Drilling Report

SouthernEra continues to return positive indicator results and macro

    diamonds from kimberlite program in the DRC

 

    -  PROGRAM ON SCHEDULE AND GENERATES NEW PROSPECTIVE AREAS

    -  ADDITIONAL AIRBORNE SURVEYS TO COMMENCE IN JULY

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    TSX: SDM

    AIM: SRE

 

    TORONTO and LONDON, April 19 /CNW/ - SouthernEra Diamonds Inc. (TSX: SDM;

AIM: SRE) today provided an update of the Company's extensive kimberlite

diamond programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"). The program is

focused on testing airborne targets and conducting systematic detailed stream

and soil sampling surveys to upgrade targets in preparation for drill testing

during 2006. In addition, the regional reconnaissance sampling program is

highlighting new diamond prospective areas. Positive results are being

returned from these programs with high-interest kimberlitic indicator minerals

("KIMs"), some with diamonds, recovered from numerous samples.

    Within the previously announced SouthernEra and BHP Billiton Joint

Venture primary diamond exploration program covering over 13,000 km2 of

diamond prospective land, exploration teams have completed detailed

reconnaissance stream sampling on the 4th block of permits (out of a total of

11 blocks). Three of the blocks treated to date have returned high interest

KIMs (garnet and ilmenite) and two of the blocks have thus far returned

diamonds in the samples. In one block in particular, stream samples taken from

small drainage basins contain large KIMs (greater than 2mm) with fresh surface

textures, as well as 6 macro-diamonds (up to 4.5mm in diameter). These results

are indicative of proximal kimberlitic sources. A 100 litre sample from the

same block also returned 3 macro-diamonds in the 2mm size range. Since the

project's inception, over 1,000 stream samples have been collected and

reconnaissance sampling is expected to be completed in all blocks by the end

of the year.

    High interest airborne magnetic targets generated from a 43,000 line

kilometer survey continue to be evaluated with soil sampling, as well as

ground geophysical surveys. One particular target has returned kimberlitic

garnet and ilmenite, as well as a diamond from surface soils. This target is

also proximal to extensive artisanal alluvial diamond workings. Existing and

future geophysical and KIMs targets will be prioritized and drill-tested

during the course of the year. Drilling equipment is en route to the DRC.

    Commenting on the above, Howard Bird, Senior Vice-President Exploration,

said: "We have developed an experienced exploration crew in the DRC and I am

delighted with their progress to date. The positive early stage results are

extremely encouraging and bode well for discovering the primary sources to the

alluvial diamonds that occur within the numerous project areas".

    SouthernEra has finalized a contract with an airborne geophysics company

to survey the remaining blocks of permits recording both magnetic and

radiometric data. The program is scheduled to commence in July 2006.

Approximately 40,000 line km will be flown with survey line spacing ranging

from 100m to 200m designed to recognize medium to large scale kimberlite

intrusives, as well as to aid in the geological interpretation of areas never

previously mapped.

    The DRC is producing up to 20 million carats of diamonds per year. The

majority of SouthernEra's permits lie within a 'kimberlite emplacement

corridor' that extends from the renowned diamond-producing Lunda Norte

Province in neighboring Angola, northeast into the DRC. The section of this

corridor in the DRC has yet to be fully explored with only 11 kimberlites

identified to date as opposed to over 700 in the Angolan section. This

corridor is regarded as the world's most prospective and largest new diamond

exploration opportunity.

    Mr. Uwe Naeher, Professional Geologist, is the qualified person, under NI

43-101, responsible for the technical information in this release. All stream

and soil samples collected for the recovery of kimberlitic indicator minerals

and diamonds are processed at SouthernEra's in-house diamond laboratory

located in Kinshasa, DRC and in Polokwane, South Africa.

 

    SouthernEra Diamonds is one of Canada's fully integrated diamond

companies with extensive kimberlite diamond exploration and alluvial programs

in the DRC as well as other countries including Canada, Gabon, Zimbabwe and

South Africa. The Company also holds the majority interest in the Klipspringer

Diamond Mine in South Africa and maintains an 18 percent free-carried interest

in the Camafuca Diamond Project in Angola.

 

    Some statements contained in this news release are forward-looking and,

therefore, involve uncertainties or risks that could cause actual results to

differ materially. Such forward-looking statements include comments regarding

exploration work. Actual results could differ materially from those

anticipated. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking

statements.

 

     

    For further information: SouthernEra Diamonds Inc., Howard Bird, Senior

Vice President, Exploration, or Sharon Allan, Investor Relations, Telephone:

[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: inbox(at)southernera.com, 

www.southernera.com; London: 4C-Burvale, Carina Corbett, Director, Telephone:

[phone], Fax: [phone], Email:

corbett(at)4c-burvale.co.uk

    (SDM. SRE)