Rockwell acquires 74% of H C Van

Rockwell Diamonds Inc. has taken ownership of 74% of H C Van Wyk Diamonds Limited and Klipdam Diamond Mining Company Limited (collectively referred to as VWDG) effective March 01, 2008.

Pursuant to an agreement originally announced in June 2006 with Durnpike Investments (Pty) Limited, its listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange end November 2007, and the recent issue of Rockwell shares to H C Van Wyk, Rockwell has now assumed ownership of 74% of its underlying VWDG assets.

VWDG is the holder of the mineral rights and operator of three alluvial mining operations located at Wouterspan on the Middle Orange River, and at Holpan, and Klipdam north of Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. VWDG also holds the rights to the Makoenskloof bulk sampling project on the Middle Orange River, and other mineral rights that host diamond bearing gravel deposits in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.

The initial acquisition of VWDG in late 2006 was structured as a part cash (to earn a controlling 51%), and part share (to acquire an additional 23%) transaction, enabling Rockwell to achieve an overall interest of 74%. The balance, an effective 26% interest, is being acquired by its empowerment partner under the terms of South Africa’s Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act.

Due to foreign exchange controls imposed by the South African Reserve Bank (”SARB”), the issue of shares to H C Van Wyk to finalize the acquisition of VWDG could only occur once Rockwell had completed its JSE inward listing. The terms of the original transaction structure involving the inward listing of Rockwell onto the JSE, the appropriate Exchange Agreement being concluded, and the concomitant issue of shares to H C Van Wyk according to TSX and JSE rules have now been fulfilled.

Rockwell President and CEO, John Bristow, commented, that the achievement of 74% ownership of H C Van Wyk Diamonds Limited and Klipdam Diamond Mining Company Limited is positive in the sense that Rockwell and its shareholders now accrue 74% of the revenue stream. The operations held in this key subsidiary continue to produce an exceptional range of gem diamonds with tender sales over the past 14 months yielding sales prices that rank amongst the highest value rough diamonds in the world. Hence, this is another important step in the Company’s strategy to acquire and expand its ownership of producing diamond assets, transforming Rockwell into a mid-tier diamond producer with a focus on unique high value gemstones.

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