AVM.L Regulatory News (AVM)

Avocet Mining PLC2011Full Year Results

HIGHLIGHTS

·; Company successfully restructured to focus exclusively on West African gold mining and exploration

·; Sale of South East Asian assets for US$199 million to date

·; Premium Listing on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange's Main Market achieved in December 2011

·; Capacity and production at Inata Gold Mine ramped up to 167,000 ounces (2010: 138,000 ounces)

·; Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve base at Inata Gold Mine expanded to 3.46 millionounces and 1.85millionounces respectively

·; Mineral Resource at Koulékoun, Guinea tripled to 1.83millionounces

·; Total Group Mineral Resources more than doubled to 6.26 million ounces

·; Strong safety performance - six million man hours workedwithout lost time injury to December 2011

·; Group profit before tax of US$115.1 million (2010: US$33.5 million)

·; Profitability enhanced with EBITDA from continuing operations increasing 54% to US$84.1 million

·; Dividend policy of US$20 million per annum announced, final dividend of 4.2 pence per share proposed

KEY FINANCIAL METRICS1

1Financial metrics relate to continuing operations only and exclude the results from South East Asian operations in the year

2Includes hedge sales in 2011 of 75,869 at an average price of US$966 per ounce (2010: 51,199 ounces at US$970 per ounce)

Commenting on these results, Brett Richards, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"2011 was a year of delivery for Avocet. We started the year with the intention of developing and growing our assets in West Africa and by year end had exceeded our own targets. Our Mineral Resource base in West Africa more than doubled to 6.26 million ounces, Mineral Reserves doubled to 1.85 million ounces after depletion and the Inata Gold Mine exceeded forecast with 167,000 ounces of gold produced. In 2012, we will be focused on leveraging these assets to generate continued growth and greater returns for our shareholders. In Burkina Faso, our expansion plans will optimise returns on the enlarged Mineral Reserve base and a series of cost reduction programs are being implemented to analyse all of our cost drivers in an effort to reduce cash costs. Following our encouraging visit to Guineain January, we will progress discussions with the Government and agree on a financial stability agreement before commencing a feasibility study on building a mine at Koulékoun. While this project is still at a relatively early stage, it has the potential to deliver returns in line with those seen at Inata. Looking ahead, we have a new set of priorities for 2012, but I remain confident that with our experienced management team and strong balance sheet, we will continue to deliver on them."

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Notes to Editors

Avocet Mining PLC is a gold mining and exploration company listed on the London Stock Exchange (Ticker: AVM.L) and the Oslo Børs (Ticker: AVM.OL). The Company's principal activities are gold mining and exploration in West Africa.

In Burkina Faso the Company owns 90% of the Inata Gold Mine. The deposit at Inata currently comprises a Mineral Resource of 3.46 million ounces and a Mineral Reserve of 1.85 million ounces. The Inata Gold Mine poured its first gold in December 2009 and produced 167,000 ounces of gold in 2011.

Other assets in Burkina Faso include eight exploration permits surrounding the Inata Gold Mine in the broader Bélahouro region. The most advanced of these projects is at Souma, some 20 kilometres from the Inata Gold Mine, where a Mineral Resource of 0.56 million ounces exists.

In Guinea, Avocet owns twelve exploration licenses in the north east of the country. Mineral Resource development has been ongoing since 2005 and the project at Tri-K is the most advanced. Within the Tri-K project, Koulékoun has a Mineral Resource of 1.83 million ounces and Kodiéran of 0.41 million ounces.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

2011 was a year of dramatic change for Avocet. In 2010 we embarked on a strategy to transform the Company into a leading West African gold mining and exploration company. By the end of 2011 we had achieved all of the objectives that we set eighteen months ago to realise this change.

During 2011, the environment in which the Company operates also saw dramatic change. Demand for gold continued to rise as global economic uncertainties persisted, with a record price of US$1,920 per ounce achieved in September 2011. The European debt crisis and continued speculation of quantitative easing in the United States reinforced gold's position in the investment markets as a relative safe haven. Whilst the impact of higher prices achieved was certainly to our advantage, pricing pressures on input materials and services in the gold mining sector increased in line with the escalation in gold price. In particular, the strong rise in fuel prices, which have a general correlation to gold prices, significantly impacted production cash costs and profitability for the industry as a whole.

