Joseph Gutnick's Astro Mining NL has quit diamond exploration in China and India and returned to Australia, where the company is seeking extensions to the Bow River alluvial mine in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

Astro has also acquired large exploration tenements surrounding Ashton Mining's Merlin diamond mine in the north-west of the Northern Territory in a bid to fulfil the late Rebbe Menachem Schneerson's prediction that Mr Gutnick would make a major diamond discovery in Australia.