Mineral Resources and Reserve Statement

RNS Number : 7515G

Gem Diamonds Limited

18 May 2011

 



18 May 2011                                                                                                                   Announcement

GEM DIAMONDS LIMITED

Independent Technical Report and Mineral Resource and Reserve Statements

Gem Diamonds Limited (LSE: GEMD) (Gem Diamonds) (the Company) is pleased to release its Independent Technical Report (ITR) which includes details of the Group's mineral resources and reserves and pricing as at 31 December 2010, as well as the latest information regarding operations and projects.

The ITR is an independent economic analysis of Gem Diamonds' operations and is the first full guidance on the Company's life of mine planning published since its IPO in 2007. The ITR has been compiled by independent Qualified Persons from Venmyn Rand Pty Ltd (Venmyn) and has been prepared in compliance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101, and JORC and SAMREC codes for resources and reserves. The effective date of the ITR is 1 March 2011.

The full ITR is available in PDF format for downloading on the company's website as well as a summary of the resource and reserve statements. www.gemdiamonds.com

Highlights:

·      Gem Diamonds total resource of 28.89 million carats is valued at an average of US$536 per carat, which increases the in-situ value by 45% (year on year) to US$15.5 billion (US$12.5 billion attributable). 

·      The Letšeng mine in Lesotho:

§  Total resource of 3 661 300 carats

§  Main pipe average of US$2 395 per carat

§  Satellite pipe average of US$3 186 per carat

§  In-situ value totalling US$9.9 billion (US$6.9 billion attributable)

§  Improved diamond prices for Letšeng have contributed to a planned open-pit life of approximately 30 years, with further potential from underground operations anticipated.

§  Included within the Expansion Project are various process improvements and cost saving interventions that add further value to the operation.

At an 8% discount rate Letšeng has an NPV attributable to Gem Diamonds of US$ 1 569 million

·      The Gope Mine in Botswana:

§     Total resource of 20 532 300 carats

§     Average of US$223 per carat

§     In-situ value totalling US$4.6 billion (100% attributable)

§  The business case for Gope indicates a substantial life-of mine over and above the currently defined reserves.

At a 10% discount rate Gope has an NPV attributable to Gem Diamonds of US$ 181 million 

·      The Ellendale mine in Australia:

§     Total resource of 4 694 200 carats

§     E9 pipe average of US$513 per carat

§     E4 pipe average of US$148 per carat

§     In-situ value totalling US$1.0 billion (100%) attributable

·      At an 8% discount rate Ellendale has an NPV attributable to Gem Diamonds of US$83 million

The ITR contains the latest technical data regarding the individual operations and takes into consideration the new expansion plans at Letšeng, with revised production and revenue forecasts. Included are details of capex schedules, costing schedules, price models and Net Present Values (NPVs) along with updated resource and reserve statements for each of the principal mineral assets, the Letšeng mine in Lesotho, the Ellendale mine in Australia and the Gope mine in Botswana.

Gem Diamonds' CEO, Clifford Elphick commented:

"This Independent Technical Report was commissioned by Gem Diamonds in order to identify the current value of our principal assets, the Letšeng mine in Lesotho; the Ellendale mine in Australia and the Gope mine in Botswana. This independent report highlights the strength of these assets and the Company's considerable growth potential, which is underpinned by a strong balance sheet, expansion plans, rising diamond prices and a long term supply demand disparity."

Summary of the Group's resources and reserves:

Mineral Resources as at 31 December 2010 (inclusive of reserves)*

Project Name	Resource Classification	Tonnes (t)	Grade (cpht)	Carats	Value (USD/ct)	Gem Diamond's attributable carats	Bottom screen size cut-off (mm)
Letšeng	Indicated	76,970,000	1.61	1,238,100	2,629	866,670	2.0
Ellendale		18,090,000	6.19	1,119,700	245	1,119,700	1.5
Gope		79,390,000	19.51	15,492,000	223	15,492,000	1.5
TOTAL/WT. AVE INDICATED		174,450,000	10.23	17,849,800	391	17,478,370
Letšeng	Inferred	140,966,000	1.72	2,423,200	2,733	1,696,240	2.0
Ellendale		68,387,000	5.23	3,574,500	215	3,574,500	1.5
Gope		28,777,000	17.52	5,040,300	222	5,040,300	1.5
TOTAL/WT. AVE INFERRED		238,130,000	4.64	11,038,000	771	10,311,040

 * Gope resource effective as of 01 March 2011

 Mineral Reserves as at 31 December 2010*

Project Name	Reserve Classification	Tonnes (t)	Rec. Grade (cpht)	Carats	Value (USD/ct)	Gem Diamond's attributable carats	Bottom screen size cut-off (mm)
Letšeng	Probable	76,406,000	1.60	1,221,700	2,631	855,100	2.0
Ellendale		9,229,000	6.27	578,400	346	578,400	1.5
Gope		3,730,000	26.47	987,300	203	987,300	1.5
TOTAL/WT. AVE PROBABLE		89,365,000	3.12	2,787,400	1,297	2,420,800

* Gope reserve effective as of 01 March 2011

For further information:

Gem Diamonds Limited

Clifford Elphick, Chief Executive Officer

Glenn Turner, Chief Commercial and Legal Officer

Tel: [phone]

Richard Chetwode, Investor Relations

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [phone]

Gem Diamond Technical Services (Pty) Ltd

Sherryn Tedder, Corporate Affairs

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [phone]

Pelham Bell Pottinger

Charles Vivian

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [phone]

James MacFarlane

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [phone]

About Gem Diamonds:

Gem Diamonds is an international diamond mining company that has pursued a long term growth strategy through targeted acquisitions and the development of its existing assets. Following the recovery in diamond prices in 2010 the Company's focus has been to place itself in a position to take advantage of long term growth opportunities.

The Company's mining portfolio comprises producing kimberlite and lamproite mines in Lesotho and Australia, as well as development projects in Angola and Botswana.

With Letšeng's production of the world's most sought after remarkable white diamonds and Ellendale's production of rare fancy yellow diamonds, Gem Diamonds remains focused on higher value diamonds. This segment of the market is likely to deliver attractive long term returns.

www.gemdiamonds.com

 

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