The socio-political environment in West Africa remained broadly stable during 2011. The governments of both Burkina Faso and Guinea continue to be strong supporters of the gold industry as a catalyst for economic development. In Burkina Faso, a short period of social unrest occurred in late April, triggering a spike in retail fuel costs, food costs and other staples across the country. This social tension was exacerbated by strike action in the military over a wage dispute, which in turn led to widespread strike action across the country, including at the Inata Gold Mine and most of the country's other mines. Negotiations with our employees were concluded within a week, resulting in an acceptable wage increase and a peaceful return to work.

In September 2011, the Government of Guinea passed a new Mining Code into law, with the objective of ensuring a fair return from mining activities for the people of Guinea. The new Mining Code was intended to improve the financial transparency and environmental responsibility of mining companies, whilst promoting foreign inward investment. Many provisions in the previous 1995 Mining Code remained intact, including the Government's existing 15% free carried interest in mining ventures. However, there were several material changes in the new code which are currently undergoing public review and scrutiny to calibrate their alignment to the mandate of ensuring a fair return from mining activities, whilst balancing the promotion and attraction of new investment in the sector in Guinea. Changes include an option for the Government to purchase an additional 20% equity interest for cash; a maximum number and size of exploration permits to be held in specific commodities; and certain quotas to encourage the employment of Guinean nationals. Many observers in Guinea believe that amendments to the new Mining Code are likely to be made over the coming months to ensure optimum alignment to the mandate.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

The first step towards growing the Company into a leading West African gold mining and exploration company was to focus the Company's asset base exclusively on West Africa.

In late December 2010 we announced the sale of our South East Asian assets to J&Partners for US$200 million. The sale was substantially completed by June 2011 by which date US$170 million had been received. A further US$27 million of proceeds was received in September 2011 bringing the total consideration received in 2011 to US$197 million. A further US$2 million was received on 16 February 2012, following the sale of a remaining exploration asset, for a total received of US$199 million.

In April 2011, Avocet was informed that a law suit had been filed against it in the District Court of Jakarta, Indonesia by PT LebongTandai ("PT LT"), Avocet's former partner in a joint venture in Indonesia. The law suit relates to a challenge as to the legality of the sale of Avocet's South East Asian assets. PT LT asserts that it is entitled to acquire all of these assets pursuant to an agreement allegedly entered into between PT LT and Avocet in April 2010. In November 2011, Avocet challenged the jurisdiction of the District Court to hear the law suit on the basis that PT LT and Avocet were obligated under the terms of their joint venture to settle any dispute through arbitration. In addition, Avocet challenged the court's jurisdiction on the grounds that Avocet is not subject to the Indonesian courts as it has no presence in Indonesia. The District Court subsequently found in Avocet's favour and dismissed the case. PT LT has since lodged an appeal to the Indonesian High Court against the District Court's decision. Despite the appeal by PT LT, which may take several months, the Board of Avocet is encouraged that the District Court has ruled in Avocet's favour in the first instance. The Board also remains confident that all the actions taken in respect of the transaction have been in accordance with prevailing rules and regulations and there are no grounds for any such legal action.

Having substantially completed the divestment of our South East Asian interests, developing and growing the Company's assets in West Africa was and remains our key strategic objective.

In July 2011, the Board made a commitment to invest US$20 million per year over three years in exploration in the Bélahouro District to facilitate Mineral Resource development and Mineral Reserve replenishment. This commitment facilitated one of the largest exploration drilling programmes in the region over the course of 2011, and resulted in a significant increase of the Inata Mineral Resource to 3.46 million ounces. Furthermore, Inata's Mineral Reserves were increased to 1.85 million ounces, equivalent to a life of mine of 12.5 years at current capacity and production profile of the Inata Gold Mine. Together with Mineral Resource increases at our Tri-K project in Guinea, the Company has seen Group Mineral Resources double to 6.26 million ounces over 2011.

