Botswana Diamonds plc, the AIM listed diamond explorer (AIM: BOD) is pleased to announce the award of six new Prospecting Licenses in Botswana to Sunland Minerals Pty Ltd, BOD's Joint Venture company with Alrosa.
The Prospecting Licenses ('PL') were issued for a period of three years ending on 30th March 2020. Four are in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve ('CKGR') and cover 3,135 square kilometres and two are in the Orapa kimberlite province and cover 482 square kilometres.
The areas were selected following a detailed review of historical data by the BOD and Alrosa team. The CKGR area was selected as it is close to the Gem Diamonds Gope Mine as well as high interest projects held by the Maibwe Joint Venture, where BOD is a partner. The Kalahari cover is thinner and there are unexplained geophysical and kimberlite indicator anomalies some of which are contiguous with existing pipes. The Orapa area, North-East of Debswana's Letlhakane Mine was selected as there also unexplained anomalies. There are 85 kimberlites in the Orapa kimberlite province of which 8 are current diamond mines, or have been active diamond mines previously. The Orapa Mine is also the largest Tier 1 diamond mine by area in the world at 118 hectares.
In addition to the new PL's, the Company is also pleased to announce that an Alrosa team of geologists and mineralogists have arrived in Botswana to begin the 2017 field exploration programme. As previously announced, this will focus on sampling and geophysical studies on four licences, PL 260 in Orapa and PL 135, 235 and 234 in the Gope area. Further announcements regarding this exploration programme will be made as appropriate.
John Teeling, Chairman, commented "I am delighted that we have been awarded this highly prospective ground in Botswana. This will allow us to work with Alrosa to deploy advanced exploration technology to areas which have not been looked at through this lens before."
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.
This release has been approved by James Campbell, Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds plc, a qualified geologist (Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a Fellow of Materials, Metals and Mining with over 31-years' experience in the diamond sector.
ENDS
Enquiries:
Botswana Diamonds PLC |
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John Teeling, Chairman |
+353 1 833 2833 |
James Campbell, Managing Director |
+27 83 457 3724 |
Jim Finn, Director |
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Northland Capital Partners Limited |
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David Hignell/Gerry Beaney (Corporate Finance) |
+44 (0) 203 861 6625 |
John Howes (Broking) |
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Dowgate Capital Stockbrokers Limited |
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Jason Robertson |
+44 (0) 203 903 7725 |
Blytheweigh |
+44 (0) 207 138 3204 |
Camilla Horsfall |
+44 (0) 781 784 1793 |
Nick Elwes |
+44 (0) 783 185 1855 |
Kristina Kazerani |
+44 (0) 207 138 3206 |
Rachael Brooks |
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Teneo PSG |
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Ciaran Flynn |
+353 (0) 1 661 4055 |
Alan Tyrrell |
+353 (0) 1 661 4055 |
www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk
