LOUW APPOINTMENT AT TRANS HEX GETS OFFICIAL NOD

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

THE APPOINTMENT OF THE HIGHLY REGARDED ANDRE LOUW TO HEAD-UP TRANS HEX'S MARINE
MINING DIVISION HAS BEEN GIVEN THE OFFICIAL ALL CLEAR FOLLOWING A RULING IN THE
CAPE TOWN HIGH COURT LAST WEEK.

THE FORMER CEO OF OCEAN DIAMOND MINING (ODM) JOINED TRANS HEX AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE YEAR.  THIS MOVE RESULTED IN NAMCO, THE NAMIBIAN REGISTERED NEW OWNER OF
ODM, TAKING LEGAL STEPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ENFORCE A RESTRAINT OF TRADE ON THE
MARINE MINING EXPERT CLAIMING HIS APPOINTMENT WOULD GIVE TRANS HEX AN UNFAIR
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.

ON FRIDAY, JUSTICE JOSMAN REJECTED THE COMPLAINT WITH COSTS AWARDED TO LOUW.
TRANS HEX MANAGING DIRECTOR: OPERATIONS PETER DANCHIN COMMENTS: "ANDRE IS A KEY
MEMBER OF OUR TEAM AND WITH A NUMBER OF EXCITING MARINE PROJECTS ON THE GO WE
ARE PLEASED THAT HIS FOCUS NOW CAN BE 100% ON THESE VENTURES."

JSE-LISTED TRANS HEX HOLDS ALMOST 20 000KM2 OF SEA MINING CONCESSIONS OFF THE
SOUTH AFRICAN AND NAMIBIAN COASTS.  THE COMPANY LAUNCHED THEIR LATEST RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LAST WEEK - A SHALLOW-MINING TOOL WITH THE POTENTIAL TO
REVOLUTIONISE DIAMOND DIVER OPERATIONS ON THE WEST COAST.
ENDS
ISSUED BY     :     BEVERLEY HAWTHORNE
TEL           :     (021) 683-2685
DATE          :     23 OCTOBER 2000