A scoping study was initiated in the third quarter of 2011 to assess how best to further increase the Inata Gold Mine's production profile in the coming years. Based on the scoping study work to date, and the new larger reserve, the Company remains committed to an expansion targeted at 245,000 ounces of gold production per annum by the end of 2013. Following a period of lower recoveries during Q3 associated with processing carbonaceous ore, Inata's strong fourth quarter indicated that the impact of carbon is not unduly affecting the mine's performance. Although the study has not yet concluded, current indications are that the ability to process carbonaceous ore with high recoveries will increasingly add value throughout the life of mine, either in the form of a new plant or through expansion and modification of the existing plant. Further metallurgical test work is required over the coming months in order to determine the optimum processing methods, plant configuration and location.

The opportunity exists while planning the expansion scenarios, to address the longer term issues that typically arise later in a mine's life (processing harder rock, deeper pits, lower grade and more carbonaceous ore) by configuring a plant capable of maximising gold production from different ores types. The study has considered ore sources from mineralised areas within the Inata mine licence area, as well as potential mineralisation outside the mine licence area, including Damba, Pali, Ouzemi, Filio, Kourfadie and Dynamite and Miilam on the Souma Trend. Emphasis has therefore been placed not only on maximising the potential of the existing Mineral Reserve, but also on being able to exploit new reserve additions within the large Bélahouro district. Potential process plant options considered by the scoping study have included a heap leach operation, expansion of the existing plant, construction of a new plant, and a combination of these.

Early analysis showed that the heap leach option could prove to be a means of providing expanded production quickly and with relatively low capital expenditure, however in order for the heap leach option to be optimal as the first phase of expansion, it will have to be shown that sufficient quantities of low grade oxide material exist within the Inata Mine Licence Area. Expanding the existing plant also represents an opportunity to increase gold production at relatively low capex, but with most of the new pits being developed to the south or potentially at Souma in the east, haul distances and costs would be increased, while some modifications would also be required to allow the plant to fully exploit harder or more carbonaceous ore feed. The construction of a new plant, capable of processing all types of ore including carbonaceous material, may entail slightly higher capital expenditure but would provide more flexibility in terms of configuration and location, while optimising processing efficiency and gold production.

The Company's expertise in dealing with carbonaceous ore is a key advantage. Resin-in-leach processing, as used in the Company's former mine in Malaysia, could be considered for a new plant or as a modification to the existing plant. Expansion work will therefore require focused metallurgical test work, mineral distribution analysis and carbon modelling of the mineral resources and reserves in and around Inata during the remainder of the first half of 2012, with a view to determining the optimum expansion plant configuration and location by the middle of the year. The Company would then expect permitting and construction to take place in the remainder of 2012 and into late 2013, with start-up of expanded production likely to commence thereafter. Further updates on the Inata expansion will be made over the coming months as we progress through the study and test work.

In July of 2011, Inata's gold hedge was restructured, with 20% of the hedge book being eliminated at a cost of approximately US$40 million, and the remaining position of 233,733 ounces being rescheduled over seven years. Deliveries are now 8,250 ounces per quarter through to June 2018 at a price of US$950 per ounce as opposed to the initial schedule of 25,000 ounces per quarter at US$970 per ounce. As a result of the restructure, the proportion of Inata's current annual production that is exposed to spot prices doubled from 40% to approximately 80%.

In July 2011 the Company announced the adoption of a regular dividend policy. The Company's policy is to pay dividends at an initial level of approximately US$20 million per annum, one third as an interim dividend and two thirds as a final dividend. This level of payment strikes a balance between returning profit to shareholders and being able to invest in the growth of our business. An interim dividend of 2.1 pence per share was paid on 30 September 2011. The Board has proposed a final dividend of 4.2 pence per share, which would give a total dividend for the year of 6.3 pence per share, which is expected to result in an aggregate payment for the year of US$20.0 million in line with the stated dividend policy. This final dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 3 May 2012, and if approved, will be paid on 1 June 2012 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 May 2012.

In view of the Company's many strategic accomplishments, the Avocet Board took a decision in the third quarter to seek admission to the Official List of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. This admission was duly granted and trading on the London Stock Exchange commenced on 8 December 2011. Avocet remains listed on the Oslo Børs in Norway, where over 35% of its shares are held, however the Company's primary listing is now in London. Avocet's shares are expected to be included in the FTSE250 Index at the next inclusion date of 7 March 2012.

