Central Asia Metals Regulatory News (CAML)

27 September 2012

Ticker: CAML (AIM)

Central Asia Metals plc ("the Group", "the Company" or "CAML")

Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2012

Central Asia Metals plc (AIM:CAML), a mining company with operations in Kazakhstan and Mongolia is pleased to announce unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2012. The Company commenced production of copper cathodes at its flagship plant,Kounrad, in Kazakhstan, during the period following completion of the construction of a10,000 tonne per annum Solvent Extraction-Electro Winning (SX-EW) plant in April 2012.

Highlights

Operational

·; Completed constructionofKounrad SX-EW copper plant for $39million, $8millionlower than budgeted

·; Production commenced on 29 April 2012

·; 1,728 tonnes of copper cathodes produced at Kounrad in the two months to 30 June 2012

·; 1,386tonnes of copper cathodes sold to Traxys in the period

·; Agreement to purchase an additional 40% of theKounrad project for 8.6m shares in the Company, subject to State approval

·; 1 year extension to the exploration licence at Alag Bayan in Mongolia obtained in March 2012

Financial

·; Revenues of $6.8million, $10.5 million on a 100% Kounradproject basis

·; Cost of sales of $2.1million (inclusive of selling and distribution costs), $2.6million on a 100% Kounrad project basis

·; Cost of production of $1,058 per tonne ($0.48/lb)

·; Cost of sales of $1,878 per tonne($0.85/lb), inclusive of Mineral Extraction Tax and Distribution and Selling costs

·; Consolidated profit before tax of $0.5million (H1 2011: loss of $1.8million)

·; Cash and cash equivalents of $10.3 million as at 30 June 2012

·; No outstanding debt

Update to 26 September 2012 and Outlook

·; Total production to date of 4,318 tonnes of cathode copper - production of2,590 tonnes to date in Q3 2012

·; Designed production capacity achieved ahead of schedule

·; Total sales of 3,993 tonnes of cathode copper

·; Cash and cash equivalents of $24.5 million

·; 2012 production target increased from 5,000 tonnes to 5,750 tonnes

·; Heads of Agreement signed post period end for the sale of Ereen and Handgait

·; Share buy-back scheme initiated post period end on 2 July 2012. As at 26 September 2012, 643,438 shares had been purchased at a weighted average price of 89.03 pence per share

Nick Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, commented

"This has been a successful period for the Company with the commissioning of the SX-EW plant at Kounrad during which the design capacity was achieved for an extended period of time. Since 29 April 2012,we have produced 4,318 tonnes of cathode copper with Q3 2012 production to date in excess of 2,590 tonnes.The completion of the Kounradconstruction for $39million, some $8million under budget, and the smooth transition to a production facility is a testament to both the design of the plant and our dedicated and skilled workforce.

As a consequence of the performance of the plant and the production to date, we are pleased to announce a 15% increase in our 2012 production targetto 5,750 tonnes. We have generated positive cash flow since commencing production and will seek to use this in the most effective way to enhance shareholder value. The Company continues to focus on its flagship asset at Kounrad and the possibility of expanding production at the site in the short to medium term.

In Mongolia, we remain focussed on obtaining a mining licence at Alag Bayan and completing the recently announced sale of Ereen and Handgait."

For further information please visit www.centralasiametals.com. (The content of the CAML website should not be considered to form part of or be incorporated into this announcement)

Enquiries:

Operating & Financial Review

Kazakhstan (Kounrad)

Completion of Construction

The main focus during the first four months of the period under review was the completion of the construction phase of the SX-EW copper plant. Good progress was made on all outstanding construction works during Q1 2012 and by early April 2012, the SX-EW plant was materially completed and the commissioning phase commenced.

At 30 June 2012,the final cost of construction was assessed at $39million, inclusive of allocated overheads, which represents an overall saving of $8million against the original budget of $47 million and the entire construction process took 20 months.

Commissioning and early stage production

Wet commissioning commenced during April with the introduction to the system of the organic reagents.Copper rich leach solution("PLS") was introduced into theSX circuit in mid April 2012 and the EW circuit energised soon thereafter to enable plating of cathode copper to commence.

On 29 April 2012, the first copper cathodes were harvested with a total weight of 33 tonnes being achieved on the first day of production.By 30 June 2012, production totalled 1,728 tonnes of copper cathodes and 1,386 tonnes were sold through anoff-take arrangement with Traxys. The EW cells and associated electrical supply system were fully tested to their design capacity in the first two months of operation. The commissioning and ramp up process has continued smoothly throughout the summer months.

In late May 2012, the Company hosted a successful site visit for the CAML Board of Directors, professional advisers, analysts, investors and local dignitaries. The site visit marked the completion of the construction phaseand smooth transition into production. In addition, it was an opportunity to thank the staff for their hard work and professionalism over the past few years in achieving the Company's objectives at Kounrad.

The plant received its official certificate of commissioning by the local authorities in late August 2012and all of the necessary process plant operating permits have been obtained in compliance with local regulations.

