FDI Firestone Diamonds Plc

RNS Number:7573N
Firestone Diamonds PLC
13 December 2006

                             Firestone Diamonds plc

               Kimberlite discovery at Tsabong project, Botswana



LONDON: 13 December 2006



HIGHLIGHTS


*   Three large kimberlites discovered

    *  MK71 - 15 hectares

    *  MK72 - 22 hectares

    *  MK73 - 18 hectares

*   Kimberlite discovery comes in first month of exploration at Tsabong

*   Total number of kimberlites in licence area increased to 70

*   Samples being prepared for microdiamond, mineral chemistry and
    petrographic analysis in Q1 2007

*   Exploration drilling to recommence in January 2007


Firestone Diamonds plc ("Firestone" or "the Company"), the AIM-quoted diamond
mining and exploration company, today announces the discovery of three large
kimberlites at its Tsabong kimberlite project in Botswana.

Exploration at Tsabong commenced in November 2006, and is targeting
approximately 80 well defined geophysical anomalies that were identified from
aeromagnetic survey data.  Geophysical and drilling crews were mobilised to the
area at the beginning of November and high resolution ground magnetic surveys
are being carried out on all kimberlite targets to select locations for drill
holes.

Drilling to the end of November has resulted in the discovery of 3 kimberlites,
known as MK71, MK72 and MK73.  Modeling of the airborne and ground magnetic data
indicates that all 3 kimberlites are large, with estimated surface areas of
approximately 15, 22 and 18 hectares, respectively.  Drill chip samples are
currently being prepared for dispatch to laboratories in South Africa and Canada
for microdiamond, mineral chemistry and petrographic analysis in Q1 2007.  MK73
is located under only 16 metres of overburden, which will facilitate further
drilling and bulk s2ampling, should that be warranted by the results of the
initial evaluation.  Exploration drilling will recommence in January 2007.

Philip Kenny, CEO of Firestone Diamonds, commented today: "The discovery of 3
large kimberlites within weeks of starting exploration is very encouraging.
This brings the total number of kimberlites in our project area to 70, and with
many more targets to drill we expect to continue to make new discoveries when
drilling resumes in 2007."

Details of the discovery holes, all of which were terminated in kimberlite, are
listed below:


   Kimberlite        Estimated    Hole depth      Kimberlite      Depth of overburden       Kimberlite type
                        size           (m)      intersection (m)           (m)
                     (Hectares)

      MK71               15            149             101                 48                Crater/diatreme

      MK72               22            215             124                 91                Crater/diatreme

      MK73               18            107             91                  16              Diatreme/hypabyssal




Background information on Tsabong:

The Tsabong kimberlite field is one of the largest diamondiferous kimberlite
fields in the world.  It contains 70 known kimberlites, of which 17 have been
proven to be diamondiferous, including the 180 hectare M1 kimberlite, which is
one of the largest known diamondiferous kimberlites.

Firestone plans to carry out approximately 10,000 metres of exploration drilling
in Tsabong on selected kimberlite targets in 2007.  As none of the known Tsabong
kimberlites have been evaluated on an adequate scale or using modern techniques,
a detailed evaluation programme will be undertaken concurrently with the planned
exploration programme.  Approximately 6,000 metres of 80 mm diameter core
drilling is planned on the 7 highest priority diamondiferous kimberlites during
2007.


For further information:

Philip Kenny, Firestone Diamonds          +44 20 8834 1028 / +44 7831 324 645
Laurence Read/Joss Simson, Conduit PR     +44 20 7429 6600 / +44 7979 955 923
Jamie Cumming, Bell Lawrie                +44 141 314 8103 / +44 7768 044 620


                           www.firestonediamonds.com



Background information on Firestone Diamonds plc:

Firestone Diamonds plc is an international diamond mining and exploration
company with operations in the Namaqualand region of South Africa, Botswana and
the United States.

Firestone has extensive interests in Botswana, which is the world's largest
producer of diamonds, with annual production of approximately 30 million carats
worth over $2.5 billion.  Botswana is considered to be one of the best countries
in the world to explore for kimberlite - the primary source rock for diamonds.
Firestone's Mopipi, Orapa and Jwaneng projects are located close to the major
Orapa and Jwaneng mines and are all being explored by De Beers in joint venture
with Firestone.  Firestone is also exploring for kimberlite in the US on the
Laurentia craton, which extends into Canada, where it hosts a number of
diamondiferous kimberlite deposits.

Namaqualand, which is located on the west coast of South Africa, has been one of
the world's largest alluvial diamond producing regions for the past 60 years,
with total production to date estimated to be worth more than $3 billion.
Firestone's mining operations in Namaqualand include the Bonte Koe, Avontuur and
Oena Mines, all of which produce high quality alluvial diamonds, and a growing
portfolio of early stage and advanced exploration projects, of which the Groen
River Valley project, which is being explored by De Beers in joint venture with
Firestone, is the most important.

Firestone has a highly qualified management team with extensive experience in
the exploration, evaluation and development of diamond projects.  Firestone is
quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange
and trades under the symbol FDI.L.

Note: The information in this statement has been reviewed by Mr. Tim Wilkes, B
Sc, Pr Sci Nat, who is a qualified person for the purposes of the AIM Guidance
Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.  Mr. Wilkes is Chief Operating Officer
of Firestone Diamonds plc and has over 25 years experience in diamond
exploration, mineral resource management and mining.  Mr. Wilkes is a member of
the sub-committee for diamonds of the South African Mineral Resource Committee
(SAMREC).



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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