EXPLORATION REVIEW

During 2010 the Company set itself a target of doubling the size of the Mineral Reserve at the Inata Gold Mine, based on successful increases in the mine's Mineral Resource. Our other strategic exploration objective has been to advance the Koulékoun gold project in Guinea towards a feasibility study. In addition to these objectives, the Company's longer term growth aspirations are being supported by the development of a pipeline of prospects in the surrounding permits in both Burkina Faso and Guinea. During 2011, Avocet spent US$34 million on exploration in West Africa. To facilitate further growth, a decision was made in July of 2011 to invest US$20 million per annum in exploration expenditure in Burkina Faso and a similar amount in Guinea.

Following a successful exploration campaign in 2011, the Group's Mineral Resource base in West Africa has now increased to 6.26 million ounces, an increase of 165%, or nearly 4 million ounces, compared with the 2.38 million ounces at the time of the Wega Mining acquisition in 2009. Mineral Reserves at Inata have doubled in the same timeframe, despite mining depletion of 337,000ounces.

At Inata, the Company drilled 47,400 metres of reverse circulation (RC) and 33,300 metres of diamond (DD) and RC with Diamond tail drill holes in the calendar year. This programme resulted in the doubling of the Inata Mineral Resource by the end of the year with Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 57.3Mt @ 1.45 g/t Au containing 2.68 million ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 17.8Mt @ 1.36 g/t Au containing 0.78 million ounces gold. The Mineral Resource grew at depth, particularly at Inata North, and through the discovery of parallel zones within the Inata Trend and new zones of mineralisation on the parallel east-west Minfo Trend to the south. The latter is particularly important, as the discovery of the Minfo East prospect along the Minfo Trend highlighted the potential for significant mineralisation along a longer strike length than previously appreciated. In addition, current knowledge indicates the presence of a parallel zone of mineralisation approximately 70 metres to the north, which could result in a reduction in current stripping ratios if both zones can be mined from a single pit.

Exploration work continued throughout the year in the broader Bélahouro region, where Avocet holds exploration licenses covering over 1,634 square kilometres. Scout drilling of the Pali and Filio prospects identified additional mineralised targets that will be further developed in 2012.

Early in 2011 a helicopter-borne geophysical VTEM survey was flown across the Tri-K block of permits in northeast Guinea. The survey identified a number of conductive anomalies at Kodiafaran and in the Koulékoun District, as well as two large bodies of granite that appeared to have gold mineralisation focused on their margins namely Kodiéran and Gbinli. These conductive and resistive anomalies pointed to a number of targets that will be followed up with drilling in 2012.

Over the remainder of the year 33,900 metres of RC and 15,400 metres of DD drilling at Koulékoun were completed. The result of this drilling was an increase in the Mineral Resource by 175% to 1.83 million ounces. Koulékoun is now defined by Indicated Mineral Resources of 21.6Mt @ 1.44 g/t Au containing 1.00 million ounces gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of 22.6Mt @ 1.15 g/t Au containing 0.83 million ounces gold. Drill results also indicated that the Mineral Resource is hosted in a 40-80m thick zone of north-northwest-striking porphyry dyke. This primary ore body has been drilled over a strike length of 2,000 metres and to a vertical depth of 350 metres and has proven to be broad and tabular in structure. Resource grades occur over a strike length of 950 metres and the mineralisation is open at depth. The porphyry is cut by a northeast-striking structure and gold grades are locally higher in the pipe formed by the intersection of this structure with the porphyry. The structure adds Mineral Resources in the hanging wall to the main porphyry, which will reduce the amount of waste in an open pit and reduce the stripping ratio.

Over the year 18,000 metres of RC drilling were undertaken at Kodiéran, which identified a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource of 7.3Mt @ 1.79 g/t Au containing 0.41 million ounces gold. New resource candidates at Fowaro and Kourounin were also identified. Scout drilling of 10,400 metres RC at Balandougou intersected gold mineralisation that requires follow up drilling in 2012.

OPERATIONS REVIEW

Inata Gold Mine Production Statistics

The Inata Gold Mine is 220 km north of the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou on the edges of the Birimian greenstone belt. The mine is owned by Société des Mines de Bélahouro SA ("SMB") of which Avocet owns 90% and the government of Burkina Faso the remaining 10%.

