TIDMBOD

RNS Number : 9206V

Botswana Diamonds PLC

21 April 2016

21(st) April 2016

Botswana Diamonds PLC

("Botswana Diamonds" or the "Company")

Update on Exploration in Botswana from March to April 2016

The Directors of Botswana Diamonds (AIM: BOD) are pleased to provide an update on their ongoing diamond exploration campaign in Botswana. The campaign is part of the 50/50 joint venture between Botswana Diamonds and Alrosa, the world's leading diamond producer.

   1.         EXPLORATION IN  ORAPA

Prospecting License (PL) 085, PL 210

1) Heavy concentrate sampling (30-50 litres) on detailed sites, selected according to the results of mineralogical research. Sampling grids - 200 x 200 m and 400 x 400 m.

   2)      Washing of heavy concentrate samples. 
   3)      Mineralogical analyses of heavy concentrate samples in the field laboratory. 
   4)      Sampling and washing are completed.  Drilling will begin in early May.

PL 260

   1)      Diamond drilling on kimberlite pipe AK-21 of two boreholes to a total depth of 423 m.

2) Heavy concentrate sampling (30-50 litre) on detailed sites selected by the results of the airborne magnetic survey.

3) Complex of ground geophysical surveys (magnetic, electric) to delineate anomalies connected with kimberlites.

4) Transient Electro Magnetic soundings (TEM) on kimberlite pipes AK-22 and AK-23 in order to get definitions of sizes and morphology to a depth of 300 m.

5) Ground geophysical TEM works on kimberlite pipe AK-21 in order to specify the morphology of the body to a depth of 150-300 m.

   6)      Studying the core of the boreholes. 
   7)      Hard rock sampling of the core and selection of specimens for various analyses. 
   8)      Hard rock samples treatment and washing.

9) Mineralogical analyses of the heavy concentrate and hard rock samples in the field laboratory.

10) Diamond drilling, early core analyses and TEM works are completed as is much of the heavy concentrate sampling. Reverse Circulation Drilling and sampling will continue into May.

   2.         EXPLORATION IN GOPE

PL135, PL136, PL137 AND PL 235

   1)      Ground geophysical works and TEM soundings on anomalies. 
   2)      Heavy concentrate sampling (250 litre) on geophysical anomalies. 
   3)      Washing of heavy concentrate samples. 
   4)      Mineralogical analyses of heavy concentrate samples in the field laboratory. 
   5)      This work is ongoing.

The Alrosa-led team is applying state-of-the-art technology in an innovative way. Mineralogical analyses of heavy concentrate samples in the field laboratory allows us to accelerate results so that our experts can focus the drill programme.

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This release has been approved by Benjamin Mosigi, MSc (Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology), who is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa.

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Enquiries:

 
 Botswana Diamonds PLC 
 John Teeling, Chairman          +353 1 833 2833 
 Jim Finn, Director 
 Dipti Mehta 
 Northland Capital Partners 
  Limited 
 David Hignell/Gerry Beaney 
  (Corporate Finance)            +44 (0) 203 861 6625 
 John Howes (Broking) 
 Dowgate Capital Stockbrokers 
  Limited 
 Jason Robertson                 +44 (0) 129 351 7744 
 Blytheweigh                     +44 (0) 207 138 3204 
 Camilla Horsfall                +44 (0) 781 784 1793 
 PSG Plus 
 Colm Heatley                    +353 (0) 1 661 4055 
 Alan Tyrrell                    +353 (0) 1 661 4055

www.botswanadiamonds.co.uk

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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April 21, 2016 06:03 ET (10:03 GMT)