DIAMONDS IN SHARP FOCUS AT TRANS HEX

JSE-LISTED ALLUVIAL DIAMOND MINING AND EXPLORATION GROUP TRANS HEX HAS DISPOSED
OF ITS LIME DIVISION IN A R20-MILLION DEAL TO A WORCESTER-BASED BUSINESS
CONSORTIUM.

THE TRANSACTION, ONE OF THE COMPANY'S STATED SHORT-TERM GOALS - WILL TAKE
EFFECT WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, AFTER COMPETITION COMMISSION FORMALITIES
HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

THE LIME DIVISION WAS ACQUIRED THIRTEEN YEARS AGO AS PART OF THE GROUP'S
DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY AT A TIME WHEN DIAMOND PRICES WERE LOW.

PETER DANCHIN, TRANS HEX MANAGING DIRECTOR-OPERATIONS, COMMENTS : "THE LIME
DIVISION FULFILLED A PURPOSE IN ITS DAY, BUT CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT IN THE
OPERATION DETRACTS FROM OUR CORE BUSINESS - THE MINING AND EXPLORATION OF
DIAMONDS.  HENCE OUR DECISION TO TERMINATE ALL NON-DIAMOND ACTIVITIES AND
LIQUIDATE THE RELATED ASSETS."

PROSPECTS FOR THE PURCHASERS HOWEVER, ARE GOOD.  THE CLOSURE OF THE LOSS-MAKING
TROE TROE CALCINATION FACILITY WAS COMPLETED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, LEAVING THE
PROFITABLE VREDENDAL AND LANGVLEI OPERATIONS AS THE CORE OF THE RE-VITALISED
BUSINESS.

THE WESTERN CAPE FACILITY HAS BEEN WELL-KNOWN FOR THE ULTRA-HIGH QUALITY
DOLOMITE AND LIMESTONE PRODUCED AND IS THE PREFERRED SUPPLIER TO ONE OF THE
COUNTRY'S LARGEST GLASS MANUFACTURERS.

"THE SALE OF THIS BUSINESS UNIT IS A POSITIVE OUTCOME FOR ALL INVOLVED.  IT
ALLOWS US TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THOSE ACTIVITIES IN WHICH WE EXCEL AND
ENSURES THE CONTINUATION OF AN IMPORTANT WEST COAST EMPLOYER," HE ADDS.
"TRANS HEX HAS A NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS PENDING AND THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION
OF THESE WILL GREATLY ENHANCE OUR PROFITABLE DIAMOND MINING BUSINESS,"
CONCLUDES DANCHIN.
ENDS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION    :      PETER DANCHIN
                                  TRANS HEX GROUP

                                  TEL : (021) 939-1105
ISSUED BY                  :      CULLUM JOHNSTON

                                  BHA COMMUNICATIONS
TEL                        :      (021) 683-2685
DATE                       :      24 JANUARY 2000