After the Inata Gold Mine's first full year of production in 2010, mining continued to ramp up in 2011. A decision was reached in late 2010 to increase the plant capacity from 287 tonnes per hour to 340 tonnes per hour and to increase mining capacity to deliver the necessary ore feed to achieve as much. The expansion in plant capacity was successfully implemented and the target processing rate was reached on schedule in the third quarter of 2011 with commissioning of the third mining fleet during the same quarter. From an initial overall mine capacity of approximately 12Mt per annum in early 2010, this had risen to approximately 30Mt per annum during the fourth quarter of 2011. As well as allowing ore mining to match the increased plant throughput, the increased mining rates in 2011 allowed the mine to handle the higher stripping ratios demanded by the Mineral Reserve increase announced in September 2010. Combined with good plant availabilities, the feed rate of 340 tonnes per hour meant that tonnes processed were 40% higher than the prior year at 2.5 million tonnes.

The increase in milling capacity was matched by the addition of a second elution column in the final recovery circuit. This facility will not only reduce the operational risk posed by having a single line circuit, but more importantly improves the carbon management and regeneration capacity as well as minimising the gold in circuit at any point in time.

In addition to focussing on plant capacity, considerable effort has been made during 2011 to reduce plant maintenance costs and improve plant availabilities. Several initiatives have been undertaken, particularly with regard to re-engineering high wear areas of the plant. These have been successfully implemented and the average availability for the year was 89% after taking the industrial action work stoppages in May into account. Considerable investment also took place during the year to reduce the risk to operations by reviewing our stock of critical spares and all reasonable measures have now been undertaken to ensure the high levels of availability are maintained going forward.

A similar process was adopted in the Heavy Duty Maintenance section with regards to the maintenance of the mining fleet. This area benefitted from the construction of new workshops which have not only had a positive impact on availabilities, but also now facilitate the planned maintenance component rebuild schedule. The combination of a sound maintenance philosophy and modern condition monitoring techniques has enabled the lives of several major components to be safely extended with considerable cost saving benefits.

Mining during the first half of the year was primarily from the Inata North but by September 2011 this starter pit had essentially been depleted and, consequently, the prime source of ore since then was and will continue to be from the Inata Central pit. This was supplemented by ore from the Inata Far South pit, where mining commenced in the fourth quarter of 2011. The stripping of the Sayouba and Inata South pits will commence in March and October 2012 respectively.

In 2011 head grade dropped to 2.26 from 2.66 g/t Au in 2010. As the Mineral Reserve grade is 1.70 g/t Au, head grades will trend towards this average over the longer term. Resources at Minfo Trends are higher grade, which when converted to Mineral Reserves are expected to have a positive impact on the life of mine grade.

During the second half of the year, especially in the third quarter, processing of a high proportion of carbonaceous ore from deeper in the Inata North pit impacted recoveries, and this, together with lower head grades and higher plant throughput rates meant that gold recoveries reduced from 94% in 2010 to 91% in 2011. The mine's geology department is compiling a carbon model for the Inata Gold Mine to better understand the location and impact of carbon in the ore body. Studies are also underway to optimise plant recoveries and to mitigate preg-robbing. Together with the commissioning of a gravity circuit and additional carbon regeneration capacity in early 2012, these measures will ensure optimal recoveries going forward, as will Avocet's experience in managing carbonaceous ore in South East Asia.

In total, the Inata Gold Mine currently has three operating open pits that allow for flexibility to blend ore optimally, thereby facilitating stable recovery rates and production, as well as to reschedule its mining plan in response to marketplace dynamics. The number of pits will increase to at least six under the current mine plan; thus providing greater scheduling and blending opportunities going forward.

