:: Diamond Processing Commences at De Beers Tailings JV, South Africa

Dwyka Diamonds, the AIM and ASX quoted diamond developer and producer, has announced that processing of tailings for diamond extraction has commenced from the De Beers Kimberley dumps, South Africa. The first ore was processed on 21 April 2006 and regular ore deliveries from De Beers have commenced from the surrounding tailings dumps.

The first ore flowed smoothly through the plant and the benefits of capacity enhancements undertaken during construction have been immediately obvious. These enhancements should enable the operation to shortly realise its first benchmark of 50,000 tonnes per month of throughput. Commissioning of components downstream of the ore preparation circuit will take place progressively as the plant fills with process slurry.

A limited amount of mechanical work remains to be completed in the diamond recovery area. This is largely restricted to x-ray sorting equipment. An automated grease belt has been installed and is operational. Completion of the recovery section will coincide with the filling of concentrate surge capacity between the dense media separation section and the recovery section.