AMI.L Regulatory News (AMI)

23 Jul 2007 07:00

Sierra Leone Diamond Company Ld23 July 2007 For immediate release 23 July 2007 Sierra Leone Diamond Company Limited ("SLDC" or "the Company") Board Change Sierra Leone Diamond Company Limited (AIM:SLD), the diamond and mineralexploration and production company with interests focussed on the country ofSierra Leone, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Roy Pitchford as anindependent Non-Executive Director, effective 23 July 2007. Mr. Roy Pitchford, aged 56, has over 20 years' senior management and executiveexperience in Southern Africa, 13 years of which have been in the miningindustry. Roy qualified as a chartered accountant in Zimbabwe and is a Fellow ofboth the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and UK Institute ofDirectors. He was CEO of Cluff Resources Zimbabwe Limited, Delta Gold Zimbabwe(Pty) Limited and Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Limited. He is also a past presidentof the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe. Roy was closely involved in developingZimplats and creating a company with a PGM resource base in excess of 300million ounces. More recently as CEO, he was integral in building AfricanPlatinum Plc. Mr. Pitchford's appointment is an important step in the planned strengthening ofthe Board as the Company accelerates the implementation of its long termstrategy to become a diversified minerals producer in Africa. This strategy isfurther reflected in the Company's proposal to change its name to AfricanMinerals Limited for which shareholder approval will be sought at a SpecialGeneral Meeting convened for 27 July 2007. The Company also announces that, effective 23 July 2007, Mr. Francesco Scolarowill be stepping down from the Board due to other business commitments. Commenting on the Board changes, Mr. Frank Timis, Executive Chairman of SLDCsaid: "Roy Pitchford has substantial City experience and an acknowledged track recordin adding shareholder value to companies in the junior mining sector. We lookforward to the benefit of Roy's expertise and strategic counsel as we seek tobuild a substantial diversified mineral business over the coming years." "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Frank Scolaro for hiscontribution to SLDC. Frank's commitment to the Company during its rapid growthhas been considerable and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours." There is no information in relation to Mr. Pitchford's appointment requiredpursuant to Schedule 2 paragraph (g) of the AIM rules for Companies other thanas follows: Current Directorships Central African Gold plc; Sabi Gold Limited; Lesego Platinum Mining (Pty)Limited; Hartley Minerals Zimbabwe Pty Limited; Tau Mining Pty Limited Past Directorships Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Limited; African Platinum Plc; Southern AfricanResources Limited; Lead International (UK) Limited; Mimic Mining UK Limited;Mimic Mining (Pvt.) Limited; Afplats (Pty) Limited; Inkosi (Pty) Limited; Imbasa(Pty) Limited; Chaperone Manufacturing (Pvt.) Limited; Hartley Platinum Mines(Pvt.) Limited; Mhondoro Mining Company Limited; Mhondoro Platinum HoldingsLimited; Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Pvt.) Limited; Zimplats Corporate Services(Pvt.) Limited Enquiries: Sierra Leone Diamond Company Tel: +44 (0) 20 7849 3002Frank TimisJamie Alpen Canaccord Adams Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7050 6500Mark AshurstMike Jones Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: +44 (0) 20 7638 9571Media enquiries: Martin Jackson / Kate DelahuntyAnalyst enquiries: Scott Fulton Notes to Editors Since its admission to AIM in 2005 the Company's activities in Sierra Leone havedeveloped beyond diamond exploration and production. In addition to the iron oreprojects at Tonkolili and Marampa, the Company has for the past two years beenundertaking a countrywide, multi element analysis of stream and till sediments,primarily to determine sources of diamonds. However, as a result of thisprogramme, the Company has located several sites which offer the potential forthe discovery of precious, base and minor metals. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange