PAN AFRICAN RESOURCES PLC - Update on Evander Mines

London, April 10

Evander Mines refurbishment programme

Shareholders are referred to the announcement of 20 February 2017, in which the Company communicated the suspension of the Evander Mines underground mining operations to allow for critical refurbishment and maintenance of Evander Mines’ 7 and 8 shaft infrastructure.

Pan African is pleased to advise that the refurbishment of the 7 and 8 shaft complex is progressing according to schedule and is expected to be completed on 15 April 2017 within the original R40m cost estimate. The refurbishment programme entailed, inter alia, the following:

• replacement of the 7 shaft pump columns support infrastructure;
• replacement of a damaged section of the main pump column at the 7 shaft;
• replacement of the water reticulation system between the 7 and 8 shafts (3 stage pump column);
• removal of redundant shaft steelwork at the 7A and 8 shafts;
• repairs to the 7 and 7A shaft bottoms; and
• an assessment of all other underground infrastructure critical to maintaining and sustaining production.

Evander Mines’ 7A shaft (which is utilised for rock hoisting) has also normalised hoisting speed to 13 metres per second (hoisting speed was reduced to 8 metres per second for the period in which repairs were being effected).

During the refurbishment period, on-mine management also focused on the preparation of the Evander Mines underground mining areas for re-commencement of mining, with an emphasis on:

• securing and opening up of stope entrances and traveling ways;
• opening and securing critical material and development drives;
• construction of additional underground dams to ensure adequate water storage capacity;
• improving ventilation system and infrastructure; and
• retraining of all underground miners to ensure the implementation of a clean, safe and sustainable mining plan.

Underground mining operations at Evander Mines will recommence following the completion of the refurbishment programme, which is expected on or about 15 April 2017, with the hoisting of approximately 6,000 tonnes of mined ore currently stored within the Evander Mines underground infrastructure. The processing of these tonnes will assist with the expeditious ramp-up of Evander Mines’ underground production profile.