See www.riverdiamonds.co.uk !!!

Update on the Panguma Diamond Project in Sierra Leone

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200803060701304804P.html

River Diamonds Close To Finalising Fiji Deal


By Rob Davies



Dealing with six lawyers in various continents and countries, as they work to finalise a 300 page re-admission document, would surely dishearten many men. To Colin Orr-Ewing, executive chairman of River Diamonds, its all in a days work. In fact he was relaxed enough last week to take off for a weekends skiing after announcing the final details of the deal alongside his annual results. As his companys shares are suspended pending submission of the re-admission document theres not a lot else he can do right now. However, he was able to give Minews time and to provide a summary of how the deal is progressing.
All being well the document will be submitted next week, allowing the shares to start trading again. They were suspended at 4.5p in late November but the company subsequently raised 4.7m through a placing at 6p, ten days before Christmas. Quite what the price will be when the 1,660 m shares become available for trading next week will be interesting to watch.

The reason for the suspension and issuance of new shares is the completion of the acquisition of the Vatukoula gold mine in Fiji, an acquisition which has been underway for some time. In recent years it has had a chequered history, but River director David Lenigas used to be the managing director of Vatukoula back in the early nineties when Western Mining had an interest in it, so Mr Orr-Ewing is under no illusions. Its a high cost mine, for a start. Mr Orr-Ewings estimate is about US$450 an ounce production cost. Even so, with gold heading for the US$1,000 an ounce level that still leaves a healthy margin.

The ability to use the experience of Mr Lenigas will be vital in maximising the value of the resource, which is not small. Vatukoula has a JORC resource of 4.8 million ounces and a reserve of 823,000 ounces. The plan is to achieve production of 27,000 ounces by the end of June this year before working up to 100,000 ounces or maybe 110,000 ounces a year average production. At the moment only three or four stopes are developed and in this kind of small-scale - almost hand mining - operation about a dozen stopes are required to maintain a steady feed to the mill. So far the company has spent 2.5m on recommissioning and has another 2m to still spend. One of the major items needing attention is the crusher and Mr Orr-Ewing admits that a lot of the plant looks a bit tired.

Despite that he feels the mine will turn a profit for three reasons - in addition to the higher gold price. The previous operator had a payroll of 2,000 whereas Mr Orr-Ewings plan is to use only 700. Moreover, the mine was hampered in the past by forward sales that resulted in margin calls as the price went up. Finally, the old manager was reluctant to go underground after a traumatic incident in another mine, which severely limited his ability to run the operation. Mining at Vatukoula is not made any easier by the high underground temperatures. After all it is located in a 2 million year old volcano which is still cooling down. Mine water has a temperature of about 80o C and the mine needs to be cooled by the use of an oil fired system. With oil prices at over US$100 a barrel that doesnt help costs. While Mr Orr-Ewing admits it is hot and humid underground he points out that most mines are uncomfortable places. Something which few people involved in mining would disagree with.

A final factor to bear in mind with this operation is that Fiji is run by a military government after a coup in December 2006. While that does have some impact on aid funding Mr Orr-Ewing does not think it is a major issue. More important to him is that the mine has its own rugger pitch, with a stand.

Govt to support Vatukoula community
12 MAR 2008

"Fijis interim Government says it will continue to support the Vatukoula community until Westech Gold Mines becomes fully operational.

A Cabinet meeting yesterday endorsed supporting initiatives via multi-agency coordination to assist the Vatukoula community and the mining industry.

Minister for Lands, Mineral Resources and Environment Netani Sukanaivalu told Cabinet
yesterday that Westech has demonstrated a commitment to bringing the mine to production proper as per the obligations as mining lease holders, under the Mining Act, through activities deemed to be prerequisite to actual mine production.

He said that to facilitate achievement of production targets, Westech has recruited around 530 employees to date, in a number of areas including mining.

However during tripartite meetings between Government, Westech, and the community, it is also quite clear that Westech at this stage cannot be recruiting all the workers, he pointed out.

As a result, Government will continue its assistance through the Vatukoula Trust Fund as required under the Deed.

He said that to enable the funds to be channelled to the community, a Board of Trustees is to be constituted in accordance to the Vatukoula Trust Fund Deed.

This board will consist of three government representatives, and a representative each of former employees, the Westech Company, and the community.

The Minister said that to facilitate much-needed assistance to the needy, Government will coordinate its activities and pool its resources amongst ministries to ensure the Vatukoula community can find alternative sources of livelihood and basic essentials such as housing, education and water supply and food security."

