Smo Gold Regulatory News (BARS)

23 May 2011 11:37

BLOCK LISTING SIX MONTHLY RETURN

Information provided on this form must be typed or printed electronically.

To: The FSADate: 23 May 2011Name of applicant: BlackRock Absolute Return Strategies Ltd Name of scheme: General Purpose Block Listing Scheme Period of return: From: 22 November 2010 To: 22 May 2011 Balance under scheme from previous a) 468,754 Sterling denominated shares return: b) 259,754 US Dollar denominated shares c) 218,521 Euro denominated shares Plus: The amount by which the block a) - scheme(s) has been increased, if the scheme has been increased since the b) - date of the last return (if any increase has been applied for): c) - Less: Number of securities issued/ a) - allotted under scheme(s) during period (see LR3.5.7G): b) - c) -

Equals: Balance under scheme(s) not a) 468,754 Sterling denominated shares yet issued/allotted at end of period

b) 259,754 US Dollar denominated shares c) 218,521 Euro denominated shares Name of contact: Kerry V Higgins Telephone number of contact: 020 7743 1089