Cash costs for the year at US$693 per ounce were below revised guidance and were competitive in an environment of significant cost pressures affecting the whole sector. Costs rose from US$533 per ounce in the first quarter to US$773 per ounce in the fourth. Higher fuel costs were a key factor, with increases in mining and plant activity levels exacerbated by rising fuel prices. The fuel price increase reflected an underlying increase in global oil prices and the decision taken mid-year by the Government of Burkina Faso that value added tax on fuel would no longer be recoverable. As well as Inata's direct fuel consumption, higher fuel prices also drove up freight costs of goods delivered to site. Higher mining rates resulted in a proportional increase in maintenance costs, and the higher labour rates introduced as a result of the industrial action taken in May of 2011 also impacted upon overall costs. Royalties rose as a direct result of higher spot prices as well as a higher proportion of gold sold at spot prices following the hedge restructure in July. On a cost per ounce basis, unit costs were also driven higher by lower grades and recoveries.

Where possible, costs were actively managed with a number of operational improvements. Specifically, automated cyanide dosing introduced during the second half of 2011 reduced cyanide consumption in the order of 20%, and a similar saving is expected through the introduction of automated lime dosing in the second half of 2012. Significant cost reductions are also anticipated through the introduction of a fuel-based cooling system for the powerhouse, which will improve the efficiency of the generators, and this expected to be on line by mid-2012.

Of particular importance to Avocet, is the excellent safety performance that we achieved subsequent to the acquisition of the Inata Gold Mine. In late November, the Inata Gold Mine achieved the significant milestone of six million man hours worked injury free. This achievement was the result of ongoing vigilance and proactive measures taken to maintain high level of staff training and awareness.However, a lost time incident occurred in late December 2011, when an operator sustained a sprained ankle while dismounting from an excavator following a fire in the excavator. While it is regrettable that an incident occurred, the injury occurred after the operator had followed standard safety processes by activating the equipment's fire suppression system, thus minimising the fire hazard to himself and disruption to mining operations.

OUTLOOK FOR 2012

During 2011 the focus in Burkina Faso was on increasing Inata's plant capacity to 340 tonnes per hour and adding mining capacity to support this higher throughput. During 2012 the mine's operations team will be firmly focused on operating and cost efficiencies. Several operational projects are now being progressed that will directly impact on reagent and fuel consumption and consequently reduce operating costs. In addition a business process review was initiated during 2011 to optimise Inata's business systems, including its supply chain. Reduced purchase prices, consolidated logistics and optimised inventory levels are among the anticipated benefits.

In Burkina Faso, the Company's project team, including those responsible for successfully completing Inata's construction and commissioning, will advance Inata's expansion plans, with an initial emphasis on comprehensive metallurgical test work. Once complete, the results of this analysis will determine the optimal expansion plan which will be progressed immediately into construction.

In 2012, the exploration activities in Burkina Faso will include geochemical auger and aircore drilling of geophysical anomalies surrounding the Inata Gold Mine and along the Souma Trend. The Company will follow up priority prospects with RC and DD drilling later in the year to develop new Mineral Resources. In the meantime, considerable drilling is required to expand the identified zones of mineralisation in the Inata Mine licence area, particularly in the south of the area where the intersection between the Inata and Minfo Trends requires further development. Souma remains a quality candidate for further growth in Mineral Resources that will be drilled once the many targets near Inata have been tested. In Guinea, Avocet will conduct geochemical aircore drilling of geophysical anomalies at Kodiafaran and in the Koulékoun District. Kodiéran and Balandougou will be the subject of further drilling programmes to develop and increase their Mineral Resources. Both the Burkina Faso and Guinea exploration programmes are expected to provide a base of Mineral Resource expansion in 2013 that will directly support Avocet's future production growth.

With Koulékoun advanced to a sufficient scale to warrant a feasibility study into developing a mine, and in view of the recent mining code changes, the senior executive group from Avocet, along with its key advisors, held discussions in Conakry during January 2012 with the highest levels of the Guinea government. The discussions were focussed on a mutual exchange of information, at which Avocet provided an update on its projects in Guinea and both parties discussed the new mining code. At the Government's invitation, Avocet has subsequently tabled a number of areas of the new mining code that require clarity and definition, as well as areas that require consideration for change. While uncertainty continues to exist on how the mining code may develop and how it will be implemented, these discussions confirmed the Government's desire to attract inward investment, while balancing the needs of the Guinean people. Avocet anticipates receiving clarity in the new mining code, as well as confirmation of the process for achieving a fiscal stability agreement in the coming months. If a satisfactory stability agreement can be achieved by the middle of 2012, we intend to progress Koulékoun into a definitive feasibility study, a comprehensive exercise that is expected to take a full twelve months to complete. Construction is therefore likely to take a further twelve months, which indicates targeted first gold in late 2014. We intend to provide regular updates to shareholders throughout the process.

