19th Apr 2006 17:57
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 Shares issued and outstanding: 159,428,601 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 kimberlitediamond programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"). The program isfocused on testing airborne targets and conducting systematic detailed streamand soil sampling surveys to upgrade targets in preparation for drill testingduring 2006. In addition, the regional reconnaissance sampling program ishighlighting new diamond prospective areas. Positive results are beingreturned 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 JointVenture primary diamond exploration program covering over 13,000 km2 ofdiamond prospective land, exploration teams have completed detailedreconnaissance stream sampling on the 4th block of permits (out of a total of11 blocks). Three of the blocks treated to date have returned high interestKIMs (garnet and ilmenite) and two of the blocks have thus far returneddiamonds in the samples. In one block in particular, stream samples taken fromsmall drainage basins contain large KIMs (greater than 2mm) with fresh surfacetextures, as well as 6 macro-diamonds (up to 4.5mm in diameter). These resultsare indicative of proximal kimberlitic sources. A 100 litre sample from thesame block also returned 3 macro-diamonds in the 2mm size range. Since theproject's inception, over 1,000 stream samples have been collected andreconnaissance sampling is expected to be completed in all blocks by the endof the year. High interest airborne magnetic targets generated from a 43,000 linekilometer survey continue to be evaluated with soil sampling, as well asground geophysical surveys. One particular target has returned kimberliticgarnet and ilmenite, as well as a diamond from surface soils. This target isalso proximal to extensive artisanal alluvial diamond workings. Existing andfuture geophysical and KIMs targets will be prioritized and drill-testedduring 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 amdelighted with their progress to date. The positive early stage results areextremely encouraging and bode well for discovering the primary sources to thealluvial diamonds that occur within the numerous project areas". SouthernEra has finalized a contract with an airborne geophysics companyto survey the remaining blocks of permits recording both magnetic andradiometric data. The program is scheduled to commence in July 2006.Approximately 40,000 line km will be flown with survey line spacing rangingfrom 100m to 200m designed to recognize medium to large scale kimberliteintrusives, as well as to aid in the geological interpretation of areas neverpreviously mapped. The DRC is producing up to 20 million carats of diamonds per year. Themajority of SouthernEra's permits lie within a 'kimberlite emplacementcorridor' that extends from the renowned diamond-producing Lunda NorteProvince in neighboring Angola, northeast into the DRC. The section of thiscorridor in the DRC has yet to be fully explored with only 11 kimberlitesidentified to date as opposed to over 700 in the Angolan section. Thiscorridor is regarded as the world's most prospective and largest new diamondexploration opportunity. Mr. Uwe Naeher, Professional Geologist, is the qualified person, under NI43-101, responsible for the technical information in this release. All streamand soil samples collected for the recovery of kimberlitic indicator mineralsand diamonds are processed at SouthernEra's in-house diamond laboratorylocated in Kinshasa, DRC and in Polokwane, South Africa. SouthernEra Diamonds is one of Canada's fully integrated diamondcompanies with extensive kimberlite diamond exploration and alluvial programsin the DRC as well as other countries including Canada, Gabon, Zimbabwe andSouth Africa. The Company also holds the majority interest in the KlipspringerDiamond Mine in South Africa and maintains an 18 percent free-carried interestin 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 todiffer materially. Such forward-looking statements include comments regardingexploration work. Actual results could differ materially from thoseanticipated. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-lookingstatements. For further information: SouthernEra Diamonds Inc., Howard Bird, SeniorVice President, Exploration, or Sharon Allan, Investor Relations, Telephone:(416) 359-9282, Fax: (416) 359-9141, E-mail: inbox(at)southernera.com, www.southernera.com; London: 4C-Burvale, Carina Corbett, Director, Telephone:+44 (0) 20-7907-4761, Fax: +44 (0) 20-7907-4769, Email:corbett(at)4c-burvale.co.uk (SDM. SRE) ENDSOUTHERNERA DIAMONDS INCRelated Shares:
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