DIAMOND EXPLORATION – Delineation drilling set for Renard cluster

QUEBEC - Vancouver-based ASHTON MINING OF CANADA and partner SOQUEM have pledged $12 million for definition drilling at its Renard kimberlitic bodies and exploration of other properties it owns in the province.

This winter's drilling program will focus on Renard 2 and 3, which are believed to have the highest diamond content. Work will also be carried out on the northern portion of Renard 4. The first 415 tonnes of the 635-tonne bulk sample collected in 2004 contained 282 carats of diamonds, including 12 stones weighing more than one carat. Six diamonds from the sample weighed more than 2 carats. The largest diamond recovered to date was a clear colourless octahedron weighing 4.3 carats.

Ashton and Soquem plan airborne and ground geophysical surveys, primarily on the Foxtrot property but also on the Monts Otish property and other regions of north-central Quebec.

The photo gallery at www.ashton.ca contains images of many of the stones collected from the Renard cluster.