This past year will go down in Avocet's history as a transformational one, but also a very successful one. Our success reflects the dedication and commitment of the Avocet team, and I would like to thank all Avocet employees for their contribution to our achievements this year. I look forward to 2012 being an equally successful year, and another stepping stone towards our long term objective of becoming a leading West African gold mining and exploration company.

BRETT A. RICHARDS

Chief Executive Officer

FINANCIAL REVIEW

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS1

1 Prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The table, and following commentary, presents continuing and discontinued operations in aggregate unless otherwise stated. Following the announcement on 24 December 2010 of the signing of a binding agreement to sell the Group's South East Asian assets, the Group's Malaysian and Indonesian operations have been presented as discontinued. Note 4 ofthis announcement presents an analysis of the results of operations by segment, identifying continuing and discontinued operations.

2 During 2009 the Company changed its year end from March to December and reported a nine month period ended 31 December 2009. In view of this change in year end in 2009 and short reporting period, the Company has provided unaudited comparatives for the twelve months ended 31 December 2009, in note 35 ofthis announcement.

REVENUE

Group revenue for the year was US$280.6 million compared with US$254.6 million in 2010. 2010 results included a full year of revenue from the Company's South East Asian mines, which were sold in June 2011. However, in 2011 this was offset by two major factors: first, ounces sold at Inata were significantly higher in 2011, as the mine benefitted from the ramp up and debottlenecking work that was undertaken in the previous year; and second, average realised gold prices in 2011 were US$1,333 per ounce, a 13% increase compared with 2010. Higher realised prices partly reflected the restructure of Inata's hedge in July 2011.

GROSS PROFIT AND UNIT COSTS[3]

Group gross profit in 2011 was US$72.9 million compared with US$53.9 million in 2010, an increase of US$19.0 million. The bulk of this increase (US$19.2 million) was due to production increases at Inata, while the balance reflects the net impact of higher gold prices less the inclusion of only six months results from the disposed South East Asian operations.

Unit costs at Inata increased from US$531 per ounce in 2010 to US$693 per ounce in 2011. The beneficial effect of higher gold production on unit costs per ounce of gold produced was more than offset by the impact of higher tonnes mined and processed, lower grades, and increases in input costs, notably increased labour rates and diesel prices, which were exacerbated by VAT on fuel, at 18%, becoming non-recoverable during 2011.

The table below reconciles the Group's cost of sales to the cash cost per ounce in respect of continuing operations only (excluding the divested South East Asian operations). Further detail is provided in note 4 of the condensed financial statements included in this announcement.

PROFIT BEFORE TAX

The Group reported a profit before tax of US$115.1 million in the year ended 31 December 2011, compared with US$33.5 million in the year ended 31 December 2010.

The 2011 profit figure included a number of exceptional items including gains on disposal of the Group's non-core South East Asian assets totalling US$92.5 million, a gain on disposal of shares held in Avion Gold Corp of US$9.0 million, the US$39.8 million cost of restructuring Inata's hedge position in July 2011, and the US$3.1 million cost of listing on the Main Board of the London Stock Exchange. The results for 2010 included net exceptional gains of US$0.2 million, including the costs of listing on the Oslo Børs (US$2.4 million), offset by gains on disposal of a number of the Company's non-core assets (US$2.6 million).

Before exceptional items, profit before tax for the year ended December 2011 was US$56.4 million compared with US$33.4 million for the year ended December 2010, principally reflecting higher gold prices and the increase in production at Inata.

TAXATION

The Group's taxation charge amounted to US$10.0 million in 2011, analysed as follows:

The tax charge in Burkina Faso represents a deferred tax charge as a result of the accelerated capital allowances on assets related to the construction of the Inata mine, as well as an adjustment to reflect the increase in Inata's tax rate to 27.5%, as from 2013 it is not expected to benefit from the reduced tax rate enjoyed in the first three years of activity in accordance with the country's mining convention.

