Southstone Minerals Limited announced that diamond production commenced on schedule at the majority owned Oena Diamond Mine ("Oena"), South Africa on the 7 November 2023. The recovery unit, a Bourevestnik X-Ray Unit ("BVX"), has been commissioned and now certified for operation on site. Oena will operate 24 hours a day 6 days a week with a production target of 3000 to 3500 tonnes per day of run of mine ("ROM") which will then be screened and feed to two sixteen-foot pan plants.

Mining of ROM commenced in July 2023 at the Sandberg Section with material having been processed and stockpiled for diamond recovery in the BVX. Two additional contractors are on schedule to mobilize early in 2024 as previously reported. Oena is managed by Southstone and is responsible for diamond sales, operational and mining consultation with the contractor, mining license reporting requirements and security.

The Company maintains a management and security team in South Africa including the CEO of African Star Minerals and a Oena Operational Site Manager. The Company CEO along with an external geological consultant provide operational support for internal reporting of Oena mining operation activities and provide geological support to the operations team and contractor. The Company is currently evaluating an exploration and mining work program development plan of both the Kabies and Visrivier Sections of the Oena mining license which have received only a preliminary evaluation in the past.

Since acquisition by the Company, Oena has produced 8,554 carats with an average stone size of 2.01 carats and average sales price of USD 1,626 per carat. Oena produces a significant number of Specials, diamonds greater than 10.8 carats, with over 40% of the Specials valued at > USD 5,000 per carat being produced from Sandberg.