Granting of Patent

23 August 2012

Alexander Mining plc

('Alexander' or the 'Company')

Patent Granted in Australia for a method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore

Alexander is pleased to report that it has received notification that its MetaLeach Limited ("MetaLeach") subsidiary has been granted a patent in Australia for a Method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore, patent number 2010254596. 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 Australian patent is derived).

The patent describes a method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore, the method 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: "The technology described in the patent has application for the extraction of cobalt from a range of oxidised or non-sulphide deposits. Moreover, the patent is a significant addition to our valuable and growing portfolio of intellectual property patents granted and pending".

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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are in Company documents filed from time to time with the TSX Venture Exchange and provincial securities regulators, most of which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements unless required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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

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35 Piccadilly

London

W1J 0DW

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7292 1300

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7292 1313

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.alexandermining.com

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