November 25, 2003

News Release: De Beers and Gemcom Implement Innovative Block Caving Technology

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA and VANCOUVER, BRITISH Gemcom, a global provider of mine production management solutions, today announced that it is partnering with De Beers to implement an innovative technology designed specifically for block cave mining.

Developed in close collaboration with De Beers, Gemcom's technology is equipped with the right tools and functionality to reduce the high costs of ore losses and delays that are associated with block caving activities. Block caving is gaining increasing industry attention as a cost-effective mining method, and this form of technology is achieving growing acceptance worldwide. De Beers'commitment and support to this technology is evidenced by the signing of an $800,000 contract with Gemcom for the implementation of this technology at the De Beers Finsch mine site.

'De Beers is very pleased to reconfirm its status as an industry pioneer through the implementation of this new block caving technology,'said Danie Burger, Mining Systems Manager, De Beers'Finsch Mine. 'From a cost-benefit perspective, our investment in this application will significantly reduce risks and improve the reliability of our block cave mining activities.

'By working with Gemcom to integrate our systems with this block cave technology, we are capitalising on the benefits of the system's centralised database, and enhancing our ability to adjust to the ever-changing demands of our mine.'

'Given the high magnitude of the risks associated with block caving methods, reliable technical systems are required in order to execute operations effectively,'said Tony Diering, Ph.D., Mining, Principal Consultant, Gemcom. 'The recent awarding of the De Beers Finsch mine contract demonstrates a corporate-level trust in Gemcom's innovative technologies, and support for further development of block caving applications.'

About Gemcom

Gemcom is a global provider of mine production management solutions (MPMS). Established in 1985, the company is a premier provider of technical mining applications, professional services, training, and support. Reliable, timely information provided by Gemcom's MPMS allows for greater control throughout the mine lifecycle, which can translate into millions of dollars in productivity gains. Gemcom's solutions include a broad range of technical applications, which facilitate and support the management of all aspects of mine-site performance.

Gemcom has a solid customer base of more than 1000 mine sites in over 85 countries, including such industry giants as Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Codelco, CVRD, De Beers, Noranda, Rio Tinto, and Teck Cominco, which rely on Gemcom's software to facilitate economic decision-making at their operations.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Gemcom has offices in Eastern Canada, the USA, Australia, South Africa, Peru, Chile, and Brazil, and agents in Russia and India. For more information, please visit Gemcom's web site at www.gemcomsoftware.com.

Gemcom Software International Inc. Thais Tsui Corporate Marketing Supervisor (604) 684-6550 (604) 684-3541 (FAX) Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.gemcomsoftware.com

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