Yellowknife (May 03/06) - Parts of an important drilling program on the property that could one day become the NWT's fourth diamond mine didn't happen this winter.

It's still unknown if the snags will delay development of the Gahcho Kue Diamond Project - a joint-venture between De Beers, 51 per cent; Mountain Province Diamonds, 44.1 per cent; and Camphor Ventures, 4.9 per cent.

De Beers, which is taking the lead on the property some 300 km from Yellowknife, had planned to drill six large diameter holes in two of the four key kimberlite pipes at Gahcho Kue.

Because the drill contractor was unable to case the holes, the work couldn't be completed according to Patrick Evans, president and chief operating officer of Mountain Province Diamonds.

"It is a disappointment," he said.

"The major reason for the problems were operational difficulties."

Originally, the program also called for 42 core samples to be taken, but only 20 holes could be drilled. The project partners will now need to wait until next year to complete the work, he said.

"Its too early to tell how much revenue will be lost."

The early closure of the Tibbitt-Contwoyto ice road isn't to blame in this case, added Evans. Most of the drill equipment had been transported to Gahcho Kue before the road closed and anything missing was flown in soon after.

Calls to De Beers Canada's offices in Yellowknife and Toronto were not returned prior to presstime.