Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Limited has identified high category rating diamondiferous kimberlite indicator minerals in the samples collected by Karelian Diamond Resources plc close to the kimberlite body discovered in the Rihiivaara area of the Kuhmo region of Finland.

Karelian has a Confidentiality Agreement (with back in rights) with Rio Tinto.

Rio Tinto made the identification at its Melbourne Laboratories using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), during tests carried out on samples provided by Karelian. The samples were collected within 100 metres of the kimberlite body discovered by Karelian in Rihiivaara. The presence of diamondiferous kimberlite indicator minerals together with the discovery nearby of the kimberlite body enhances the diamond potential of the area.

Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman said, “These are truly excellent results that confirm the potential within the target area, in particular the presence of the G10(D) Garnets which have proven to be positive indicators of diamonds in the past. As a result we remain very confident that the hard work by both Rio Tinto and our team will lead to an important new discovery.”