African Diamonds soon to produce gem diamonds

Aim-listed African Diamonds announced today that the company will be producing gem quality diamonds within eight weeks.

Irish Chairman John Teeling said at the company's AGM today that the 240 ton-a-day pilot mining plant on Pipe 3 in Koidu, Sierra Leone will be operational in March.

He added that the company has high hopes for this plant.

"The new DiamondWorks mine on Pipes 1 and 2, three kilometres away, is reporting outstanding grades of 67 carats per hundred tons, as well as finding 25 plus carat stones," he said.

"Koidu produces some of the highest quality diamonds in the world. Pipe 3 has every chance of becoming a high grade commercial mine."

Teeling also said that the company was at an early stage in discussing possible joint activities with a diamond-mining partner.