REG-Karelian Diamond Resources Plc: Update on drilling programme at Kuhmo

Karelian Diamond ResourcesAnnouncement

23/04/2026 07:00

 
 

 



 

Karelian Diamond Resources plc

("Karelian Diamonds" or "the Company")

23 April 2026

 

INITIAL REVIEW INDICATES POSITIVE RESULTS FROM DRILLING AT ANOMALY 5
*                        Winter drilling programme completed at Anomaly 5
diamond target, Kuhmo, Finland
 
*                        Probable olivine lamproite breccia intersected in two
drillholes
 
*                        Diagnostic rock types in drill core indicate
proximity to olivine lamproite intrusive complex
 

Karelian Diamond Resources PLC (AIM: KDR), the diamond and natural resources
exploration company focused on Finland and Ireland, is pleased to provide an
update on its drilling programme at the Anomaly 5 diamond target, located
within the Company's Kuhmo project area in eastern Finland.

The Company has completed a three-hole drill programme, totalling c.334
metres, at its Anomaly 5 target in Kuhmo. Under an exceptionally thick (35
metres) layer of overburden, two drillholes intersected rock material
provisionally interpreted to be olivine lamproite, a rock type associated with
diamond-bearing kimberlite provinces globally, including the world-class
Argyle and Ellendale diamond mines.

The intersections of olivine lamproite were made in drill hole KD-26-02 at a
depth of approximately 73.40 - 81.40 metres, within an interval of 8 metres,
and drill hole KD-26-03 at a depth of approximately 42.90 - 46.80 metres,
within an interval of 3.9 metres. The latter hole started with highly
weathered olivine lamproite straight from the bedrock surface. All of the
olivine lamproite intersected occurs as breccia and is highly altered.        
  

Doctor Hugh O'Brien, kimberlite expert and consultant to the Company,
commented:

"Identical variegated red brick and blue-green coloured clay-rich breccias
were dominant in dike intersections from Joutensuo, roughly 30 km to the
North-Northwest along the same or parallel structures in drill core from a
previous drilling program now held at the GTK Loppi drill core repository.
Additional drilling during that programme adjacent to the breccias, produced
coherent olivine lamproite packed with mantle material.                       
        

Furthermore, our experience with diagnostic rock types at the Company's
Seitaperä project, an olivine lamproite blow, which also occur in these
Anomaly 5 breccias, including granularized granite (essentially a
pseudosandstone formed by the explosive force of gases released during
emplacement of the gas-rich lamproite magma) and crackle breccias developed as
a profusion of anastomosing calcite veinlets in the granitic country rocks,
allow us to infer the present drill programme is on the peripheries of a
larger intrusive system".

Next steps will include a limited ground electromagnetic geophysical survey to
better define the conductive signature developed due to the abundant clays
shed from the breccias visible from the GTK (the Geological Survey of Finland)
regional aero geophysical data. This will allow for more precise control of
drill targeting once conditions permit mobilisation of the drill rig. A test
drill hole under the lake at the head of the A5 anomaly will be a priority.

Continued work on this project is warranted based on the exceptional
compositions of the mantle minerals in the A5 kimberlite indicator mineral
train, indicative of sampling from a wide diamond-window in the mantle, and
the previously announced and described green diamond discovery.

Drill core samples are being prepared for detailed petrographic and
geochemical analysis to formally classify the material and assess its
diamond-bearing potential. Discovery of several picroilmenite xenocrysts in
the altered lamproite (see photo) provide strong evidence that this or closely
related intrusions could be the source of the Anomaly 5 indicator mineral
train.



The drillholes were targeted in a swampy area only accessible in winter, to
test a diatreme-shaped electromagnetic anomaly previously identified in a
semi-airborne electromagnetic survey by the Company (as announced by the
Company on 24 January 2025), up-ice of the existing kimberlite indicator
mineral train and the green diamond previously discovered in glacial till by
the Company. The semi-airborne electromagnetic anomaly was most likely due to
the exceptionally thick overburden and the clays found in the breccia. The
drilling occurred very close to a lake, which has yet to be tested and lies at
the head of the kimberlite indicator mineral train.

The current drill programme has concluded prematurely due to the early onset
of the spring thaw.

Maureen Jones, Managing Director of Karelian Diamond Resources plc, commented:

"The intersection of what appears to be lamproite rock at Anomaly 5 is a
significant and encouraging development for the Company. Olivine lamproite is
a rock type of considerable interest in diamond exploration and combined with
the exceptional compositions of the mantle minerals we have identified within
the A5 indicator train, gives us confidence that we are close to a potentially
diamondiferous olivine lamproite intrusive complex."

This release has been approved by Kevin McNulty PGeo, who is a member of the
Company's technical staff and holds a BSc/MSc in Geology and Remote Sensing,
in accordance with the guidance note for Mining, Oil & Gas Companies issued by
the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM Companies, which outlines
standards of disclosure for mineral projects.

 

Further Information:

 Karelian Diamond Resources plc  Brendan McMorrow, Chairman / Maureen Jones, Managing Director  +353-1-479-6180   
 Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad)  Nick Athanas / Nick Harriss                                   +44-20-3328-5656  
 AlbR Capital Limited  Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey                                             +44-20-7469-0930  
 Lothbury Financial Services  Michael Padley                                                    +44-20-3290-0707  
 Hall Communications  Don Hall                                                                  +353-1-660-9377   

http://www.kareliandiamondresources.com

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