ACA.L Regulatory News (ACA)

10 December 2013 African Barrick Gold plc (the "Company" or "ABG") Lifting of EPO at North Mara and Update on VAT Receivable ABG is pleased to announce the completion of the final step in the lifting ofthe Environmental Protection Order ("EPO") that has been in force at North Marasince 2009 and the receipt of a formal discharge permit from the Lake VictoriaWater Board. The award of the discharge permit follows the completion of anextensive joint water sampling programme, rehabilitation of affected areas, acommunity awareness programme and the commissioning of a water treatment plantat the mine. The removal of the EPO now allows ABG to discharge clean wateronce it has been treated in the water treatment plant at the mine. With respect to the recovery of VAT receivables to which we are entitled, theprogress seen since the start of the current quarter has continued. Followingthe US$4.8 million of VAT refunds in early October, announced with our ThirdQuarter results, we received a further US$3.1 million of VAT refunds in Octoberand have subsequently received a further US$5.2 million of refunds in November.In addition to this, we have received the first disbursement of US$2.0 millionfrom the Escrow facility in relation to VAT on Imports for July 2013 and areworking to ensure further disbursements occur on a monthly basis going forward.This is an important step forward in resolving this issue and we are nowfocused on advancing discussions with the Tanzanian Revenue Authorities toreach a similar solution for VAT levied on domestic goods and services. Brad Gordon, CEO of African Barrick Gold said; "We are delighted to havecompleted the lifting of the EPO at North Mara. This is the culmination ofsignificant investment at the mine and recognises our ability to dischargeclean and safe water which will benefit both the mine and the communitiesliving around it. We are also pleased to be making good progress in preventinga further build-up in the VAT receivable and are working towards reducing theoverall receivable as we move through 2014." ENQUIRIES For further information contact: African Barrick Gold plc +44 (0)207 129 7150 Andrew Wray, Chief Financial OfficerGiles Blackham, Investor Relations Manager Bell Pottinger +44 (0)207 861 3232 Charlie VivianDaniel Thöle About ABG ABG is Tanzania's largest gold producer and one of the five largest goldproducers in Africa. We have three producing mines, all located in NorthwestTanzania, and several exploration projects at various stages of development inTanzania and Kenya. We have a high-quality asset base, solid growthopportunities and a clear strategy of optimising, expanding and growing ourbusiness. Maintaining our licence to operate through acting responsibly in relation toour people, the environment and the communities in which we operate is centralto achieving our objectives. ABG is a UK public company with its headquarters in London. We are listed onthe Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol ABG and have asecondary listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. ABG reports in USdollars in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, unlessotherwise stated in this announcement.