy distribution of till and the fact that it is most commonly preserved on topographically high areas, stream sediment and glacio-fluvial material have proved to be both better-distributed and more prolific hosts of diamonds and indicator-minerals than till, and have been the preferred sample media.

Heavy-mineral samples were collected from stream-sediments by pan-concentration. Abundance of heavy minerals naturally varies throughout the Property area and the normal practice was to process sufficient material to produce a heavy-mineral concentrate weighing from 30 to 400 grams. The panconcentrate was saved in self-locking plastic sample bags.

Sampling of glacio-fluvial material was carried out by the excavation of pits. After removal of the surficial organic layer, excavated glacio-fluvial material was placed on a plastic tarpaulin until sufficient material had been excavated to fill a 25-liter plastic pail, on average about 40 kilograms in weight. Coarse clasts were commonly removed from the sample by passing the material through a coarse (five-millimeter) screen.

Till samples were collected in a manner similar to the glacio-fluvial samples.

6.2 Sample Preparation, Analysis and Security

Heavy-mineral concentrates collected from stream-sediments were in some cases further concentrated by use of a mechanical jig. Samples collected by Bryson-Burke Resources were processed through heavy-media separation, but those collected since 1996 (Burke samples) have been subjected only to mechanical separation.

Glacio-fluvial and till samples were passed through screens (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 millimeter) in order to obtain size-classified sample material. Heavy-mineral concentrates were then obtained from these sizeclassified samples by passing them through a mechanical jig.

Subsequent to separation, heavy-mineral concentrates were picked using a binocular microscope in order to identify and recover any indicator-minerals and diamonds present. Those heavy-mineral concentrates analyzed by Dr. Gouchtchine et al in St. Petersburg (pre-Bryson-Burke Resources) were also separated on the basis of magnetic susceptibility. (D. Burke, personal communication) The heavy-mineral concentrates derived from the Burke samples were picked using a binocular microscope in order to recover indicator-minerals and microdiamonds.

As noted in the property history above, indicator-minerals from a portion of the samples collected prior to the work of Bryson-Burke Resources and included in the current database, were confirmed by microprobe analysis (See Section 4.2 above). The microdiamonds that are included in the sample database (Appendix 2, Table 2), were identified by geoscientists in Russia.

None of the indicator-minerals obtained from the Burke samples has been confirmed by independent agencies. Mr. Burke has recovered additional microdiamonds from sample sites previously established to contain microdiamonds during exploration by Bryson-Burke Resources Ltd. (D. Burke, personal communication) As none of these microdiamonds has been confirmed by independent agencies, none is included in the sample database.

In addition to the glacio-fluvial and till samples Burke collected one large (about 100 kilograms) screened sample from the beach gravels at the southern end of Five Mile Bay on Bryson Lake where both microdiamonds and indicator-minerals had been found in earlier sampling. Five (5) macrodiamonds, ranging between about 0.75 and two millimeters in size, were recovered from this sample, four are clear and one is bluish. All contain numerous inclusions. This sample was collected in order to search specifically for macrodiamonds and was processed in the following way: Material was screened through a coarse mesh (about one millimeter), and all minus-one millimeter material was rejected. Sufficient plusone millimeter material was collected to fill five (5) 25-liter plastic containers. This material was spread on a plastic sheet and examined using an ultraviolet light as well as ordinary daylight. The five diamonds were identified and recovered by this means. (D. Burke, personal communication) To the author's knowledge, no specific quality control measures were employed during the course of any of the sampling programs. All sampling and sample-analysis campaigns followed procedures established by Dr. Victor Gouchtchine of the University of St. Petersburg, Russia.

The author has reviewed the sampling and processing procedures employed by Bryson-Burke personnel and subsequently by Mr. Burke and can state that the methodologies applied conform in principle to acceptable practice for kimberlite-indicator geochemical sampling surveys.

