Stornoway Diamond Corporation (TSX:SWY), BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. (BHP Billiton) and Hunter Exploration Group are pleased to report additional microdiamond results from surface material collected from kimberlites AV5, 6, 7 and 8 during the summer 2005 Aviat Project field program on the Melville Peninsula, Nunavut. Caustic fusion analysis of surface samples totaling 71.7 kg of the AV5 kimberlite body has yielded 161 diamonds, 74.1 kg of AV6 returned 123 diamonds, 70.6 kg of AV7 returned 108 diamonds and 62.7 kg of AV8 has yielded 70 stones.
The largest stones retrieved from AV5, 6, 7 and 8 to date (in mm) are 2.076x1.908x1.183, 1.324x 1.654x0.522, 1.114x0.995x0.245, and 1.054x0.571x0.551 respectively.
Detailed sieve data is reported below and represents the total diamond counts from each kimberlite, adding recent results to previously reported tallies.
Eira Thomas, President and CEO commented: "To date we have identified a cluster of nine kimberlite bodies within a confined area. All are significantly diamondiferous, with early stage microdiamond distribution curves that are amongst the best in Canada. These results, in conjunction with several excellent, un-sourced, high interest mineral trains from elsewhere on the property continue to highlight the economic potential of Aviat".
Caustic fusion results from approximately 50-60kg of kimberlite from each of two new boulder occurrences thought to be derived from unrelated and as yet undiscovered source bodies within the 70km long Tremblay indicator mineral corridor (host to kimberlites AV1 through 8 and many un-sourced high interest mineral trains), are due before the end of January. Larger kimberlite samples (approximately two tonnes) collected from surface exposures of AV6, 7 and 8 will be processed through a dense media separation facility, with macrodiamond results expected in Q1 2006. Similar sized (several tonnes) samples of kimberlite collected at surface from each of AV2, 3, 4 and 5 will also be processed by dense media separation.
Stornoway holds varying interests, both directly and through 18 joint ventures, in 33 Canadian mineral properties representing 22.6 million acres of ground. Stornoway has been involved in the discovery of 61 kimberlites since 2002. To date; 51 of 61 have been analyzed and more than one third have proven diamondiferous. During 2005 SWY operated exploration programs on 24 properties (12 million acres) and our joint venture partners explored nine properties (10.6 million acres). In addition to work on our landholdings, Stornoway also undertook generative programs covering over 250 million acres in northern Canada. Partial results available to date from this 2005 generative exploration program have already been used to identify and acquire targeted landholdings thought to have the potential to host diamondiferous kimberlites. Additional results are pending and Stornoway anticipates continued property acquisition.
Caustic fusion analysis was carried out at Microlithics Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario, an independent mineral process laboratory currently providing services exclusively to Stornoway and its affiliates. Stornoway's diamond exploration programs are conducted under the direction of Robin Hopkins, P.Geol. (NT/NU), a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
On behalf of the Board
STORNOWAY DIAMOND CORPORATION
/s/ "Eira Thomas"
Eira Thomas
President