Drilling Report

SouthernEra discovers new kimberlite on Monument Property, Northwest

    Territories, Canada

 

    -  New kimberlite discovery core to be tested for diamonds

    -  Microdiamond results expected during 2nd quarter from DD-17 kimberlite

       pipe drill tested in 2005

    Shares Issued and Outstanding: 128,343,101

    TSX: SDM

    AIM: SRE

 

    TORONTO and LONDON, April 12 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Diamonds Inc. (the

"Company") (TSX: SDM, AIM: SRE) is pleased to report a new kimberlite

discovered in the first drill hole of the spring 2006 program on the Monument

Project in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Diamond drill hole MON06-001,

inclined -45 degrees and oriented at 178 degrees Azimuth, intersected

volcaniclastic kimberlite between 43.7 and 99.0 meters. Drilling targeted a

coincident geophysical high frequency MaxMin EM response and magnetic anomaly.

The kimberlite, named RIP, is mineralized with pyrope, chrome diopside, and

macrocrystic olivine in a dark grey fine grained matrix. Carbonized wood is

present which suggests a favourable kimberlite emplacement age similar to

economic kimberlites in the area. A second drill hole is underway to determine

the pipe's dimensions to the west.

    The Monument property is located on the south shore of Lac De Gras, NWT

within the same kimberlite emplacement corridor that hosts the Ekati Diamond

Mine (operated by BHP Billiton) located 40 kilometers from Monument. In

addition to the current drilling program, a detailed 25 meter line spaced

ground magnetic survey covering most of the property is underway and ground

gravity surveys to enhance airborne gravity anomalies and explore for

kimberlite at the head of a subtle kimberlite indicator mineral train will

commence shortly. The current drill program is testing targets generated from

the 2005 geophysical program and review of previous data. Any new targets

generated from the spring 2006 geophysical programs will be tested during

2006.

    In 2005 the DD17 kimberlite pipe was drill tested and resampled. The core

was logged, split, and separated into 29 samples where it was sealed and

securely stored prior to shipping to the laboratory. SRC Geoanalytical

Laboratories has reported that 464.64 kg were received intact, and is now

being processed by caustic fusion that will recover all diamonds larger than

75 microns. Microdiamond analysis is also pending from the kimberlite, DD42

East, discovered during the 2005 drill program. Results are expected during

the 2nd Quarter, 2006.

    The Monument Project is owned 22.11% by SouthernEra Diamonds Inc, 57.49%

by New Nadina Explorations Limited and 20.4% by Archon Minerals Ltd. The

project is operated by New Nadina, under supervision of Mr. K. R. Kivi,

P.Geol., an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 

43-101. Field operations are conducted by SouthernEra Diamonds' experienced

exploration team under supervision of Uwe Naeher, P.Geol. Mr. Kivi has

reviewed the content of this news release. In addition to the new kimberlite

discovery announced today, the Monument property hosts three diamond-bearing

kimberlite pipes (DD17, DD39 and DD42) and two kimberlite dykes (DD2002 and

DD42 East Dyke).

 

    SouthernEra Diamonds is one of Canada's fully integrated diamond

companies with extensive alluvial and kimberlite diamond exploration in the

DRC as well as other countries including Canada, Gabon, Zimbabwe and South

Africa. The Company also holds the Klipspringer Diamond Mine in South Africa

and maintains an 18 percent free-carried interest in the Camafuca Diamond

Project in Angola.

 

 

    For further information: SouthernEra Diamonds Inc., Mr. Howard M. Bird,

Senior Vice President, Exploration, or Ms. Sharon Allan, Investor Relations,

Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:

inbox(at)southernera.com, www.southernera.com; London: 4C-Burvale, Carina

Corbett, Director, Telephone: ++44 (0) 207-907-4761, Fax:                 

++44 (0) 207-907-4769, Email: Corbett(at)4c-burvale.co.uk

    (SRE)