6.3 Data Verification

Prior to the formation of Bryson-Burke Resources, indicator-mineral and microdiamond identifications were conducted by Dr. Victor Gouchtchine and colleagues in St. Petersburg, Russia. Limited microprobe confirmation of indicator-mineral identifications was performed by the Department of Earth Sciences at Carleton University, Ottawa. Consorminex, based in Gatineau, Quebec tested by microprobe a suite of pyrope garnets collected in the Lamb Lake area. These data form the principal basis upon which the following interpretation (Section 8.1) is based. All indicator-minerals and microdiamonds identified by Dr. Gouchtchine and colleagues were retained in Russia and therefore none was available for examination by the author.

A portion (75 of 248) of the heavy-mineral samples collected by Bryson Burke Resources was examined for indicator-minerals by Geon Laboratories in Montreal.

None of the samples collected by Mr. Burke subsequent to the dissolution of Bryson-Burke Resources was processed by independent agencies and none of the identifications of indicator-minerals nor microdiamonds was confirmed by independent agencies. However, and for those reasons, none of the microdiamonds identified by Mr.Burke is included in the database that forms the basis of this report.

It can be reasoned that Mr. Burke did not enlist the participation of independent agencies for two principal reasons: he was conducting exploration as a private individual and was therefore not constrained by standards applicable to public companies, and he was confident in his own abilities and adequately equipped to collect representative samples and to identify the relevant indicator-minerals those samples might have contained.

The author has examined, and can confirm the existence in the possession of Mr. Burke in Ottawa, of portions (splits) of all samples collected prior to the formation of Bryson-Burke Resources, including those samples used for the identification of indicator-minerals and microdiamonds by Dr. Gouchtchine and colleagues. Mr. Burke also possesses splits from all samples collected by him subsequent to the dissolution of Bryson-Burke Resources. No sample material or heavy-mineral concentrates from the 248-sample program conducted by Bryson-Burke Resources were preserved following the bankruptcy of that company.

The five (5) macrodiamonds recovered by Mr. Burke were examined by the author but independent, expert confirmation of their identification as diamonds, or measurement of their weight in carats, has not been made.

6.4 Results

A database has been compiled by Mr. Burke of all the sample results for which reliable information exists. A copy of this database is included at the end of the report as Appendix 2.

Of the total of 719 samples, the collection sites for 646 have been accurately located by UTM coordinates. These samples are plotted on Figures 12 through 15 included with this report. These figures also show the distribution of indicator-minerals and microdiamonds that were recovered and identified.

Seventy-five (75) samples (about 12 percent) contained one or more of the indicator-minerals or microdiamonds. These samples are tabulated in Table 2. It can be seen from this table that with the exception of microdiamonds, most indicator-minerals have been documented only in a qualitative way, i.e., simply as being present. The lack of quantification places constraints upon the amount of interpretation that can be derived from the indicator-mineral distributions. Regardless, the microdiamonds and indicator-minerals have an obvious and limited distribution.

Sixty (60) percent of samples that contain indicator-minerals or microdiamonds contain more than one type of indicator. Figures 12 through 15 show the indicator-mineral distributions discussed below. Microdiamonds were found in 14 samples. The number of diamonds identified is quantified for 12 of the 14 samples. All microdiamonds identified (149), are fragments of larger crystals. None of the microdiamonds identified by the Russian geoscientists on behalf of Bryson-Burke Resources was whole, nor were any of the microdiamonds found subsequently by Mr. Burke. (D.Burke, personal communication). The microdiamond-bearing samples occur in four discrete clusters: 1) on the Coulonge River at the mouth of the post-glacial drainage from Bryson Lake (A1068, 1069); 2) at the south end of Five Mile Bay on Bryson Lake (A1121, 1126, 1131, 1133); 3) northwest of Five Mile Bay on the peninsula that separates Five Mile Bay from the bay to the west (A1167, 1175, 1181), and 4) on the north shore of Duval Lake (A1053, 1075, 1078, 1080). A single sample (A1164) containing a single microdiamond was found on the shore of Antoine Lake southwest of Bryson Lake. Of those samples for which actual microdiamond counts are given, the two samples on the Coulonge River, A1068 and A1969, contained by far the greatest number of microdiamonds (78 of the total of 149 documented). The five macrodiamonds mentioned above were recovered from the area at the south end of Five Mile Bay on Bryson Lake.

