The company, which has operations in Botswana and South Africa, noted that the independent data review it carried out concluded that there are "real chances of discovering an economic, large-sized diamondiferous kimberlite" at Tsabong where the initial MK1 grade estimate is for 20 carats per 100 tonnes. "Activities during the period were primarily focused on Botswana, which is the world's largest and lowest cost producer of diamonds. The most significant development during the period has been at the MK1 kimberlite in the Tsabong kimberlite field where results from initial evaluation work carried out have exceeded our expectations and show significant economic potential.
"We have continued to increase the pace of our activities in Botswana, with between twenty five and thirty 100 tonne mini-bulk samples planned in 2008. We believe that it is likely that further major economic diamond discoveries will be made in Botswana," said Firestone Chairman James Kenny, in a six-month interim statement to 31 December 2007.
