Harry Winston Diamond Corporation Announces Agreement to Purchase Ekati Diamond Mine

Harry Winston Diamond Corporation (TSX:HW, NYSE:HWD) ("Harry Winston" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into share purchase agreements with BHP Billiton Canada Inc., and various affiliates to purchase all of BHP Billiton's diamond assets, including its controlling interest in the Ekati Diamond Mine as well as the associated diamond sorting and sales facilities in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Antwerp, Belgium. The Ekati Diamond Mine consists of the Core Zone, which includes the current operating mine and other permitted kimberlite pipes, as well as the Buffer Zone, an adjacent area hosting kimberlite pipes having both development and exploration potential. The agreed purchase price, payable in cash, is US$400 million for the Core Zone interest and US$100 million for the Buffer Zone interest, subject to adjustments in accordance with the terms of the share purchase agreements.