TABLE 2: INDICATOR MINERALS

Sampl

e #

North

(UTM)

East

(UTM)

NTS

Sample

Medium

Diamond

Pyrope G9

Pyrope

G10

Total

Pyrope

Chrome

Diopside

Ilmenite

Chromite

Spinel

Olivine

Glass Balls

Magnetic

Balls

A1014 5127203 351602 31K07 Glaciofluvial Y

A1016 5128022 343575 31K06 beach con. Y Y Y

A1021 5131123 358370 31K07 beach con. Y Y

A1035 5133408 364001 31K07 Stream Y

A1044 5133987 352673 31K07 Y Y

A1047 5134862 348603 31K07 Stream Y 4 Y Y Y

A1053 5135050 352034 31K07 Stream 9 1 Y

A1061 5135151 356311 31K07 coarse sands Y

A1068 5135212 356261 31K07 Stream 56 11 1 Y Y Y

A1069 5135212 356261 31K07 Till 22 Y

A1075 5135327 352464 31K07 Stream 13

A1078 5135480 352077 31K07 Stream Y Y Y Y

A1080 5135582 352393 31K07 Stream 7

A1084 5135611 352266 31K07 Y

A1097 5139129 352205 31K07 Fluvial Y

A1101 5137440 347182 31K07 Stream Y Y

A1104 5137609 331525 31K06 Reworked Y

A1121 5138465 352386 31K07 Stream 9 Y Y

A1123 5138508 346704 31K07 Stream Y Y Y

A1126 5138536 352948 31K07 stream 1 Y Y Y

A1129 5138569 352295 31K07 stream Y Y

A1131 5138611 352279 31K07 stream 11 Y Y Y

A1133 5138699 352145 31K07 stream Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

