REG-Pan African Resources PLC: Update on Evander Mines <Origin Href="QuoteRef">PAFR.L</Origin>

Pan African ResourcesAnnouncement

10/04/2017 08:20

Pan African Resources PLC (Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under Companies Act 1985 with registered number 3937466 on 25 February 2000) AIM Code: PAF JSE Code: PAN ISIN: GB0004300496 (“Pan African” or the “Company”)          

UPDATE ON EVANDER GOLD MINING PROPRIETARY LIMITED (“EVANDER MINES”)
REFURBISHMENT AND COST OPTIMISATION PROGRAMME

Evander Mines refurbishment programme

Shareholders are referred to the announcement of 20 February 2017, in which
the Company communicated the suspension of the Evander Mines underground
mining operations to allow for critical refurbishment and maintenance of
Evander Mines’ 7 and 8 shaft infrastructure.

Pan African is pleased to advise that the refurbishment of the 7 and 8 shaft
complex is progressing according to schedule and is expected to be completed
on 15 April 2017 within the original R40m cost estimate. The refurbishment
programme entailed, inter alia, the following:
* replacement of the 7 shaft pump columns support infrastructure;
* replacement of a damaged section of the main pump column at the 7 shaft;
* replacement of the water reticulation system between the 7 and 8 shafts (3
stage pump column);
* removal of redundant shaft steelwork at the 7A and 8 shafts;
* repairs to the 7 and 7A shaft bottoms; and
* an assessment of all other underground infrastructure critical to
maintaining and sustaining production.
Evander Mines’ 7A shaft (which is utilised for rock hoisting) has also
normalised hoisting speed to 13 metres per second (hoisting speed was reduced
to 8 metres per second for the period in which repairs were being effected).

During the refurbishment period, on-mine management also focused on the
preparation of the Evander Mines underground mining areas for re-commencement
of mining, with an emphasis on:
* securing and opening up of stope entrances and traveling ways;
* opening and securing critical material and development drives;
* construction of additional underground dams to ensure adequate water storage
capacity;
* improving ventilation system and infrastructure; and
* retraining of all underground miners to ensure the implementation of a
clean, safe and sustainable mining plan.
Underground mining operations at Evander Mines will recommence following the
completion of the refurbishment programme, which is expected on or about 15
April 2017, with the hoisting of approximately 6,000 tonnes of mined ore
currently stored within the Evander Mines underground infrastructure. The
processing of these tonnes will assist with the expeditious ramp-up of Evander
Mines’ underground production profile.

Evander Mines cost optimisation programme

Shareholders are referred to the announcement of 10 March 2017, in which the
Company communicated that Evander Mines had concluded a retrenchment agreement
with the National Union of Mineworkers on 10 March 2017, with the
facilitation of the South African Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and
Arbitration. The retrenchment programme is currently being implemented and is
expected to be completed within the next month.

Johannesburg

10 April 2017

 Contact information                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
 Corporate Office The Firs Office Building 1st Floor, Office 101 Cnr. Cradock and Biermann Avenues Rosebank, Johannesburg South Africa Office: + 27 (0) 11 243 2900 Facsimile: + 27 (0) 11 880 1240  Registered Office Suite 31, Second Floor 107 Cheapside London EC2V 6DN United Kingdom Office: + 44 (0) 207 796 8644 Facsimile: + 44 (0) 207 796 8645  
 Cobus Loots Pan African Resources PLC Chief Executive Officer Office: + 27 (0) 11 243 2900                                                                                                          Deon Louw Pan African Resources PLC Financial Director Office: + 27 (0) 11 243 2900                                                                   
 Phil Dexter St James's Corporate Services Limited Company Secretary Office: + 44 (0) 207 796 8644                                                                                                   John Prior / Paul Gillam Numis Securities Limited Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker Office: +44 (0) 20 7260 1000                                     
 Sholto Simpson One Capital JSE Sponsor Office: + 27 (0) 11 550 5009                                                                                                                                 Matthew Armitt / Ross Allister Peel Hunt LLP Joint Broker Office: +44 (0) 207 418 8900                                                                
 Julian Gwillim Aprio Strategic Communications Public & Investor Relations SA Office: +27 (0)11 880 0037                                                                                             Jeffrey Couch/Neil Haycock/Thomas Rider BMO Capital Markets Limited Joint Broker Office: +44 (0) 207 236 1010                                         
 Bobby Morse/Chris Judd Buchanan Communications Public & Investor Relations UK Office: +44 (0) 207 466 5000                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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