Irish exploration company Botswana Diamonds has commenced work to find new diamond bearing kimberlites and future diamond mines in the Orapa region of Botswana, with drilling expected to start before the end of March.

The company said its geologists have completed the advance work and procured the necessary equipment. The geologists of its joint venture partner, Alrosa, will join them on licence PL117 in the Orapa area in the coming weeks.

The joint venture team will carry out further soil sampling, geophysical and geochemical work to define exact drill targets, with drilling expected to commence before the end of March.

The licence is just 2.9 sq km and is located near the Karowe diamond mine. AIM-listed Botswana Diamonds previously discovered diamondiferous kimberlite in the same licence area in 2004.

"I am very pleased to be able to announce that the work on the highly prospective PL117 target has commenced, and look forward to the Alrosa geologists joining the Botswana team shortly," Botswana Diamonds chairman John Teeling said.

“We are very hopeful that we will be able to improve on what was found previously. Indications are good and it is the top target identified by Alrosa,” he added.