A1135 5138719 353443 31K07 Y Y

A1140 5139004 354620 31K07 till Y

A1154 5139139 350009 31K07 stream Y Y

A1159 5139241 351393 31K07 stream Y Y Y

A1164 5139363 347002 31K07 stream 1

A1167 5139432 349794 31K07 stream 1 Y Y Y

A1169 5139502 350720 31K07 fluvial Y

A1171 5139535 350764 31K07 stream Y Y

A1173 5139777 347715 31K07 basal / fluvial Y Y

A1175 5139807 349650 31K07 stream 12 14 Y Y Y

A1179 5140143 352575 31K07 Y Y

A1181 5140386 348407 31K07 stream 7 2 3 Y Y Y Y

A1182 5140407 348602 31K07 ablation till Y Y

A1188 5140703 349304 31K07 ablation till Y Y

A1192 5141255 347806 31K07 Y Y Y Y

A1194 5141416 347071 31K07 Y

A1203 5142160 344876 31K06 5 Y Y

A1222 5144308 352408 31K07 till Y Y

A1240 5145912 330107 31K06 glaciofluvial Y Y

A1243 5146041 342266 31K06 Y Y 1

A1244 5146053 342724 Y Y Y Y

A1253 5146713 329902 31K06 basal till Y Y Y

A1264 5147616 332109 31K06 basal till Y

A1268 5147794 341859 31K06 3 Y Y Y Y

A1270 5147860 342947 31K06 Y Y

A1271 5147996 331018 31K06 basal till Y Y Y

A1280 5148701 330615 31K06 basal till Y Y

A1292 5149320 331617 31K06 stream Y

A1297 5149357 331508 31K06 recent stream Y

A1302 5149439 328609 31K06 Y

A1386 5156691 319199 31K11 Y

A1421 5159902 334614 31K11 glaciofluvial Y Y Y

A1427 5160606 333607 31K11 glaciofluvial Y

A1436 5161604 332022 31K11 glaciofluvial Y Y

A1446 5161801 323710 31K11 glaciofluvial Y Y

A1447 5161905 368112 31K10 ablation till Y Y

A1543 5173049 333704 31K11 Glaciofluvial Y

A1559 5174840 334302 31K11 Fluvial Y Y

A1599 5146553 330532 31K06 Y Y Y

A1676 5142326 365495 31K07 Glaciofluvial 1 1

A1680 5136389 369560 31K07 Glaciofluvial 9

A1683 5129996 371357 31K07 Glaciofluvial 1

A1684 5126071 369178 31K07 Glaciofluvial 2

A1686 5131778 367282 31K07 Glaciofluvial 1

A1691 5139627 345668 31K06 Till 3

A1694 5139846 347674 31K07 Till 1

A1696 5140321 349364 31K07 Till 1

A2000 5138457 353786 31K07 Till 3

A2002 5136151 355866 31K07 Glaciofluvial 1

A2004 5132412 358907 31K07 Glaciofluvial 2

A2007 5133525 362612 31K07 Till 2

A2016 5149486 331461 31K06 Stream Y Y

TOTAL 14 6 1 38 35 14 19 12 13 14

Pyrope garnets were found in 38 samples. Most of these identifications are visual, as analytical confirmation of G9 or G10 composition exists for garnets from only 13 of these samples. These analyses are presented in Table 3. The plot of Cr2O3 versus CaO for those pyropes is presented in Figure 16 which shows that the majority falls within the G10 field.

Those samples containing pyrope garnet are distributed along a pronounced northwest-trend with the greatest abundance in the area between the mouth of the paleo-drainage from Bryson Lake into the Coulonge River, and the south shore of Bryson Lake. The second-greatest concentration is on the southeast shore area of Lamb Lake, to the northwest of Bryson Lake. Three pyrope-bearing samples (A1421, 1426, 1436) collected southwest of Lac Argent may constitute a discrete cluster. One sample from the north end of Lynch Lake, and one from the south end of Antoine Lake also contained pyrope garnets, as did several isolated samples to the north and northwest of Lamb Lake.

Chrome diopside grains were found in 35 samples. The distribution of these samples is similar to those containing pyrope garnets in that the greatest concentration is immediately south of Bryson Lake, with a second concentration southeast of Lamb Lake. Chrome diopside was also found in three isolated samples north of Lamb Lake, including one south of Lac Argent (A1421). Other single-point samples that contained diopside were found to the south on the Coulonge River, on the East Coulonge River, and on the shore of Wright Lake between the Coulonge and East Coulonge Rivers.

Ilmenite grains were found in 14 samples. The greatest abundances occur south of Bryson Lake and southeast of Lamb Lake. Isolated occurrences of ilmenite were also found east of the Coulonge River and on the Black River about 12 kilometers southwest of Bryson Lake.

Chrome spinel was found in 19 samples. The majority occurs in the area south of Bryson Lake, several were found on the north shore of Duval Lake and adjacent Antoine Lake to the west. Two samples containing chrome spinel were found southeast of Lamb Lake, and two were found south of Lac Argent.

Two isolated spinel-bearing samples were collected to the north and northeast of the main area of interest.

Olivine was found in 12 samples. With the exception of one sample south of Lamb Lake and one to the east on the north shore of Gerland Lake, all olivine-bearing samples were taken from the area immediately to the south of Bryson Lake.

Glass balls (coesite) and magnetic balls were found in 13 and 14 samples respectively, with identical distributions except for the single additional magnetic ball-bearing sample. The imputed significance of these unusual indicators is the fact that they are found in the Argyle lamproite in Australia. All samples containing glass and magnetic balls were collected south of Bryson Lake. The single sample (A1268) containing only magnetic balls was collected from the north shore of Gerland Lake. Those grains identified as coesite are spherical and comprised of multi-faceted surfaces. The initial identification of these grains was made by Dr. Gouchtchine but the specific means by which the identification was made is not known. (D. Burke, personal communication)

