31 March 2022
GEM DIAMONDS LIMITED
("Gem Diamonds" or "the Company")
Sale of Gem Diamonds Botswana Proprietary Limited
In 2021, Gem Diamonds Limited (LSE: GEMD), entered into a binding share sale agreement (the "Agreement") with Okwa Diamonds (Pty) Ltd ("Okwa Diamonds") (the "Purchaser") for the sale of 100% of the share capital of Gem Diamonds Botswana Proprietary Limited ("GDB"), the owner of the Ghaghoo diamond mine in Botswana.
Okwa Diamonds, an SPV company registered in Botswana, is owned by Vast Resources PLC, a mining and resource development company listed on AIM ("Vast"), and by Botswana Diamonds PLC, a diamond exploration and project development company listed on AIM and the Botswana Stock Exchange ("Botswana Diamonds").
The Agreement was subject to the fulfilment of certain suspensive conditions, including obtaining competition authority and regulatory approvals within Botswana. In October and December 2021, the competition and regulatory conditions were fulfilled, and the required approvals were obtained from the Botswana Competition Authority and the Department of Mines, respectively.
In January 2021 the long-stop date for completion of the sale was extended to 31 March 2022 for Botswana Diamonds to secure a funding partner to replace Vast for the acquisition of GDB . Following discussions with, and upon the request of, Botswana Diamonds, the Company has agreed to extend the long-stop date to 10 May 2022 to allow Botswana Diamonds to complete discussions with its selected potential funding partners.
The Gem Diamonds Limited LEI number is 213800RC2PGGMZQG8L67.
For further information:
Gem Diamonds
Susan Wallace, Company Secretarial department
Celicourt Communications
Mark Antelme / Felicity Winkles
Tel: +44 (0) 208 434 2643
About Gem Diamonds:
Gem Diamonds is a leading global diamond producer of high value diamonds. The Company owns 70% of the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. The Letšeng mine is famous for the production of large, top colour, exceptional white diamonds, making it the highest dollar per carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world. www.gemdiamonds.com