VDM Van Dieman

RNS Number:9691T
Van Dieman Mines plc
11 November 2005


(AIM:VDM)
                              VAN DIEMAN MINES PLC

 Van Dieman Mines announces start-up of its pilot plant in Tasmania, Australia

Van Dieman Mines plc ("the Company") announced today that its pilot treatment
plant has commenced operations on its tenements in Tasmania and that the first
parcel of mine rough sapphire has been produced.
Highlights

  * The pilot plant programme has been designed to produce representative
    samples of mine rough sapphire for sorting, grading and cutting by the
    Company's laboratories in the USA. The cut stone samples will then form the
    basis for initial marketing programmes to the major jewellery buyers in the
    USA.


  * The plant will also produce representative samples of tin concentrate
    for pre-production evaluation by the Company's contracted smelter,
    Thaisarco, prior to planned full scale production next year.


  * Although very heavy and unseasonal rains have delayed earthworks and
    processing, bulk samples have been excavated at two sites, specifically at:

-         Weld River - one sample of approximately 100 cubic metres has been
excavated. Spinel and sapphire are visible on the heaps and panning indicates
the presence of fine to medium grained cassiterite.

- Frome River- two samples measuring approximately 100 cubic metres each have
been excavated and stockpiled. This alluvial wash is free running and sandy.
Spinel and sapphire are visible on both stockpiles and one 10mm sapphire has
been picked from one heap.

Commenting on this latest development, Clive Trist, Managing Director, said:

"We are very pleased to see the pilot plant operating successfully in the field.
This represents another important step towards the development of profitable
production and marketing of the Company's mineral products".

                                                               11 November, 2005

                        For more information
Clive Trist, Van Dieman Mines                          Tel: +61(0) 2 9264 0433
E-mail: ctrist@vandiemanmines.com

Laurence Read/ Leesa Peters, Conduit PR                Tel: +44(0) 20 79369095/
                                                            +44 (0) 7979955 923
                                                 E-mail: laurence@conduitpr.com



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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