TABLE 3: PYROPE GARNETS

Sample # MnO Al2O3 FeO Fe2O3 SiO2 TiO2 CaO Cr203 MgO Total Analysis Zone

A1047 0.41 19.31 5.08 2.63 40 0.21 4.28 5.42 21.89 99.23 3

A1047 0.45 20.8 6.27 1.73 40.83 0.1 4.79 3.84 20.24 99.05 5

A1047 0.51 20.63 7.08 1 41.59 0.26 4.87 4.13 20.29 100.36 5

A1047 0.48 20.37 5.85 2.2 40.2 0.28 4.95 3.92 20 98.25 5

A1053 0.57 21.04 6.15 0.87 41.24 0.52 4.95 4.03 20.59 99.96 3 center

A1053 0.48 20.78 5.79 1.17 41.37 0.55 5.16 3.87 20.82 99.99 3 rim

A1068 0.41 21.04 7.59 42.23 0 3.97 3.67 21.82 100.73 1

A1068 0.51 20.34 8.08 41.96 0.19 4.99 4.14 20.33 100.54 1

A1068 0.39 19.03 8.08 41.69 0 5.94 5.98 19.34 100.45 1

A1068 0.37 19.19 7.99 41.74 0.11 4.9 6.06 20.45 100.81 1

A1068 0.48 19.37 8.63 41.28 0.18 5 5.53 19.88 100.35 1

A1068 0.38 19.81 7.43 41.84 0.27 4.51 5.11 21.41 100.76 1

A1068 0.46 19.35 7.64 41.09 0.29 4.92 6.26 20.14 100.15 2

A1068 0.33 23.21 9.56 41.97 0 4.64 1.52 19.31 100.54 2

A1068 0.44 19.32 5.02 2.86 40.55 0.28 4.29 6.12 23.49 102.37 3

A1068 0.41 19.53 4.86 2.75 40.77 0.27 4.89 6.21 20.43 100.12 3

A1068 0.35 19.47 4.95 2.54 40.15 0.26 4.14 6.38 21.72 99.96 3

A1068 0.31 19.28 4.82 2.71 40.02 0.22 4.3 6.1 23.05 100.81 3

A1068 0.34 21.94 8.18 41.68 0.06 4.99 1.66 20.19 99.04 4

A1068 0.26 20.47 7.64 42.33 0.35 4.55 2.41 21.01 99.02 4

A1068 0.37 19.04 7.57 41.81 0.71 5.49 3.97 20.26 99.22 4

A1068 0.42 20.49 5.8 2.26 40.41 0.22 4.98 3.86 20.14 98.58 5

A1068 0.45 21.26 5.24 2.42 41.29 0.01 3.66 3.48 21.89 99.7 5

A1068 0.44 20.98 6.03 1.67 41.48 0 4.3 3.66 21.09 99.65 5

A1068 0.44 18.63 5.26 3.34 40.29 0.02 6.16 5.98 19.39 99.51 5

A1068 0.4 18.96 5.77 2.51 40.03 0.02 6.1 5.78 19.02 98.59 5

A1068 0.36 19.1 6.58 1.06 40.92 0.11 4.79 5.36 20.16 98.44 5

A1068 0.51 18.98 5.52 2.58 40.43 0.08 4.71 5.61 20.37 98.79 5

A1068 0.44 19.32 5.82 2.74 40.05 0.19 5.27 5.42 19.64 98.89 5

A1068 0.54 19.11 5.66 3.29 40.15 0.22 5.1 5.41 19.88 99.36 5

A1068 0.41 19.18 6 2.45 40.41 0.23 5.15 5.63 19.9 99.36 5

A1068 0.49 19.17 6.22 2.51 40.02 0.26 5.25 5.39 19.41 98.72 5

A1068 0.47 19.28 4.27 3.22 39.95 0.27 4.48 4.86 21.07 97.87 5

A1069 0.49 18.77 6.7 1.58 40.74 0.03 6.16 5.89 18.88 99.24 5

A1069 0.46 18.16 6.01 2.31 40.03 0.04 6.45 6.53 18.62 98.61 5

A1069 0.44 18.74 6.97 1.12 40.76 0.04 6.41 6.35 18.61 99.44 5

