9 Nov 2015 07:00
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO US NEWS WIRE SERVICES.
9 November 2015
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" of the "Company")
SIERRA LEONE DECLARED EBOLA-FREE
Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed (AIM: STEL) diamond development company focused on West Africa, welcomes the announcement made by the World Health Organisation on Saturday 7 November 2015 that Sierra Leone is Ebola-free after going 42 days without any new infections. The Company, which is in the process of preparing the submission for its mining licence for the Tongo kimberlite diamond project in Sierra Leone ('Tongo' or the 'Project'), remains committed to supporting the recovery of Sierra Leone and the wider West African region.
Chief Executive Karl Smithson commented:
"Sierra Leone's status as Ebola-free is a huge achievement for both the country and the people who supported the fight against the virus; we would like to congratulate the resilience and dedication shown by all those involved.
"Stellar has also played its part in the fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone and Guinea and through various initiatives has contributed to the well-being and protection of its employees and local communities.
"The Company will continue to support Sierra Leone and Guinea through ongoing project development. The Tongo project is moving through the mining licence application stage and hopefully towards mine development, which will create both extensive employment and numerous community development opportunities that will significantly contribute towards the post-Ebola economic recovery in Sierra Leone. We note that whilst Ebola cases remain in Guinea these are dwindling and we hope that in the near future the virus can be fully eradicated from both Guinea and the West African region as a whole."
**ENDS**
For further information contact the following or visit the Company's website at www.stellar-diamonds.com.
Karl Smithson, CEO Philip Knowles, CFO | Stellar Diamonds plc Stellar Diamonds plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7010 7686 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7010 7686 |
Martin Lampshire Emma Earl Jo Turner | Daniel Stewart & Company plc (Broker) Cairn Financial Advisers (Nomad) | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 6550 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7148 7900 |
Lottie Brocklehurst | St Brides Partners Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236 1177 |
Charlotte Heap | (Financial PR) | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236 1177 |
About Stellar Diamonds plc
Stellar is an AIM quoted (AIM: STEL) West African focused diamond development company which is continuing trial mine evaluation of its Baoulé kimberlite in Guinea, and is progressing the 1.45 million carat Tongo Dyke-1 resource through the mining licence application process. In addition, Stellar holds the 3 million carat Droujba project in Guinea and continues to pursue channels to ensure the proper reinstatement of its Kono licences in Sierra Leone.