Cobalt Patent Granted in USA

30 August 2013

Alexander Mining plc

('Alexander' or the 'Company')

Patent Granted in USA for a Method for Leaching Cobalt from Oxidised Cobalt Ores

Alexander is pleased to report that it has received notification that its MetaLeach Limited ("MetaLeach") subsidiary has been granted a patent in the USA for a Method for leaching cobalt from oxidised cobalt ores, patent number 8,486,355. The patent has a standard term of twenty years from the effective date of 6 August 2010 (being the date of original filing of the PCT Application from which the US patent is derived).

The patent describes a method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore, comprising the method steps of:

· curing the non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore to be leached through the application of an aqueous solution of a cobalt reducing agent selected from the group: iron (II) salts, sulphite salts, sulphur dioxide, and combinations thereof; at a pressure of between about atmospheric pressure and about 5 atmospheres, at a temperature between about 5°C and about 65°C;

· wherein the pH of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent is between about 1.0 and 10.0; and wherein the relative volumes of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent and the non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore to be leached are such that the combination of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent and the non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore to be leached forms a mixture with a solids content not less than about 100 g/L of aqueous solution;

· substantially retaining the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent in contact with the non-lateritic oxidised cobalt; and

· leaching the cured ore at a pressure of between about atmospheric pressure and about 5 atmospheres, at a temperature between about 5°C and about 65°C, through the application of an ammonium carbonate solution containing free ammonia thereby producing a pregnant leach solution; then passing the pregnant leach solution resulting to a means for cobalt recovery.

Martin Rosser, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"Cobalt is a core target metal for the commercialisation of our intellectual property. The USA patent is complementary to corresponding previously announced granted patents in Australia and South Africa.

The technology described in the patent has potential application for the extraction of cobalt from a range of oxidised or non-sulphide deposits. This applies especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which hosts around half of the world's resources and where the government has exerted strong pressure to see more cobalt metal, or high value added interim product, produced in country; compared to currently nearly all cobalt exported in concentrate form."

Forward Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward looking statements, being statements which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, exploration results, resource or reserve estimates, anticipated production or results, sales, revenues, costs, "best-efforts" financings or discussions of future plans and objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements unless required by law.

ENDS

For further information please contact: 

Martin Rosser Matt Sutcliffe

Chief Executive Officer Executive Chairman

Mobile: + 44 (0) 7770 865 341 Mobile: +44 (0) 7887 930 758

Alexander Mining plc

1st Floor

35 Piccadilly

London

W1J 0DW

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7292 1300

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7292 1313

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.alexandermining.com

Public/Media Relations

Britton Financial PR

Tim Blackstone

+44 (0) 20 7242 9786