Thabex Exploration, JSE-listed mining exploration company, has signed a diamond exploration agreement with De Beers Consolidated Ltd. (DBCM) regarding exploration licenses in Namibia. Minnex Exploration, in which Diamex owns a 51% interest, has signed an agreement with DBCM said the company in a press release on February 21, 2006. iamex is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thabex Exploration.%%The agreement outlines diamond exploration to be conducted by Namdeb on specific prospecting licenses. Thabex is awaiting Namdeb’s ratification of the agreement, which according to Thabex Exploration CEO, Marius Welthagen, “It could result in material benefits to Thabex and its shareholders.” The Ndiyona kimberlite project is made up of two exclusive prospecting licenses in the Kavango region of Rundu district in northeastern Namibia.%%Thabex Exploration recently expanded its diamond portfolio when its subsidiary, Diamex, acquired 51 % of Minnex Exploration Ltd. "Upon completion of due diligence," the company said, "This transaction will add three kimberlite and alluvial diamond properties to the group’s portfolio of mineral exploration projects." Among the properties is an exploration project located along the Orange River about 30 kilometers north of Prieska in the Northern Cape Province.