TRANS HEX - PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 3, 1999
RESULTS OF NAMIBIAN ARBITRATION

TORONTO, CANADA - TRANS HEX INTERNATIONAL LTD. (TSE: THI) IS PLEASED TO REPORT
THAT ON JANUARY 27, 1999 THE MINERALS ANCILLARY RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE
NAMIBIAN MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY RELEASED ITS JUDGEMENT IN THE NORTHBANK
DIAMONDS' APPLICATION FOR ARBITRATION IN RESPECT OF DISPUTED RIGHTS OF ACCESS
TO THE AUSSENKEHR FARM. THE JUDGEMENT GRANTS NORTHBANK THE RIGHT TO ENTER UPON
THE AUSSENKEHR FARM IN ORDER TO CONTINUE EXPLORATION AS AUTHORIZED IN TERMS OF
ITS EXCLUSIVE PROSPECTING LICENSE ("EPL") 2101, AND THE RIGHT TO ERECT SUCH
ANCILLARY WORKS AS ARE NECESSARY FOR THESE OPERATIONS. THE LEVEL OF

COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO THE OWNER OF THE FARM HAS BEEN DETERMINED AT N$2,500
(C$625) PER MONTH. THE FARM OWNER HAS UNTIL CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON FRIDAY,
FEBRUARY 5, 1999 TO EITHER LODGE AN APPEAL AGAINST THIS ORDER OR TO REQUEST A
JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE ORDER.

NORTHBANK DIAMONDS LIMITED IS A JOINT VENTURE COMPANY IN WHICH THE COMPANY HAS
A 50% INTEREST AND MANAGEMENT OF THE EXPLORATION PROGRAM. EPL 2101 IS CURRENTLY
VALID TO APRIL 25, 2000 WITH A RIGHT OF RENEWAL TO APRIL 25, 2002. THE COMPANY
IS PROCEEDING TO UPDATE ITS WORK PROGRAM AND BUDGET, AND WILL LIAISE WITH THE
EARTHMOVING CONTRACTOR REGARDING MOBILIZATION TO THE SITE AND TIMING FOR THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE OVERBURDEN STRIPPING OF THE FIRST OF TWO PLANNED BULK
SAMPLE PITS TO TEST THE GRADE AND QUALITY OF DIAMONDS IN THE GRAVEL DEPOSIT.
UPON CONFIRMATION OF MOBILIZATION, TRANS HEX GROUP WILL COMPLETE THE

CONSTRUCTION OF THE REQUIRED 100 TONNE PER HOUR DMS SAMPLING PLANT, AS AGREED.
THIS PROJECT HAS OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL MERIT, WITH 30 MILLION CUBIC METERS OF
DRILL INDICATED GRAVEL DEFINED WITHIN A 450-HECTARE TERRACE DEPOSIT.

TRANS HEX INTERNATIONAL LTD. IS AN INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND EXPLORATION,

DEVELOPMENT AND MINING COMPANY WITH INTERESTS IN EXPLORATION PROJECTS AND JOINT
VENTURES IN NAMIBIA, BRAZIL AND ZIMBABWE. THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER OF THE
COMPANY IS TRANS HEX GROUP LIMITED, THE SECOND LARGEST DIAMOND PRODUCER IN
SOUTH AFRICA, WITH WELL ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT DIAMOND MARKETING FACILITIES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

D.M. (NIEL) HOOGENHOUT - PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
+1 . 416 . 363-5440
PETER W.A. WALKER - VICE PRESIDENT, EXPLORATION
+27 . 21 . 92-1105
STEPHEN WOODHEAD - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
+1 . 416 . 363-5440

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE AT

WWW.TRANSHEX.COM OR CONTACT US AT THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL ADDRESS:

INFO@TRANSHEX.COM OR FACSIMILE: +1 . 416 . 363-6506