Firestone Diamonds plc is a UK-based international diamond mining and exploration company with operations in the Namaqualand region of South Africa and Botswana. Namaqualand, which is located on the west coast of South Africa, has been one of the world's largest alluvial diamond producing regions for the past 60 years, with total production to date estimated to be worth more than $3 billion. Botswana is the world's largest producer of diamonds by value, with annual production of over 20 million carats worth over $1.6 billion.

Firestones strategy has been to build a portfolio comprising advanced development and production projects to provide sustainable cash flow to fund ongoing exploration programmes and to provide an early return on investment, together with large scale exploration projects which have the potential to yield significant reserves of gem quality diamonds.

The company operates the Avontuur Mine and the Oena Mine of Namaqualand, which produces high quality alluvial diamonds, and has a growing portfolio of advanced and early stage exploration projects in known diamond producing areas in Namaqualand and Botswana.



Since 1996 the company has increased reserves and resources more than thirty two times from 34,000 carats to over 1.1 million carats at present, with an estimated gross value of approximately 260 million. Firestone is debt free and well funded and has a highly qualified management team with extensive experience in the financing and development of diamond and other natural resource projects. Firestone is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol FDI.L.

Firestone also has an exploration project in the USA.



Main Mining Pit, Avontuur Mine, Namaqualand, South Africa.






For FDI Corporate information : http://www.firestonediamonds.com/frcorporate.htm

For FDI homepage : http://www.firestonediamonds.com/index.htm

Firestone Dimaonds shares in issue: 65m 20p Ords

Firestone Diamonds PLC - Major Shareholders

Major Shareholders ---- Amount --- % Holding
Elfin Trust Company Ltd 7,200,000 16.68
Aurora Investment Trust 7,200,000 16.68
Gartmore Investment Mgt 5,418,116 12.56

Just like DMR then.

laila25,

No I wouldn't say that at all!

But disagreement is what makes a market!

yes I would say no as well coz DMR is a ten bagger from currrent levels unlike FDI.

You're not Welsh by any chance are you Laila25, and prone to hanging out on the YOO threads?

queen1,

LOL!

Today's trades don't suggest a success at the Groen River is about to be announced to me.

We shall have to wait and see, but at least they should have other news to balance any setback at the Groen IMO, as we are expecting news from Botswana, Daly City, Buffels River, Oena, and Avontuur, plus the long awaited marine gravel project at Hondeklip Bay.

At least FDI found support after the early selloff.

I hope I'm wrong, but the vibes aren't good,

Down again today.........what a dog of a share....good job most stayed away when this thread woz started.

I tend to agree Andy and I find it quite perplexing. So much promise.....

Andy, call me old fashioned but why start posting on a thread of a share that you think is so bad? Do you think Eric Clapton's favourite knows something that we don't?!

Laila25 / Sue Helen,

NOT so!

Take a peek at the chart below, anyone buying in January 2005 whan I started this thread had a near 100% gain at one point!

Anyone selling on the way down using a sensible stop loss would have locked in decent profits, which is surely the name of the game?

And narrow spreads too!

Just for your convenience, the chart below compares the performances of FDI and DMR over the last two years.



Just in case you have any doubts, DMR is the orange line!

Splendid. Just a shame the sp is languishing at present. Still, there's always tomorrow...

queen1,

Yes, I feel news is near, but whatever comes out, I am convinced that FDI are a good long term bet, with so many exploration projects, increasing production, revenue, and now profit.

Rights issue at 50 pence???

Laila 25 / Sue Helen,

LOL!

We have UK 8 million cash in the bank, and nearly 9 million pounds worth of AFD shares, so a total of 17 million pounds, and a market cap of only 48 million!

With probable income of 5 million this year, the current valuation hardly looks challenging, in fact it's already undervalued IMO.

Apologies in advance, but I can't resist saying this as it's about the fourth time this has arisen in recent weeks:

When will the doom and gloom merchants get the point that small companies just don't do rights issues when they need to raise cash?

Placings are the usual method of fundraising, and it's part of the risk one takes on when buying shares in emerging companies.

Rant over. Thank you!

Soul traders,

I agree, but some don't seem to understand.

Anyway, as I said before, FDI have around 17 million in liquid assets, and with current expenditure, they have sufficient cash for several years with no income!

And they should have 4 million revenue this year at least, IMO, as the Buffels River project has commenced, and that has guarantees given by De Beers, with bonus levels if a certain tonnage is processed.

I thought the price drop indicated news was coming, maybe they will release during market hours?

Soul,

Interesting rise at the finish, news must be close I feel.

Andy,

RNS just out, no diamonds yet from Groen! However, Buffels looks promising! Just up and not time to digest yet but interesting to see how SP opens at 8.00

Ray A,

Yes some positives and negatives there, to save me typing it again, here is a copy of the post I have just posted over the road.


After some PC problems I have only just read through the RNS, and whilst clearly it's disappointing that the initial bulk sample is negative, it has to be put into perspective, the Groen is a massive area, and this has only been done on an area of 133 square metres!

IMO it's encouraging they have already completed pit sampling, and September is marked in for their processing, indicating IMO that they expect a better result this time around.

There were clearly come positives, one being the strong cash position, and the other the anticipated 3.2 million annual profit from the Buffels River JV.

Botswanan exploration continues apace, and the De beers zeppelin overflying FDI land is an enormously exciting prospect in my opinion, as this offers FDI a world class exploration system!

The curren tprice of 87p, giving a market cap of round 52 million, with 15 million in the bank, and profits of at least 4 million in the next financial year, FDI looks too cheap at this price to me, effectively any future exploration success is in for free!

Today's sellers may have cause to rue their decision in the not too distant future IMO.

RAy A,

It's interesting that the small amount of initial selling seems to have already dried up!

Andy,

Yes, bought few more at 87.66!

RAy A,

Well done!

Selling has dried up for the moment at least, touchwood, so hardly a rout in the end.

FDI have strong institutional support and a small free float, which helps.