Irish AIM-listed company Botswana Diamonds has been awarded a 430 sq km exploration licence in Cameroon.

The licence covers an area of paleo-placer conglomerate identified during reconnaissance of the company's 8,087 sq km Libongo licence.

The exploration licence is valid for four years with the option to renew for further four year periods.

A bulk sampling programme to determine diamond potential is planned for the coming months, the company said.

In the Orapa region of Botswana, the company has extended the licence which contains the kimberlites AK8, AK9 and BK5 until the end of June 2012.

Bulk sampling on AK8 and BK5 has been completed while a review of data on AK9 in underway. The renewal of a second licence is being reviewed by government officials and applications for further exploration licences have been submitted.

In Zimbabwe, Botswana Diamonds said it is to carry out a small sampling programme on seven claims located southeast of the Rio Tinto Murowa Mine.

Entrepreneur John Teeling s increased his holding in the firm in June, acquiring a further 1 per cent stake in the company.

The chairman's stake in the firm now stands at 9.44 per cent.