New Claim Reservations Granted

12 March 2014 Diamond Exploration Claim Reservations Granted * Two further Claim Reservations granted in Kuusamo region of Finland * Claim Reservation also granted in the Kuupio-Kaavi region ______________________________________________________________________________ Karelian Diamond Resources plc ("Karelian") (AIM: KDR, ESM: KDRI), the diamond exploration company focused on Finland, is pleased to announce that TUKES (The Finnish Mining Authority) has granted Karelian a further two exploration claim reservations in the Kuusamo region together with a claim reservation in the Kuupio-Kaavi region. The decision to apply for the reservations was based on analysis of airborne geophysics together with till sampling and integration of data made available to Karelian under its agreement with Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration. In all three reservations kimberlitic indicator minerals were recovered in till samples and further studies, including microprobe analysis, showed the presence of diamondiferous kimberlitic indicator minerals. Kuusamo is located in the North-East of Finland just south of the Arctic Circle and is bordered to the East by Russia. Kuupio-Kaavi is in Central Finland and is an established diamondiferous region. A Claim Reservation gives exclusive rights to apply for exploration claims within the reservation area. This release has been approved by Kevin McNulty PGeo, who is a member of the Company's technical staff, who holds a BSc/MSc in Geology and Remote Sensing, in accordance with the guidance note for Mining, Oil & Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM Companies, which outlines standards of disclosure for mineral projects. Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman, commented: "We are delighted to have been granted these additional claim reservations in regions of Finland which we believe to be highly prospective for diamonds. Further Information: Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman, Karelian Tel: + 353-1-661-8958 Diamond Resources plc Simon Clements/Virginia Bull, Sanlam Securities UK Tel: +44-20-7628-2200 Limited (Nomad) Ger Heffernan, IBI Corporate Finance Limited (ESM Tel: + 353-7662-34800 Adviser) Jon Belliss/Abigail Wayne, Hume Securities PLC Tel: +44-20-3693-1493 (Broker) Michael Padley Lothbury Financial Services Limited Tel: +44-20-3440-7620 Don Hall, Hall Communications Tel: + 353-1-660-9377 http://www.kareliandiamondresources.com