KIO - Kumba Iron Ore Limited - High Court decision in relation to the

KIO - Kumba Iron Ore Limited - High Court decision in relation to the           
residual Sishen Mine Mineral Rights                                             
Kumba Iron Ore Limited                                                          
A member of the Anglo American plc group                                        
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                   
Registration number 2005/015852/06)                                             
JSE Share code: KIO                                                             
ISIN: ZAE000085346                                                              
("Kumba")                                                                       
HIGH COURT DECISION IN RELATION TO THE RESIDUAL SISHEN MINE MINERAL RIGHTS      
The North Gauteng High Court handed down its order today in relation to the     
residual Sishen mining rights.                                                  
In terms of its order, the High Court ruled that when the Department of         
Mineral Resources effected a conversion of Sishen Iron Ore Company (Pty)        
Ltd`s ("SIOC") old order mining right in 2008, SIOC was granted the             
exclusive right to mine at the Sishen Mine.  The Court indicated that it        
reached this conclusion by interpreting the content of the mining right         
which was granted to SIOC.                                                      
The Court held that no other party may be granted the right to mine iron ore    
or quartzite at the Sishen Mine.  The Court also reviewed and set aside the     
grant of the prospecting right to Imperial Crown Trading 289 (Pty) Ltd.         
The detailed reasons for the judgement will be handed down next week.  SIOC     
will consider the Court`s decision once it receives the detailed judgment       
and will inform shareholders in the event that any further steps are            
required to be taken in this regard.                                            
The High Court order does not affect the interim supply agreement between       
AMSA and SIOC, which will endure until 31 July 2012.                            
As previously advised, AMSA and SIOC have agreed to delay the arbitration       
proceedings in relation to the Sishen Supply Agreement until the final          
resolution of the mining rights dispute.                                        
Pretoria                                                                        
For further information please contact:                                         
Anne Dunn                                                                       
Tel.: +27 (0)11 502 7404 / +27 (0)82 448 2684                                   
15 December 2011                                                                
Sponsor                                                                         
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)                       
Date: 15/12/2011 15:02:00 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
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