Afri-Can Marine Minerals Corporation ("Afri-Can")(TSX VENTURE: AFA) is pleased to announce that the mv Mare Oceano departed from the port of Luderitz in Namibia on October 17th, 2006. The vessel will be on site on October 18th, 2006 and, upon arrival, will begin the first phase of the resources delineation program on Block J, off the coast of Namibia.

Afri-Can's geological team on board the vessel is led by Mr. Dick Foster, Afri-Can's Resource Development Manager, and comprises Mr. Michael Mittlemeyer and Mr. John Pether.

Mr. Mittlemeyer is a geologist and geophysicist who holds a B.Sc. from the University of Cape Town. He has worked for over 8 years with De Beers Marine as a marine and mine geologist. Since 1998, Mr. Mittlemeyer has been a geological and geophysical consultant to mining and oil and gas companies including Trans Hex Group, Ocean Resources NL, and Frugro Geosurveys Inc. and Under Water Surveys.

Mr. Pether is a geologist and palaeontologist who holds a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. from the University of Cape Town. He worked for over 8 years with De Beers Marine as a senior project geologist. He has worked as an independent sedimentology and palaeontology consultant since 2004, and is a recognized authority in the field of coastal plain palaeo-environments. Mr. Pether is a consultant to the Council for Geoscience of South Africa and to several mining companies.

The first phase of the resources delineation program on Block J consists of a geophysical survey, which will total approximately 1,200 line-kilometers, and the extraction of at least 25 vibro-core samples of 100 mm diameter. The aim of the first phase, which will last for approximately 25 days, is to accurately map and model Features 6 & 8 and to increase the understanding of the geology, stratigraphy and to determine the volume of diamondiferous gravels contained in the deposits. The interpretation of the results of the first phase will enable the finalization of the details of the second phase of the program, which will essentially be a bulk sampling of approximately 319 large samples, each of 10 square meters. The second phase is planned to begin soon after the completion of the analysis and interpretation of the results from the first phase of the program. The aim of the complete program is to delineate diamond resources on Block J in compliance with National Instrument 43-101.

Afri-Can is a Canadian company, actively involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of major mineral properties in Namibia. Afri-Can's large and prospective license holdings, together with its growth strategy, place it as the partner of choice for Namibian Empowerment Groups.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements," as identified in the Afri-Can's periodic fillings with Canadian Securities Regulators that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Shares outstanding: 113,933,396

The TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.