Sapphire Marketing JV Signed

RNS Number:3438Y
Van Dieman Mines plc
14 June 2007


                              VAN DIEMAN MINES PLC

                    Sapphire Marketing Joint Venture Signed

Van Dieman Mines plc ("Van Dieman" or "The Company"), the AIM listed mining
company which is developing tin and sapphire mines in Tasmania, Australia
announces it has recently entered into a joint venture agreement in relation to
the marketing of all its gem product from its Scotia and Endurance mining
operations, in north east Tasmania, Australia.

The joint venture between the Company and Columbia Gem House, Inc (CGH) is to
operate through a Limited Liability Company, V Columbia owned 50% by each party.

CGH is contracted to V.Columbia to handle all cutting, heat treating or
processing functions required by V.Columbia. Gem materials covered under this
arrangement will include sapphire, topaz, zircon and other crystalline materials
recovered from the Company's mining operations which are expected to begin
during the second half of the year. The Company's mining operations and Columbia
Gem House, Inc.'s cutting operation meet all of the Columbia Gem House, Inc.'s
fair trade and environmental protocols.

CGH continues in association with Crystal Chemistry, a specialist gem treatment
group operated by Dr. J. Emmett of Vancouver, Washington, USA, to conduct gem
testing and treatment protocols in relation to the Company's gem product, in
particular the sapphire component.

Sales and marketing of black spinel, one of the Company's gemstone products,
commenced at the Las Vegas Jewelry Show, May 31 to June 4, 2007. In relation to
this product CGH has completed a number of innovative jewellery designs using
the Company's black spinel gem product and has presented these at the American
Gem Trader's Association (AGTA) Las Vegas Gem Show. All eighteen new designs
have been produced using spinel as the featured gem. CGH has also commenced
cutting spinel material to satisfy anticipated orders resulting from the Las
Vegas Show and from other marketing programmes already underway.

Clive Trist, Managing Director commented:

"This is another major step forward for the Company. As we await final and
formal approval to commence mining, which is expected shortly, we now have
agreements in place covering the sale of all the expected tin production and the
marketing of the gem stones. These agreements allow us to move forward with
confidence as we begin mining operations.

A copy of the CGH Joint Venture announcement to the Las Vegas Gem Show can be
viewed on the Company's web site at www.vandiemanmines.com.

                                                                   14 June, 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



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