Resource Evaluation

The Company continues to evaluate the eastern and western dumps with the intention of achieving a JORC compliant resource statement for the majority of the dump material on site during Q1 2013. This resource evaluation work is on track and all the drilling and trenching works have now been completed, with the samples submitted for assay. Wardell Armstrong International ("WAI") has been commissioned to prepare the resource estimate.

Studies for Second SX-EW plant

In parallel to the resource evaluation, the Company is continuing to assess the technical and economic viability of constructing a second plant to treat the westernsulphide and mixed waste dumps. Throughout the period this has included the continued operation of the pilot plant, column leach testing on various samples taken from the dumps together with site investigations and environmental studies on the proposed location for the second plant.

Project Ownership

As announced on 2 February 2012 and also reported in the 2011 Annual Report, the Companyhas agreed to acquire an additional 40% in the Kounrad project to increase CAML's ownership of Kounradto 100%. The transaction is undergoing State approval within Kazakhstan.

Mongolia (Alag Bayan, Ereen,Handgait)

Alag Bayan

In early 2012, the Company agreed an earn-in arrangement with Ibex Mongolia LLC (previously GoviEx Mongolia LLC).The agreement statesthat Ibex would be granted a 35% interest in the project subject to certain criteria being met. During Q1 2012, Ibex undertook a drill programme and satisfied the terms for the earn-in. In late March 2012, a one year extension to the exploration licence was granted by the Mongolian authorities.

A further exploration programme is currently being finalised between CAML and Ibex Mongolia LLC with the intention of allowing an application for a mining licence to be made by April 2013 and to better understand the geological potential of the licence area.

Ereen and Handgait

CAML appointed Cutfield Freeman&Co in February 2012 to oversee the marketing and sale processof Ereen and HandgaitFollowing receipt of expressions of interest from a number of parties, an exclusivity agreement was reached with Mongolia Resources Corporation Limited (ASX: MUB) in early September 2012 for the sale of the assets. The agreement is subject to final due diligence with the aim to complete by the end of 2012.

Financial Review

Income Statement

The Kounrad project is operated and managed on a 60:40 joint venture basis in line with current shareholdings. Consequently, all the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are proportionately consolidatedon that basis.

During the six month period to 30 June 2012, the Group earned a profit before tax of $0.5million (H1 2011: loss of $1.8million). Production commenced in late April 2012 and in the first two months a total of 1,728 tonnes of cathode copper had been harvested out of which 1,386 tonnes were shipped from the site under an off-take agreement with Traxys.

These initial deliveries of cathode copper generated gross project revenues of $10.6million, which on a proportionately consolidated basis, resulted in Group revenues of $6.3million for the period. A further $0.5million of revenue was generated by the sale of 64 tonnes of cathode copper produced from the small scale pilot plant at Kounrad. Consequently, Group revenues for the period totalled $6.8million (H1 2011:$1.2million)with an average price achieved for copper sold of $7,588 per tonne ($3.44/lb).

The total cost of production for the period, inclusive of Mineral Extraction Tax (MET), was $1.8million (H1 2011:$1.0million) on a proportionately consolidated basis. This comprises $0.6million for the costs associated with the pilot plant sales and $1.2million for the initial sales at the newly constructed 10,000 tonne per annum SX-EW plant. The initial deliveries of cathode copper have been shipped to end customers in Turkey under arrangements with Traxys. The costs associated with these deliveries are still being finalised but are estimated at $0.3million on a proportionately consolidated basis.

Thetotal cost of sales for the period is $2.1million (H1 2011: $1.0million)and this equates to a cost per tonne of copper, inclusive of Mineral Extraction Tax and Distribution and Selling costs of $1,878 per tonne ($0.85/lb).

General and Administrative costs incurred across the Group during the six month period to 30 June 2012 include the payment of construction bonuses paid to staff covering a two year period from the commencement of construction in August 2010. These bonuses were payable on certain conditions associated with the construction project and the subsequent physical production of cathode copper from the plant.

Excluding bonus payments, the General and Administrative costs across the Group were $2.8million (H1 2011:$2.4million) on a proportionately consolidated basis. In Kazakhstan, the office in Almaty was closed at the end of March 2012 and all staff relocated to Balkhash.

In Mongolia the Group reported a profit for the six month period to 30 June 2012 of $0.4million. This was primarily as a consequence of foreign exchange movements due to a 4% appreciation of the Mongolian Tugrik (MNT).

Balance Sheet

As at 30 June 2012, the Group had $72.5million of assets on a proportionately consolidated basis (H12011:$69.4million). Property, plant and equipment of $23.2million (H12011: $22.4million) or $37.4million on a 100% basis reflect the completion of the construction phase of the Kounrad project.

Long-term trade and other receivables increased to $15.4million in the six month period under review (H1 2011: $12.4million). This balance consists of $2.1million of VAT recoverable in Kazakhstan and a further recoverable amount of $13.3million from the project cash flows as a priority repayment of the loans forwarded by CAML to finance the capital costs of the project.

The Group had $10.3million of cash in hand on a proportionately consolidated basis (H1 2011:$16.0million). The Group has no external debt and there were minimal movements in equity during the six month period under review.

