2012 Revised Resource and Reserve Statement

RNS Number : 3896I

Gem Diamonds Limited

25 July 2012

 



25 July 2012

GEM DIAMONDS LIMITED

("Gem Diamonds" or "the Company")

2012 REVISED RESOURCE AND RESERVE STATEMENT

Gem Diamonds Limited (LSE: GEMD) has released a revised Resource and Reserve statement, which is available on the Company's website www.gemdiamonds.com

Key Comments on the 2012 Summary Resource Statement:

•            The total resource base in carats has been maintained at circa 29 million carats

•            The Indicated portion of the total carat resource has been maintained at 62%

•            The Letšeng resource base (carats) has increased by 10% due to higher resource grade estimates

•            The Letšeng revenue (US$ per carat) estimate has increased by 5% to an overall value of US$2839 per carat

•            The Ellendale resource base in carats has reduced by 15% to 3.98 million carats

•            The overall (including E4) Ellendale revenue (US$ per carat) estimate has increased by 16%. The Indicated resource (predominantly the E9 orebody) revenue estimate has increased by 54% 

•             The Ghaghoo resource base (carats) remains unchanged at 20.53 million carats

•             The Ghaghoo revenue estimate has increased by 16% to an overall value of US$259 per carat

Reserves:

•            Improved performance in terms of reduced diamond damage for Letšeng's plant 3 has been revised up to a 9% increase in Letšeng's revenue compared to 5% in the 2011 reserve statement.

•            An increase in diamond liberation for Letšeng's plant 3 is expected to add a further 4% increase in Letšeng's revenue which had not been included in the 2011 reserve statement.

For further information:

Gem Diamonds Limited

Sherryn Tedder, Investor Relations

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [phone]

Kim O'Farrell, Public and Media Relations

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [phone]

Pelham Bell Pottinger

James MacFarlane

Tel: [phone]

About Gem Diamonds:

Gem Diamonds is a leading global diamond producer with a focus on high value diamonds. Its production portfolio comprises kimberlite and lamproite mines in Lesotho and Australia, and a mine development project in Botswana. Both production mines are world-leaders in production of the highest quality, highest value gems: remarkable whites from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho; fancy yellow diamonds from Ellendale in Australia. This production positions the Company strongly in a segment of the market expected to generate attractive returns over the long term.

Gem Diamonds has a clear and consistent growth strategy, based on development of its existing assets and carefully targeted acquisition. The strategy has been implemented with a view to capitalising on the steady improvement in the diamond market seen during 2010-11 and the supply demand dynamics which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

 

END

 

 

MSCSEAFDLFESEEW