Botswana Diamonds reported operating losses of US$390,000 (�256,000) for the six months to the end of December - up from US$270,000 (�177,000) a year earlier.

The company said the losses were a result of administrative expenses.

Meanwhile, pre-tax losses rose to US$394,000 (�259,000) - up from US$315,000 (�207,000) last year.

"The six months to the end of 2012 were very active for Botswana Diamonds," the firm said in a statement. Its focus is Botswana but it also has operations in Cameroon and Mozambique.