The tax charge in Avocet Mining PLC reflects the write off of deferred tax assets following a reassessment of recoverability, subsequent to the decision to sell the Group's assets in South East Asia, and withholding tax suffered on dividends received from a subsidiary.

The taxes in Malaysia and Indonesia reflect the tax charges on profits generated in those countries prior to their sale.

EBITDA

EBITDA represents operating profit before depreciation/amortisation, interest and taxes, as well as excluding any exceptional items in the period. It is not defined by IFRS but is commonly used as an indicator of the underlying cash generation of the business.

EBITDA increased from US$86.3 million in 2010 to US$100.3 million in 2011, an improvement of 16%. This improvement reflected improvements to gross profit above.

A reconciliation of Profit before tax and exceptionals to EBITDA is set out below:

CASH FLOW AND LIQUIDITY

A total cash inflow of US$55.7 million was reported for the year ended 31 December 2011. Despite higher EBITDA, net cash generated by operations, before interest and tax, was slightly lower, due to working capital movements, principally associated with increased mining and processing activity levels at Inata. At 31 December 2011, the Group had cash of US$105.2 million, debt of US$29.0 million and net cash of US$76.2 million, compared with a net debt position at 31 December 2010 of US$28.5 million.

A summary of the movements in cash and debt is set out below:

DEPRECIATION

The Group's depreciation charge reduced from US$48.0 million in the year ended 31 December 2010 to US$39.0 million in the year ended 31 December 2011. Depreciation at Inata increased from US$32.5m to US$38.9m, driven by an increase in gold production and continued investment in capex since first gold was poured in December 2009.

No depreciation was charged in respect of Penjom and North Lanut, in accordance with IFRS, as these assets were classed as held for sale during 2011, following the agreement of sale terms with their eventual buyer in December 2010.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The Group's capital expenditure in the year was US$83.4 million analysed as follows:

Exploration activity in West Africa increased significantly in 2011 with accelerated drilling programmes taking place in Guinea and in Burkina Faso. In addition to the US$31.9 million of deferred exploration expenditure (compared with US$9.9 million in 2010) shown in the cash flow statement within investing activities, a further US$1.8 million exploration support costs were expensed within other cost of sales during the year.

Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment in West Africa totalled US$47.3 million. Significant investments in the year included the purchase of a third mining fleet (US$14 million), extension of the tailings storage facility (US$10 million), plant enhancements (US$9 million), barrage enhancements (US$6 million), and site buildings (US$5 million).

In light of the agreement to sell South East Asia, which was signed in December 2010 and largely completed in June 2011, exploration and capital expenditure in Malaysia and Indonesia was restricted to levels required to ensure the assets were transferred in good order.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) EBITDA represents earnings before exceptional items, finance items, depreciation and amortisation. EBITDA is not defined by IFRS but is commonly used as an indication of underlying cash generation.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2011

1. Basis of preparation

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and of its subsidiary undertakings; the Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations as adopted by the European Union at 31 December 2011.

2. Audit informatioN

The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated statement of financial position at 31 December 2011 and the consolidated income statement, consolidated cash flow statement and other primary statements and associated notes (excluding note 35) for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011 (which have not yet been filed with Companies House) upon which the auditor's opinion is unqualified, and does not include any statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2010 have been filed with Companies House.The auditor's opinion was unqualified, and did not include any statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006

3. Going concern

The directors have reviewed future cash forecasts, with particular reference to the Company's debt servicing obligations and associated covenants as well as its capital investment plans at Inata, and have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate resources to meet its commitments and to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

4. Segmental Reporting

(a) Expensed exploration and other cost of sales represents costs not directly related to production, including exploration expenditure not capitalised;

(b) Includes amounts in respect of the amortisation of closure provision at Inata;

(c) Includes US$3,078,000 exceptional cost of listing on the London Stock Exchange;

(d) EBITDA represents earnings before exceptional items, finance items, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

4. Segmental Reporting (continued)

(e) Includes depreciation and amortisation, share based payments, movement in provisions, taxation in the income statement and non-operating items in the income statement;

(f) Other cash movements include deferred consideration paid, cash flows from financing activities, and exchange losses.

4. Segmental Reporting (continued)