Operational update

Strategic Natural Resources Plc

("SNR" or the "Company")

Operational update

SNR, the AIM listed natural resources developer operating in South Africa, today announces an operational update at the coal mine owned and operated by its 74 per cent. owned subsidiary, Elitheni Coal (Pty) Limited ("Elitheni").

Following on from recent board changes the directors of SNR have implemented a full operational review and continue to evaluate ways in which they can strengthen the management and production capabilities at Elitheni. The Board has already allocated and will continue to provide all necessary support and resources to ensure that local management complete the project start-up phase within the shortest possible timeframe.

The SNR board acknowledges and regrets that key delivery targets have been missed due to various factors, including wash plant engineering and commissioning issues and the on-going optimisation and supply chain challenges associated with establishing a mine in the Eastern Cape for the first time in over 100 years. These challenges, which contributed to our failure to meet our planned shipment in late January/early February 2013, continue to be actively addressed by the Company and Elitheni's management. However the Board is pleased with the progress achieved to date and is currently working with Trasteel (the Company's off-take partner) to firm up a new delivery schedule for its coal, beginning early in the 2nd quarter of the year.

Gabriel Ruhan, SNR's CEO, commented: "I remain excited about the value proposition that Elitheni offers investors and acknowledge that to restore confidence in that value we must deliver on our promises in the future."

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For further information about Strategic Natural Resources plc please visit www.snrplc.co.uk