African Diamond now looks very promissing!
African Diamonds PLC
14 July 2004
AFRICAN DIAMONDS plc.
Exploration Update
African Diamonds plc (AIM: AFD) the diamond exploration company, wishes to
report significant progress on a number of fronts in its joint venture with De
Beers to explore for and, if successful, develop new diamond mines in Botswana.
A detailed airborne survey of the 1300 sq kilometre Orapa licences has
been completed. Analysis of the results has revealed new, very significant,
targets which will be subject to further detailed investigation in the near
future.
An area of the under-explored 1000 sq km licence north of the Orapa mine,
is currently being surveyed using the airborne Bell Geospace system. This
state of the art technique will hopefully indicate previously undiscovered,
possibly large, kimberlite pipes.
The 29 known kimberlites on the joint venture licences, are being explored
with detailed ground geophysics. Early results indicate that some of
the kimberlites may be larger than previously believed.
A substantial drilling programme, including wide diameter drilling,
will commence this month.
Results of 100 tonne bulk samples already taken from kimberlites AK6
and AK10 will be available during the next quarter.
Earlier exploration by African Diamonds on the Serowe licence, 120 kms
southeast of Orapa, produced significant diamond indicators. These findings
are being re-analysed and evaluated by De Beers. The conclusions will
determine the next step in exploration. Additional licenses in this area are
expected to be awarded to the joint venture.
In addition, the Company reports that trial mining has begun on Pipe 3 in Sierra
Leone and is producing diamonds. Commissioning is proceeding but has had
significant delays due to operational issues.
John Teeling, Chairman of African Diamonds plc, said:
'The value of a joint venture with a world class partner is shown here. In three
months, our partner has carried out exploration which would have taken us years
to complete and cost millions. I am delighted with the results emerging and I
anticipate there is more to come. We believe that our ground is premier class -
the findings support that view. Flying the Bell system and drilling the
kimberlite targets foretell exciting times in the coming months.
'Commencing trial mining on Pipe 3 in Sierra Leone has taken significantly
longer then anticipated but it has begun and is producing diamonds. African
Diamonds should be in a position to provide a detailed update shortly.'
Contacts:
African Diamonds Plc
John Teeling Tel: +353 1 8332833
Mark Scowcroft Tel: +27 11 447 4997
Redleaf Communications
Emma Kane/James White Tel: +44 (0) 20 7955 1410
Rowan Dartington
Ian Rice Tel: +44 (0) 117 933 0020
Notes to Editors:
African Diamonds and De Beers announced the signing of the agreement to
establish a joint venture company to explore for, and if successful, develop
new diamond mines in Botswana on 22 April 2004;
Ownership of the joint venture is initially 49% African Diamonds and
51% De Beers with De Beers funding the joint venture through to bankable
feasibility study. De Beers' shareholding will rise to 70% upon completion of
the first bankable feasibility study. The size of any mine resulting from the
joint venture will decide whether it is managed by De Beers or African
Diamonds with larger mines operated by De Beers and those below an agreed
threshold operated by African Diamonds, who will receive a preferential
profit share in those operations of Newco.
Further information on African Diamonds plc is available at the Company's
website:
http://www.afdiamonds.com