Sunrise Res Regulatory News (SRES)

30 Oct 2007 10:17

Sunrise Diamonds PLC30 October 2007 Sunrise Diamonds plc http://www.sunrisediamonds.com OCTOBER 30, 2007 SUNRISE DIAMONDS NEARLY DOUBLES SIZE OF KIMBERLITE 14 IN DRILLING THREE PRIORITYKIMBERLITES IN FINLAND • 200kg Samples Shipped From Each of Three Pipes For Micro-Diamond Testing • Drilling Programme Result Of Reinterpretation of Historic Results • Kimberlite Indicator Sampling Currently In Progress On 9 Other Targets Sunrise Diamonds plc (AIM:SDS) ("Sunrise Diamonds" or "the Company") is pleasedto announce that it has now completed drilling on three priority kimberlites inthe Company's Nordic Diamonds Joint Venture claim areas in the Kaavi-Kuopioregion of central Finland where it is earning up to a 75% interest from Canada'sNordic Diamonds Inc. Samples of approx. 200kg have been collected from each kimberlite body and havenow been sent to SGS Laboratories in South Africa for micro-diamond extractionby caustic dissolution. Dissolution concentrates from these samples will then besent to Mineral Services Laboratories in South Africa for micro-diamond picking,diamond weighing and characterisation and, where possible, grade modelling. The drill programme successfully sampled Kimberlites 10, 14 and 17 which wereselected following encouraging mineral chemistry results, a reinterpretation ofhistoric exploration results and based on the recommendations of MineralServices Canada Inc, consultants to Sunrise Diamonds. The Company is also pleased to advise that its drilling has demonstrated asubstantial increase in size of Kimberlite 14 as well as the potential forfurther increases. Although historic drilling did not define the limits of thiskimberlite, it has been previously thought to be small as the associated groundmagnetic anomaly covered an area of only 0.35ha. However, a step out drill hole completed by Sunrise Diamonds as part of therecently completed programme shows that Kimberlite 14 extends to the northbeyond the limits of the associated ground magnetic anomaly. Here the kimberlitehas a lower ground magnetic response, appears to be wider and remains open alongstrike to the north. It also remains open to the south and at depth fromhistoric drilling and is now estimated to have a minimum surface area of 0.65ha. The shape of Kimberlite 14 is consistent with that of a thick dyke suggesting itmight have a significant strike length and tonnage potential. If diamondsampling results from this kimberlite are favourable further drilling will becarried out to fully delineate the body. The results of diamond picking are expected within 2-3 months. The sampling of the Nordic JV kimberlites is part of a wider programme ofongoing exploration throughout the diamond prospective areas of Finland wherethe Company is building on its exclusive access to the BHP Billiton explorationdatabase for that country. In its most recent geochemical sampling programme 142basal till samples have been collected from 9 different target areas. Resultsare expected before year end. The Company has also completed a detailed review to characterise the geophysicalexpression of all known kimberlites in the Kaavi Kuopio kimberlite clustersbased on extensive airborne and ground geophysical survey data contained in theBHP Billiton database. As a result a contract has been let to a Canadianconsultant geophysicist to define similar targets within the database fortesting in the Company's 2007/2008 winter drill programme. Further Information: Patrick Cheetham, Sunrise Diamonds plc. Tel: +44 (0)1625-505947. Mobile: +44 (0)7767-458751 John Greenhalgh/Ron Marshman, City of London PR Ltd. Tel: +44 ( 0)20-7628-5518 Brett Miller/Roxane Marffy, Ruegg & Co Limited. Tel: +44(0) 20 7584 3663 The information in this release has been compiled and reviewed by Mr. PatrickCheetham (MIMMM, MAusIMM) who is a qualified person for the purposes of the AIMGuidance Note for Mining Oil & Gas Companies issued on March 16, 2006. MrCheetham is a Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining and also amember of the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy. http://www.sunrisediamonds.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange