Sierra Rutile briefing on the Ebola virus

Sierra Rutile Limited

Sierra Rutile briefing on the Ebola virus

London, UK, 5 August 2014: Sierra Rutile Limited (AIM: SRX) ("Sierra Rutile") provides a briefing on the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and precautionary measures which have been implemented at Sierra Rutile's operations.

There have been no reported or suspected cases of Ebola, to date, at Sierra Rutile's operations. Notwithstanding, Sierra Rutile has put in place precautionary measures to reduce the risks posed to its employees, contractors and visitors. These include:

· Restrictions on travel to affected areas for Sierra Rutile personnel;

· Limitation on access to Sierra Rutile's sites to non-essential visitors;

· Screening at Sierra Rutile's operations for early signs of the virus (e.g., raised temperature) is being replicated according to international best practice;

· Implementation of compulsory chlorinated hand-wash facilities at all entry points to operations and other selected locations (e.g., catering facilities); and

· Communication to employees and contractors on warning signs and actions if symptoms occur.

Furthermore, there have been no disruptions to Sierra Rutile's operations to date as a result of the general Ebola outbreak in the country, with all operations and services currently operating as normal. Nonetheless, Sierra Rutile has developed contingency plans that will be implemented, should the situation develop, to mitigate, as best as possible, risks to its people and disruption to its operations. Sierra Rutile is monitoring the evolution of the situation carefully to allow a rapid response if circumstances change and will provide updates as necessary.

The Ebola outbreak was confirmed in Sierra Leone in May 2014*, having first been identified in Guinea earlier in the year. The outbreak of the virus centred on the district of Kailahun in the East of Sierra Leone near the border with Guinea, approximately 300km from Sierra Rutile's operations that are located in the South West of the country. While cases of the virus have occurred outside the district of Kailahun, the Government of Sierra Leone has made a concerted effort to contain the virus within the region.

To support ongoing local and national efforts, Sierra Rutile has donated Le50 million to the local Bonthe and Moyamba District Councils for utilisation in their efforts to combat the disease and is engaging directly with the local communities in providing education on the disease. Sierra Rutile's health centre is operating as normal and additional facilities have been put in place for screening of patients with symptoms, including for confinement and isolation of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases should they occur. Sierra Rutile is also supporting the Government of Sierra Leone in its National Response Plan, and will continue to actively seek ways of facilitating the communities in which it operates.

Commenting on the situation, Sierra Rutile's CEO, John Sisay, said:

"We recognise and understand the concern that the recent international media attention on the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone may cause our employees, customers, investors and other stakeholders. We have been monitoring the development of the virus since it was first identified in Guinea over five months ago, which has allowed us to implement appropriate preventative measures and contingency plans to minimize the risks to our people and operations. We take the threat of the outbreak very seriously and are thankful that the virus has not impacted our workforce or our operations. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, as well as providing support to the Government and our local communities during this difficult time."

*Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/year/2014/en/

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About Sierra Rutile Limited

Sierra Rutile produces titanium feedstock industrial minerals (primarily rutile, with some associated ilmenite), as well as smaller quantities of zircon. Sierra Rutile's mine, located in the south west of Sierra Leone, is one of the largest natural rutile deposits in the world, with a JORC-Compliant Mineral Resource for measured, indicated and inferred resources for the Sierra Rutile mine of over 911 million tonnes (as at 30 September 2013).

www.sierra-rutile.com