Metallurgical Results from Namibian Copper Project

North River Resources plc / Ticker: NRRP / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining

8 March 2012

North River Resources plc ('North River' or 'the Company')

Metallurgical Results from Namibian Copper Projects

North River Resources plc, the AIM listed multi-commodity resource company focused on Southern Africa, is pleased to announce positive results from metallurgical testwork completed on samples from the Malachite Pan Copper Project ('Malachite Pan'), within the Witvlei Licence Area, and the Koperberg Copper Project, ('Koperberg') within the Dordabis Licence Area, as a precursor to commencing a feasibility study in 2012.

In addition, exploration programmes are continuing on existing licence areas in Namibia with the aim of expanding JORC resources and advancing numerous known prospects.

Overview:

·; Excellent copper and silver recoveries achievable at Malachite Pan, using froth flotation testing, which the Board believes demonstrates encouraging economic potential

·; For the purpose of the testwork, samples from Malachite Pan were segregated into two composite samples, one representing the oxide fraction of the deposit, the other the sulphide fraction

·; Recoveries of 82.4% copper ('Cu') and 77.7% silver ('Ag') were achieved from the oxide sample

·; Recoveries of 92.8% Cu and 83.5% Ag were achieved from the sulphide sample

·; At Koperberg the samples consisted of both oxide and sulphide fractions - recovery of 83% Cu was achieved

·; A drill programme of approximately 6,000 metres is planned at Malachite Pan commencing in April 2012 with the intention of progressing to feasibility stage by Q3 2012

North River Managing Director David Steinepreis said, "These very encouraging recoveries, especially at Malachite Pan, reinforce our confidence that the project can be developed into a profitable mining operation. Together with the recent maiden JORC resource at Malachite Pan, the results support North River's 2012 plans to complete approximately 6,000 metres of drilling at the Malachite Pan project and to advance both technical and environmental studies to support a mining operation. We are also commencing programmes with the aim of expanding our known resources and exploring numerous known prospects."

Further Information on the Metallurgical Testwork Programme

Diamond drilling was completed at both the Malachite Pan and Koperberg projects in 2011 in order to obtain material for metallurgical investigation. The drilling was designed to intersect the thicker areas of the deposit based on in-house resource models.

The testwork was completed on approximately 200kg of half diamond core drilled at Koperberg and 180kg of half diamond core drilled at Malachite Pan. The testing was completed at Kupfermelt Metal Processing in South Africa under the direction of Mr. Johann Steynberg. Check assays on original samples and flotation concentrates were performed by Genalysis in Australia.

Malachite Pan Resources

For the purpose of the testwork the samples from Malachite Pan were composited into two samples, one representing the oxide fraction of the deposit, the other the sulphide fraction. The sample head grades were 2.47% Cu and 14.27 g/t Ag for the oxide composite and 1.72% Cu and 10.58 g/t Ag for the sulphide composite.

The froth flotation testing of the oxide composite yielded recoveries of 82.4% Cu and 77.7%. Recoveries of 92.8% Cu and 83.5% Ag were achieved from the sulphide composite. The optimum grind size was established to be 80% passing 45 microns.

The overall flotation residence time was established to be 50 minutes total made up of a 20 minute sulphide flotation stage and a 30 minute oxide flotation stage. The Bond Work Index was calculated to be 13.65kWh/t.

These high recoveries, particularly the higher than expected recoveries in the oxide material, are positive for the project economics as these offer improved returns in the early stages of the mining operation.

The high head grade of the sample material delivered for testing compared to the JORC indicated resource grade, (2.47% Cu and 14.27 g/t Ag compared to 1.36% Cu and 7.47 g/t Ag) also show the potential for the deposit to support a mine plan initially targeting higher grade material, which could significantly improve the economics of the project.

Koperberg Resource

The samples from Koperberg were combined into one sample consisting of both oxide and sulphide fractions. Froth flotation testing yielded recoveries of 83% Cu. The optimum grind size was established to be 80% passing 45 microns.

The overall flotation residence time was established to be 60 minutes in total, made up of a 20 minute sulphide flotation stage and a 40 minute oxide flotation stage. The Bond Work Index was calculated to be 12.95kWh/t.

JORC Resources

North River has recently announced maiden and upgraded JORC resources at Malachite Pan and Koperberg. Using a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade the current JORC compliant resources are detailed in the table below:

Regional Exploration Programme

Both Malachite Pan and Koperberg are located within prospective areas with numerous known prospects in close proximity. In 2012, the Company will focus primarily on the Malachite Pan Project and the wider Witvlei Licence Area. Work will be centred on extending the Malachite Pan deposit and with this in mind it is expected that drilling will re-commence in mid April 2012 once further mapping and data analysis has been completed. The aim of the next drilling campaign will be to deliver a resource model of sufficient detail to support a feasibility study. It is currently anticipated that the feasibility study will commence in Q4 2012.

Additionally, the Company will focus on upgrading other known copper prospects and exploring for new prospects under cover. An airborne magnetic survey will be completed at Witvlei in Q1 2012.

At the Witvlei project, the Company has numerous prospects at various stages of exploration within 30km of the Malachite Pan resource. The most advanced of these is Okasewa, 20km to the southwest, where 35,000m of historic drilling has defined an in house resource (non code compliant) of 4.6 million tonnes grading 1.14% Cu and 4.4 g/t Ag albeit in a slightly different geological setting.

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.northriverresources.com or contact:

Notes:

North River Resources plc is an AIM listed resource exploration and development company. Its current portfolio includes gold, base metal and uranium assets in Namibia; uranium, and base and precious metal interests in Mozambique. North River's strategy is to identify, acquire and develop a portfolio of resource opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa at various stages of development in order to create value for its shareholders. The Company has a highly experienced board and management of industry and corporate professionals, led by David Steinepreis and Luke Bryan.