Outlook

Due to the successful commissioning phase of the project, the Company has raised its 2012 production target by 15% to 5,750 tonnes of cathode copper from 5,000 tonnes previously.The CAML management team remain focussed on optimising the SX-EW operations including preparing for operating the plant in the winter.The overall costs of production remain a priority focus and management remain confident about the plant's ability to deliver quality copper cathodes at industry competitive costs of production.

The technical and economic assessment of the sulphide and mixed waste dumps for a potential second SX-EW plant at the Kounrad site will continue through to the end of the year. A decision on the second plant will only be taken once the project ownership changes have been finalised. The Company will continue to work with the management of the SAT Group to complete the project ownership changes within the State approval framework and process in Kazakhstan.

The assessment of the Kounradoxide, sulphide and mixed waste resources to a JORC compliant statement will be completed during Q1 2013,in line with the target date set out at IPO.

In Mongolia, the Company aims to obtain sufficient geological data at Alag Bayan to allow an application for a mining licence to be made by April 2013. Finally, management hope to complete the sale of Ereen and Handgaitby the end of the year.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTOF FINANCIAL POSITION

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES OF EQUITY

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6 months ended 30 June 2012

Nature of Business

Central Asia Metals plc, a mining company with operations in Kazakhstan and Mongolia is pleased to announce unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2012. The Company has completed the construction of its 10,000 tonne per annum SX-EW plant in Kazakhstan and has now commenced production of cathode copper.

Basis of Preparation

The interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU) and implemented in the UK and in accordance with the AIM Rules.

The accounting policies, methods of computation and presentation used in the preparation of the interim financial information are the same as those used in the Group's audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011, which this interim consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with.

This Interim condensed consolidated statementfor the six months ended 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Interim condensed consolidated statement incorporates the results of the Group for the period from 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2012. The results for the year ended 31 December 2011 have been extracted from the statutory financial statements for the Company for the year ended 31 December 2011 which are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union. The interim consolidated financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and with IAS 34, interim financial reporting, as adopted by the European Union. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011.

After review of the Group's operations, financial position and forecasts, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the unaudited interim financial information.

1. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic profit /(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year excluding ordinary shares purchased by the Company and held as treasury shares.

2. Property, Plant and Equipment

3. Intangible Assets

4. Segmental Information

Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Board and decided that it would be appropriate to identify reportable segments on a project by project basis.

As at 30 June 2012, the Groupconsisted of the following 2 main business segments:

·; Kounrad - copper production and development in Kazakhstan.

·; Alag Bayan - copper and gold exploration in Mongolia.

The two business segments represent separate geographical areas and have independent cost structures and revenue streams related to production in the case of Kounrad and exploration in the case of Alag Bayan. The UK head office does not represent a separate segment.

Two business segments, namely Handgait and Ereen, have been classified as held for sale as at 30 June 2012. The Group also holds two other Mongolian based entities for sale (New CAML Mongolia LLC and Mongolian Silver Mountain LLC).

The Group operates out of three key geographical areas, being Kazakhstan, Mongolia and the UK, even though they are managed on a worldwide basis.

The Board assesses the performance of the operating segmentsbased on a number of operational and financial measures relevant to the stage of development of the project.

Exploration and Evaluation

The main indicators used for these projects relate to the numbers of holes drilled and the depth achieved together with the associated assay results and their impact on the assessment of potential reserves and resources. Financial performance is based on the estimated costs per metre for the drilling and the associated site overheads and any required infrastructure expenditure.

Development and Production

Once a project reaches this stage of maturity, the emphasis for assessing the performance of the projects switches to the measurement of product output and the associated revenues, operating costs or the monitoring of the estimated capital costs to develop the project.

The segment information of segmental results provided to the Board for the reportable segments for the six months period ended 30 June 2012 is as follows:

The segment information of segmental assets and liabilities provided to the Board for the reportable segments for the six months ended 30 June 2012 is as follows:

5. Trade and Other Receivables

6. Share Capital and Premium

During 6 months 2012 the Group had no balances attributable to non-controlling interests (6 months 2011: $Nil).

7. Cash Generated from operations

8. Commitments

At 30 June 2012 amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements amounted to $978,903for the Group (2011: $2,759,993).

9. Post Balance Sheet Events

In early September 2012 CAML entered into an exclusive agreement with Mongolia Resources CorporationLimited (ASX: MUB) for the sale of Ereenand Handgait together with CAML's in country management company, New CAML Mongolia LLC and a dormant company, Mongolian Silver Mountain LLC. Mongolia Resources Corporation Limited will acquire 100% of CAML Mongolia BV (a 100% subsidiary of CAML) and the holding company for CAML's Mongolian subsidiaries.

The acquisition is subject to satisfactory documentation and the completion of all due diligence with the aim to complete by the end of 2012.

On 02 July 2012 the Company initiated a share buy-back scheme and as at 26 September 2012 a total of 643,438 shares had been purchased at a weighted average price of 89.03 pence. The total number of outstanding ordinary shares in issue at 27 September 2012 was 85,522,496.