AMI.L Regulatory News (AMI)

19 September 2014

African Minerals Limited

("African Minerals", "AML", or "the Company")

Tonkolili Iron Ore Project funding and operational update

African Minerals Limited, the developer, operator and 75% shareholder of the Tonkolili Iron Ore Project ("the Project") in Sierra Leone, notes the recent volatility in the share price and in response to this provides the following update.

As previously announced the Project's operations remain unaffected by the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak. The Company does not expect there to be any material impact to the Project from the planned four day curfew that the Government of Sierra Leone intends to apply over the coming weekend.

The Company reiterates guidance of 16-18Mtpa for full year 2014, with C1 cash costs in the range $34-36/t.

Following his appointment as CEO in August, Alan Watling has presented to the Board of the Project Companies an assessment of the current financial position and a financial recovery plan, with recommended actions to make the Project cash flow positive on a sustainable basis by the end of 2014, even given the ongoing weakness in iron ore prices. The Board of the Project Companies has approved this plan, and the associated actions and budgets, to increase export volumes, reduce costs, enhance revenues, and seek refinancing to strengthen the Project Companies' balance sheets.

In support of these plans, and in line with the commitments made in August 2014, $82m has already been drawn down from the Project's Hong Kong funds (which totalled $284m at the end of June 2014), and has been used primarily for working capital purposes. The Board of the Project Companies has now approved the draw down of a further $161m in September and October for further essential payments, including to fund the approved cost reduction initiatives, to finance working capital and to cover operating losses and debt repayments until the Project becomes cashflow positive.

Furthermore, the Board of the Project Companies has resolved that a revenue enhancement strategy should be pursued, such that all future shipments (after those for which ships are already confirmed) should be sold at a fair market price. To that end, and supported by Shandong as the principal offtaker, we will be communicating with our customers not only to temporarily defer the current price influencing factors (including, but not limited to, discounts, agency fees, marketing fees, freight subsidies, etc), but also to require a premium for the low silica nature of our DSO product. SISG has provided an assurance that, should these discussions with our customers be successful, they will also comply.

The Company will provide a further update in its half year 2014 financial statements scheduled for publication on 30 September 2014, including an update on the status of its refinancing plans.

CEO Alan Watling stated:

"After four weeks at the helm of this Company, I believe deeply in the value of this world class asset. The work currently underway including the commissioning of the 1G plant, the commissioning of our de-sliming circuits, increase in export volumes, and a number of additional near term cost reductions and revenue enhancements, leads me to expect that this project will become cashflow positive, assuming that the iron ore price environment remains broadly unchanged, by the end of this year.

This will firmly establish Tonkolili as a low cost producer, with strong cashflow growth as we move into friable hematite concentrate production, even at current prices.

With the demonstrated support of the Project Companies' Board and our 25% partners Shandong Iron and Steel Group, and the provision of access to short term funds to meet our immediate commitments and plans, I am confident that the Project will achieve financial stability in the near term, and will put us in a strong position to implement appropriate medium and longer term financing strategy to support the goals of both the Project and the Company."

Contacts:

African Minerals Limited

+44 20 3435 7600

Mike Jones

Tavistock Communications

+44 20 7920 3150

Jos Simson / Nuala Gallagher

Jefferies

+44 20 7029 8000

Nick Adams / Alex Collins

About African Minerals

African Minerals operates the Tonkolili Iron Ore Project (the "Project") in Sierra Leone, with a JORC compliant resource of 12.8 Bt. The multi-generational Project is being developed in a number of staged expansions. In 2013, African Minerals completed sales of 12.1 Mt to its customers. The current year sales guidance is for 16-18 Mt of exports as the operations focus on operating at the 20 Mtpa run rate design capacity.

Phase II expansion will see exports increase to 25 Mtpa, and will incorporate production of a high grade concentrate product. Concentrate production is expected to begin in 2015 and will eventually displace current DSO production as concentrate volumes increase and the DSO resource depletes over time.

The Company has also developed significant port and rail infrastructure to support the operation of the Project, via its subsidiary African Rail and Port Services (SL) Limited ("ARPS"), in which the Government of Sierra Leone ("GoSL") has a 10% free carried interest.

The Project companies are currently owned 75% by AML, and 25% by Shandong Iron and Steel Group ("SISG"), except for ARPS, which is currently owned 75% by AML and 25% by SISG, with the GoSL having the right to a 10% free carried interest from AML.

www.african-minerals.com

ENDS