LON - Lonmin Plc - Clarification of Lonmin`s rights to dispose of associated minerals
Further to its announcement dated 5 August, Lonmin Plc ("Lonmin") is pleased to announce that it has received confirmation in writing today from the Department of Mineral Resources of the Government of South Africa ("DMR") which rescinds with immediate effect its instruction, dated 3 August, requiring Lonmin to refrain from selling Nickel, Copper, Chrome and any other minerals (`associated minerals`) other than Platinum Group Metals. The Company will notify its customers that deliveries of associated minerals will recommence immediately.
The DMR has further confirmed that all of Lonmin's Section 102 applications have been approved, thereby clarifying Lonmin`s right to mine and dispose of associated minerals at all its properties other than the small area which is subject to the prospecting right issued to Keysha Investments 220 (Pty) Ltd ("Keysha"), a Holgoun group company.
Lonmin would like to thank the DMR for its cooperation in expediting the approval of these Section 102 applications.
The disputed prospecting right granted to Keysha covers a small area of Lonmin property where only UG2 is currently mined. Sales of associated minerals from this area amounted to approximately US$11 million in 2009. Lonmin appealed against both the acceptance of the application in March 2009 and against the award of the right in June 2010. Lonmin remains entitled to mine and dispose of the associated minerals mined from this area.
Statement issued by Lonmin through the JSE's SENS Service, August 11 2010