.

River Diamonds shares rsume trading
AFX


LONDON (Thomson Financial) - River Diamonds PLC said its shares have resumed trading on AIM after it published documents for its previously announced acquisition of the remaining 80 pct stake in Viso Gero International Inc (VGI).

In December 2007, the diamond exploration company said it signed an agreement to acquire Emperor Gold Mine through a series of acquisitions which constituted a reverse takeover.

The company said it will pay 2.1 mln aud in cash and issue about 478 mln shares at 6 pence each, taking the total purchase price to 29.56 mln stg.

VGI in turn will acquire the remaining 6 pct of Westech Gold Pty Ltd.

Following the acquisitions, River Diamonds will own 100 pct of VGI, and will indirectly, through Westech and its indirect subsidiaries, hold a 100 pct interest in the Emperor Gold Mine.

Colin Orr-Ewing, Chairman of River Diamonds commented, 'The acquisition of the
Vatukuola Mine provides River Diamonds with the opportunity to bring this
historic gold mine back to profitability at a time of high prevailing gold
prices. We believe this will bring benefits not only to River Diamonds'
shareholders, but also to the Fijian Government, the employees at the mine and
the people of Fiji.'

With gold at an all time record high of around $1,000 an ounce, this stock must be a licence to print money! Or am i missing something.
Good luck all.

Mt
I agree still holding.

Are all trades being routed to dealers today, as I find it hard to believe the weight of selling against purchases. Come the end of the day I wonder if this trend will suddenly be reversed, as I have seen similar tactics employed by mm's before, in only reporting what they want to give a false impression.

I think this is the something i may have missed! Holding off for now.

http://www.fijitimes.com/print.aspx?id=83871

This is starting to look cheap gold prices could go to $1500 there's plenty of Gold in that there mine.

http://www.riverdiamonds.co.uk/

Some big buyers coming in 1m+ should now see a steady rise up to the 6p placing price and beyond.

Another big buy at the end 6m 250000

Nice little dip on Thursday so i took a small long-term position.

http:www.fijilive.com/news_new/index.php/news/show_news/3046

Good luck all.

River Diamonds PLC
31 March 2008



River Diamonds PLC

('River Diamonds' or 'the Company')



Result of General Meeting


Further to the announcement on 13 March 2008, the Company is pleased to announce
the resolution relating to its acquisition of the 80% of the share capital of
Viso Gero International, Inc. not already held by the Company was passed by
shareholders today.



It is expected that Re-Admission of the Enlarged Group will become effective and
dealings in the Enlarged Group's shares will commence on AIM on 1 April 2008.



Enquiries:

River Diamonds PLC
01 April 2008

1 April 2008

River Diamonds PLC
('River Diamonds' or 'the Company')

First Day of Dealings


River Diamonds plc is pleased to announce the first day of dealings in the
shares of the Enlarged Group on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange
following the passing on 31 March 2008 of the resolution relating to its
acquisition of the 80% of the share capital of Viso Gero International, Inc. not
already held by the Company.

TRANSACTION HIGHLIGHTS

Acquisition gives the Company 100% ownership of the Vatukoula Gold Mine in
Fiji
River Diamonds has raised gross proceeds of 4,669,000 following a placing
at 6p per share
John Stalker and Neil Herbert have been appointed as non executive
directors of the Company with effect from today (further details of these
appointments have been given in the Re-Admission document published by the
Company on 13 March 2008)

ADMISSION STATISTICS

Number of Existing Ordinary Shares 1,104,705,388
Number of Placed Shares 77,816,666
Number of Consideration Shares 477,633,333
Number of Arrangement Fee Shares 25,000,000
Number of Retained Consideration Shares 334,343,333
Enlarged Share Capital following Re-Admission 1,685,155,387
Consideration Shares as a % of Enlarged Share Capital 28.34%
New Ordinary Shares as a % of Enlarged Share Capital 34.44%

Colin Orr-Ewing, Chairman of River Diamonds commented, 'We are delighted to have
completed the transaction and now look forward to bringing the Vatukoula Gold
Mine back to full production and profitability.'

In this mornings D/t in there business pages( page b10)
In the data base @ the side there is mention of them pouring there Fst gold since the mine was placed into care back in 2006 In Fiji.It has poured there fst gold totaling 641ounces .

With 2 x 12,000,000 share purchases just gone through, the price should tick up, unless there is more to come.

River Diamonds NOW VATUKOULA GOLD (VGM)

http://www.moneyam.com/quote/index.php?epic=VGM