Antofagasta Regulatory News (ANTO)

28 Aug 2007 07:00

Antofagasta PLC24 August 2007 For immediate release 5 Princes Gate Telephone: + 44 20 7808 0988London Fax: + 44 20 7808 0986SW7 1QJ info@antofagasta.co.ukUnited Kingdom Minera Los Pelambres - El Mauro tailings dam project LONDON: 24 August 2007 - Antofagasta plc announces that earlier today, itssubsidiary Minera Los Pelambres was notified by the Civil Court of Los Vilos ofa new claim made by the same individuals involved in previous litigation againstthe Mauro tailings dam. The claim was lodged with the Los Vilos Court for thefirst time earlier this week and Minera Los Pelambres was neither notified ofnor represented in the hearing. Minera Los Pelambres has also been notified bythat Court of an order to suspend work on one part of the construction of theMauro tailings dam. The effect of the order is to suspend only those works which directly affect thePupio stream in the vicinity of the tailings dam. These works involve less than270 persons of approximately 4,000 persons working on the Mauro tailings damproject, which is approximately 95 per cent complete. Minera Los Pelambres believes that it has obtained all the necessary approvalsand permits for the construction of the Mauro tailings dam, and has had itsright to continue with construction confirmed by the courts on six previousoccasions. It intends to seek the reversal of this order as soon as possible.As the works affected only form a part of the overall project, Minera LosPelambres does not believe this action will affect the schedule for thecompletion of the project by the end of this year. Enquiries - London Enquiries - Santiago Antofagasta plc Antofagasta Minerals S.A.Tel: +44 20 7808 0988 Tel: +562 377 5000www.antofagasta.co.uk Francisco Veloso Email: fveloso@aminerals.cl Desmond O'ConorEmail: doconor@antofagasta.co.uk Media enquiriesHussein Barma Bankside ConsultantsEmail: hbarma@antofagasta.co.uk Tel: +44 20 7367 8873 Keith Irons Email: keith@bankside.com Mobile: 07885 356 639 Oliver Winters Email : oliver.winters@bankside.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange