Rockwell reports fatality at Tirisano mine

VANCOUVER, June 17, 2011 /CNW/ --
VANCOUVER, June 17, 2011 /CNW/ - Rockwell Diamonds Inc. ('Rockwell' or
the 'Company') (TSX:RDI; JSE:RDI, OTCBB:RDIAF) regrets to report that a
fatal accident occurred at its Tirisano mine project on the morning of
June 17, 2011 when an employee suffered fatal injuries at a conveyor
belt installation on the mine.

Rockwell is committed to the highest safety standards at each of its
operations and regrets that these efforts did not prevent this
incident. All operations at Tirisano were immediately halted, the Mine,
Health and Safety inspectorate of the Department of Mineral Resources
was notified and has been on site. A full investigation will be
conducted into the accident.

'We are deeply saddened by this terrible loss and our thoughts are with
the employee's family and the local Magopa community,' said James
Campbell, CEO of Rockwell. 'We will provide whatever support we can to
help them through this very difficult time.'

About Rockwell Diamonds:

Rockwell is engaged in the business of operating and developing alluvial
diamond deposits, with a goal to become a mid-tier diamond mining
company. The Company has three existing operations, which it is
progressively optimizing, two development projects and a pipeline of
earlier stage properties with future development potential. Rockwell is
also at an advanced stage of completing the acquisition of the Tirisano
property.

Rockwell also evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities which have
the potential to expand its mineral resources and production profile
and would provide accretive value to the Company.

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