(IDEX Online) - Karelian Diamond Resources plc, a mining company operating in Finland, has been granted permission to carry out exploration in Lahtojoki South. The area is close to the Lahtojoki Diamond Deposit where kimberlite boulders - believed to derive from an undiscovered kimberlite - have been discovered.
The exploration permit includes the area in which kimberlite boulders were discovered and extends over 400 meters up-ice from the boulder discovery site.
"I am very pleased that this exploration permit near to the Lahtojoki diamond deposit has become legally valid, enabling the company to proceed with its exploration plans for the area," said Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman, Karelian Diamond Resources plc.
"The possibility of a new diamondiferous kimberlite discovery close by further increases the overall attractiveness of the Lahtojoki Diamond Deposit."
Karelian hopes to develop the Lahtojoki diamond deposit as the first European mine to operate outside of Russia.