A1121 0.42 19.87 5.39 2.78 40.73 0.25 4.41 6.05 19.45 99.35 3

A1121 0.39 21.55 5.31 2.15 41.35 0.02 3.54 3.51 22 99.82 5

A1121 0.49 20.89 5.19 2.56 40.77 0 4.49 3.66 20.93 98.98 5

A1121 0.39 20.85 5.44 2.44 40.81 0.01 3.88 3.42 21.34 98.58 5

A1126 0.55 18.85 5.92 2.04 41.2 0.1 5 5.93 20.48 100.07 5

A1126 0.42 18.86 4.45 3.43 39.85 0.15 4.94 5.82 20.5 98.42 5

A1126 0.45 18.92 4.64 3.32 39.74 0.12 4.88 5.79 20.36 98.22 5

A1131 0.36 19.63 5.61 3.05 39.99 0.19 4.39 6.01 19.91 99.14 3

A1131 0.36 19.83 5.21 2.45 40.77 0.26 4.53 4.79 21.07 99.27 5

A1131 0.42 19.52 3.93 3.95 39.99 0.26 4.62 4.91 21.18 98.78 5

A1131 0.41 19.78 4.83 2.92 40.79 0.28 4.56 4.71 21.28 99.56 5

A1159 0.45 19.7 5.07 2.54 40.24 0.29 4.76 6.08 20.69 99.82 3

A1167 0.15 22.74 7.34 0 42.25 0 4.21 2.81 20.59 100.09 3 center

A1167 0.34 22.74 7.67 0 42.37 0 4.29 2.56 20.13 100.1 3 rim

A1175 0.49 22.84 10.88 2.3 40.36 0.42 4.67 0.51 17.48 99.95 3 rim

A1175 0.43 22.88 10.5 2.7 39.87 0.63 5.04 0.6 17.34 99.99 3 center

A1175 0.13 20.12 6.23 0.71 41.62 0 2.6 6.08 22.5 99.99 3 center

A1175 0.12 20.33 5.41 1.96 40.94 0 2.81 6.06 22.37 100 3 rim

A1175 0.05 23.05 7.03 1.19 41.77 0 4.95 1.45 20.51 100 3 center

A1175 0.4 20.25 5.38 2.89 40.36 0.16 4.97 4.06 20.33 98.8 5

A1175 0.39 19.09 5.93 2.63 40.16 0.2 5.28 5.34 19.7 98.72 5

A1175 0.43 19.48 4.62 2.93 40.48 0.28 4.5 4.99 21.25 98.96 5

A1181 0.39 19.45 5.13 2.86 40.19 0.28 5 6.17 20.29 99.76 3

A1181 0.51 19.67 4.87 3.11 39.98 0.22 5.21 5.98 20.48 100.03 3

A1181 0.27 21.84 5.86 2.09 41.33 0.4 4.35 2.48 21.37 99.99 3 center

A1181 0.06 21.21 4.45 4.05 40.75 0.48 4.59 2.63 21.75 99.97 3 rim

A1181 0.04 23.61 7.3 0.63 41.62 0 4.69 1.64 20.46 99.99 3 rim

A1302 0.41 19.5 7.68 N/A 40.8 0.15 4.42 5.68 N/A 99.85 6

A2016 5.52 20 7.21 42.09 0.04 5.52 5.52 20.05 105.95 2

A2016 0.36 20.35 7.25 42.1 0.18 5.01 5.15 20.42 100.82 2

A2016 0.29 21.73 7.54 42.03 0.31 4.19 2.61 21.01 99.71 2

A2016 0.27 21.89 7.49 42.27 0.3 4.24 2.5 21.17 100.13 2

A2016 0.3 22.65 9.51 41.97 0.05 4.12 1.49 20.07 100.16 2

A2016 0.35 22.78 9.7 42.28 0 4.2 1.5 19.63 100.44 2

Sources: 1) GSC, Aranovitch; 2) Carleton University, Jones; 3) University of St.Petersburg, Goutchtchine;

4) Monopros, Smit; 5) University of St.Pertersberg; 6) University of St.Petersberg, Knauf