09:43 AM EDT, 04/15/2019 (MT Newswires) -- Star Diamond (DIAM.TO) on Monday said Rio Tinto (RIO) its option partner in the Star-Orion South diamond project in Saskatchewan completed a drilling program at two kimberlites on the property.

The company said Rio TInto drilled three exploration holes into the Star kimberlite and 22 sonic overburden holes at the Orion South kimberlite ahead of a planned bulk sampling program.

"This core and geotechnical drilling program is an important precursor to (Rio's) bulk sampling with the trench cutter sampling rig scheduled to commence once the warmer weather arrives," George Read, Star's senior vice-president of exploration, said in a release. "The selected locations of these core holes on the Star and Orion South Kimberlites will act as pilot holes for the upcoming program."

Star Diamond shares were last seen unchanged at $0.255 on the Toronto Stock Exchange,

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