Karelian Diamond Resources PLC announced that TUKES (The Finnish Mining Authority) has granted Karelian the first two of four exploration claim reservations in the Kuuusamo area for which the Company has made applications. 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 both areas, 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. A Claim Reservation gives exclusive rights to apply for exploration claims within the reservation area.