ARMS.L Regulatory News (ARMS)

30 April 2014

For Immediate Release

Asia Resource Minerals plc ("ARMS" or the "Company")

Interim Management Statement

For the period to 29 April 2014, including the Production Report for the Three Months ended 31 March 2014

Highlights

· First quarter production of 6.1mt, 15% above prior year (Q1 2013: 5.3mt)

· Cost saving initiatives beginning to impact. First Quarter Production Cost of Sales fell from $39.4/t1 to $38/t

· Stripping ratio 8.8bcm/t (Q1 2013: 8.4bcm/t)

· Average Selling Price (FOB) $58.4/t (Q1 2013: $60.4/t)

· Operationally on track to reach 2014 production target of 25.75mt2

Nick von Schirnding, CEO of Asia Resource Minerals plc said: "I am pleased to report a good Q1 performance with production and costs both well ahead of plan. Continued focus on cost and efficiency remains our priority in the continued weak coal price environment and our Asset Optimisation Programme is beginning to make a meaningful impact."

Cost Reduction Update

Good progress continues to be made in respect of the Company's Asset Optimisation Programme, to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. Overall, Production Cost of Sales was $38/t, down from 39.4/t in the same period last year.

Negotiations have been finalised with a number of mining contractors for a reduction in rates. These reductions are not included in the current Production Cost of Sales. Discussions are on-going with a remaining contractor, and we expect to conclude these shortly.

Fuel consumption continues to be reduced through a number of initiatives, resulting in a reduction in the fuel ratios for coal hauling and over-burden removal.

Barging productivity continues to improve as a result of the removal of excess capacity and the use of larger barges, resulting in a saving of 17% versus the prior year.

Marketing costs have reduced from 3.5% to 3.0%, and discussions on a further reduction in rates are on-going.

Exploration costs have been further reduced for the full year, resulting in a target for the year of $4m, focused on near term mine production. This compares to $11m spent on exploration in 2013.

1Restated for other exceptional costs and the impact of IFRIC 20

2 The Company's 2014 production is subject to a cap from the Indonesian mining authorities. Discussions as to level of this cap are on-going.

Production Report

Berau Coal mined 6.1 million tonnes of coal in the first quarter, 15% higher than in Q1 2013. Berau's stripping ratio for the year to date increased to 8.8bcm/t, up 5% over the same period last year, but 3% below plan. All mining contractors delivered in line or above plan for the quarter except BUMA at Binungan 7. They plan to recover their shortfall by the end of Q3. The first quarter average selling price was $58.4/t, which is 3% lower than the same period in 2013.

Production Report for the First Quarter ended 31 March 2014 (unaudited)

The effect of IFRIC 20 on the Production Cost of Sales is given below:

1. Bank cubic metres (bcm) of overburden removed per tonne of coal mined

2. Restated for impact of 'other exceptional costs'

3. Restated for impact of IFRIC 20

1. Bank cubic metres (bcm) of overburden removed per tonne of coal mined

2. Restated for impact of 'other exceptional costs'

3. Restated for impact of IFRIC 20

Certain figures in the tables above have been rounded.

Financial Position

The Company's financial position remains broadly unchanged from 31 December 2013, with the exception of the receipt of $501m from the disposal of the stake in PT Bumi on 25 March 2014. As previously announced, the Group intends to return at least $400m to shareholders in due course. As at 31 December 2013, the Group had net debt of $523m and cash of $436m.

Forward-looking statement

This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, 'forward-looking statements'. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms 'believes', 'estimates', 'plans', 'projects', 'anticipates', 'expects', 'intends', 'may', 'will', or 'should' or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements include matters that are not historical facts or are statements regarding the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the Company's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, and the industries in which the Company operates. Forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore too much reliance should not be placed upon them. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company's control. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances. The Company cautions you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that if risks and uncertainties materialise, or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, the Company's actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which the Company operates may materially differ from those made in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. In addition, even if the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which the Company operates are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in future periods. A number of factors could cause results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, general economic and business conditions, industry trends, competition, commodity prices, changes in regulation, currency fluctuations, changes in business strategy, political and economic uncertainty. Subject to the requirements of the Prospectus Rules and the Listing Rules or any applicable law or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking publicly to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any changes in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Disclosure and Transparency Rules

This Interim Management Statement ('IMS') and Production Report is prepared to meet the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority ('FSA') to provide additional information to shareholders. The IMS and Production Report should not be relied on for any other purpose or by any other party.

- ENDS-

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