4 September 2012

Orapa Prospecting Licence Update

Botswana Diamonds plc (AIM: BOD) ("Botswana Diamonds") is pleased to provide an update on the work being performed on licence PL170/2012 in the Orapa area of Botswana.  The licence awarded earlier this year covers 262.6 square kilometres and lies 70 kilometres to the southwest of the giant Debswana owned Orapa diamond mine.  The ground lies within the area generally considered to contain the Orapa kimberlite cluster.

A detailed analysis has been completed on available information involving high resolution aeromagnetic data, ground geophysics and mineral chemistry.  Twelve targets have been identified of which five are top priority.  Detailed ground magnetic and gravity surveys and a follow up percussion drilling programme will commence shortly.  The entire programme is expected to be completed within six months.  The licence is wholly owned by Botswana Diamonds and is separate to the ongoing joint venture with a major international resource company.  Preliminary results from this joint venture are positive.  A detailed report will be issued in the near future.

John Teeling, Chairman, commented:

"The new licence, PL170/2012 is proving to be as good as we hoped.  We have outlined twelve targets on the ground of which five look particularly interesting.  We are mobilising crews to undertake ground surveys on these five to identify drilling targets.  The ground work, modelling and drilling will be completed within six months."

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This release has been approved by Benjamin Mosigi, MSc (Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology), who is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa.

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Enquiries:

Botswana Diamonds PLC

John Teeling, Chairman                                      +353 1 833 2833

Westhouse Securities Limited

Richard Baty                                                     +44 (0)20 7601 6100

Petre Norton

Blythe Weigh Communications                                 +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Tim Blythe                                                                          +44 (0) 7816 924626

Paul Weigh                                                                         +44 (0) 7919 050828

Robert Kellner  +44 (0) 7800 554377

Pembroke Communications

David O'Siochain                                                +353 1 649 6486

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