Commissioning of a New Unit at Ekibastuz GRES-1

21December 2012

KAZAKHMYS PLC ANNOUNCES THE COMMISSIONING OF A NEW UNIT ATEKIBASTUZ GRES-1 AND A NEW ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR

Kazakhmys PLC announces the successful completion of the commissioning of Unit 8 at Ekibastuz GRES-1, taking capacity at the power station from 2,500 MW to 3,000 MW. The commissioning of Unit 8 commenced in July, following a three year refurbishment programme. The commissioning has been delivered on schedule and within the original $156 million budget.

Ekibastuz GRES-1, the largest power station in Kazakhstan, is undergoing a major refurbishment and modernisation programme to return the power station to its nameplate capacity of 4,000 MW by 2017. The power station now has six operational turbines. Rehabilitation of the dormant Units 2 and 1 will be completed in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Funding for the increase in capacity is being provided from the internally generated cashflows of Ekibastuz GRES-1.

In addition to the commissioning of the new turbine, Ekibastuz GRES-1 has completed the installation of an electrostatic precipitator at Unit 4 in December 2012. The new equipment will increase the ash trapping ratio of Unit 4 to 99.6% further improving the efficiency and the environmental footprint of the power station. Electrostatic precipitators are now installed at four of the six operational turbines, with the remaining electrostatic precipitators expected to be installed by 2013. Electrostatic precipitators will also be installed at the currently dormant Units 1 and 2 as part of their rehabilitation programme.

Oleg Novachuk, Chief Executive Officer of Kazakhmys said: "The commissioning of Unit 8 marks the successful completion of a major milestone in the modernisation programme at Ekibastuz GRES-1 on time and on budget. The increase in power generation is important both for Ekibastuz GRES-1 and is critical to meeting the power needs to support the continued economic growth in Kazakhstan."

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Kazakhmys PLC is a leading international natural resources group with significant interests in copper, gold, zinc, silver and power generation.

It is the largest copper producer in Kazakhstan and one of the top worldwide with 16 operating mines, 10 concentrators and 2 copper smelters. Kazakhmys Mining operations are fully integrated from mining ore through to the production of finished copper cathode and rod. Total copper cathode equivalent produced in 2011 from own ore was 299 thousand tonnes. Production is backed by a captive power supply and significant rail infrastructure.

Kazakhmys Mining produces significant volumes of other metals, including zinc, silver and gold. In 2011, it produced 140 thousand tonnes of zinc in concentrate. The Group is amongst the largest silver producers in the world with 13 million ounces produced in 2011.

Kazakhmys Power has a 50% interest in the coal fired Ekibastuz GRES-1 plant, the largest in Kazakhstan. The plant is undergoing a modernisation programme, including the commissioning of a sixth turbine to take capacity to 3,000 MW and ultimately to allow the plant to reach its nameplate capacity of 4,000 MW. Kazakhmys Power also operates the captive coal mines and power stations which supply electricity to the Mining Division.

The Group is part of the FTSE-100 index of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and is also listed on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) and Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE). It had revenues from continuing operations of $3.6 billion in 2011 with an operating profit of $1.2 billion. The Group employs around 60,000 people, principally in Kazakhstan. The Group's strategic aim is to optimise its current operations, deliver its major growth projects and to diversify and participate in the development of the significant natural resource opportunities in Central Asia.