Progress with Permitting

RNS Number:9310R
Van Dieman Mines plc
27 February 2007

                              VAN DIEMAN MINES PLC

                  Progress with Permitting & Treatment Plants

Van Dieman Mines plc ("Van Dieman" or "the Company"), the AIM-listed mining
company which is developing tin and sapphire mines in Tasmania, announces that,
following completion of the public exhibition process of its Development
Proposal & Environmental Management Plan (DPEMP) for the Scotia mine, there have
been no representations from the public and that no issues were raised by the
Dorset Council. Comments on the project were received from a number of State
Government agencies and the Company has answered these in a supplement to the
DPEMP which was lodged with the Department of Tourism, Arts and Environment
(DTAE) on 6 February, 2007.

The Tasmanian Board of Environmental Management and Pollution Control will
consider the DPEMP at its monthly Board meeting and will advise the Company and
the Dorset Council of their decision.

Upon receipt of the Board of Environmental Management and Pollution Control
approval documents, the Dorset Council has indicated it is prepared to convene a
special Council meeting to approve the Development Application for mining to
commence.

The Board will continue to update shareholders as soon as any further
developments occur and hope to be in a position to provide a further update by
the end of March.

The Tin Shed Treatment Plant has been shipped from the USA and two of the four
containers have arrived in Australia with the balance due mid March. This plant
will now be assembled in the Tin Shed in readiness for commissioning. The Main
Treatment Plant is being held at the manufacturer's premises in the USA pending
permitting approval when it will be shipped direct to the Scotia mine site for
assembly and commissioning.

Clive Trist, Managing Director commented:

"We have been understandably disappointed by the additional delay to our project
raised by the requirement to prepare a supplement to the DPEMP, particularly
since the answers to most of the comments received from government agencies were
contained in the original DPEMP document and its appendices. However, in the
interests of moving forward with minimal delay, the Company and its consultants
worked continuously through the Christmas /New Year period to prepare and lodge
the Supplement at the beginning of February."

"It is pleasing to see the arrival of the Tin Shed Treatment Plant, major items
of the earthmoving fleet, the fresh water and tailings piping for the main
treatment plant as part of the build up of plant and equipment in readiness for
the Scotia mine start up once permitting is finally granted."

27 February, 2007

ENQUIRIES:

VAN DIEMAN MINES plc                  Tel: [phone]
Clive Trist, Managing Director        Email: [e-mail]

GRANT THORNTON CORPORATE FINANCE      Tel: [phone]
Fiona Owen

BANKSIDE CONSULTANTS                  Tel: [phone]
Michael Padley / Daniela Hale

Editors' Note

Van Dieman Mines is developing tin and sapphire mines in north east Tasmania
where the Company holds several leases. The Scotia and Endurance mines are
expected to be in production during the second half of 2007. A pilot plant has
been operating in tenements close to and adjoining the Scotia lease since
November 2005. The plant has produced mine run corundum including sapphire and
associated semi precious gem material including topaz, zircon and spinel for
evaluation by the Company's contracted laboratory in the US.

A six-year contract was signed in July 2005 with tin smelter and refiner,
Thaisarco (an Amalgamated Metal Corporation plc subsidiary), for the offtake of
the Company's entire tin concentrate output of 1,350-1,500 tonnes contained tin
per year at prevailing LME prices. In addition, an agreement has been signed
with a well known and highly respected US jewellery and gem stone marketer to
market the sapphire production, and the potential market for the spinel gemstone
by-product is continuing to be evaluated. The initial marketing for both
products is now well advanced and the Company is, following representations at
the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in Arizona, USA preparing a release
detailing marketing progress.

The Department of Tourism, Arts and Environment is the Tasmanian government
department that oversees and administers the DPEMP process on behalf of the
Tasmanian Board of Environmental Management and Pollution Control who ultimately
issue certification or refusal on all Development Project Applications.






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