JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — (Marketwire) — 07/22/11 — AngloGold Ashanti Limited („AngloGold Ashanti“) (NYSE: AU) has entered into an agreement to acquire ownership over the 47,065,916 shares in First Uranium Corporation („First Uranium“) held by Village Main Reef Limited („Village“), which equates to a 19.79% interest in First Uranium, for CAD0.60 per share (ZAR4.3569 per share or USD0.64 per share) representing aggregate consideration of approximately CAD28 million (ZAR205 million or USD30 million) the rand equivalent of which is payable in cash by AngloGold Ashanti to Village. Prior to this acquisition AngloGold Ashanti held no interest in First Uranium.
The acquisition was effected by AngloGold Ashanti for investment purposes. This investment will be reviewed from time to time by AngloGold Ashanti. Depending on various factors, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, AngloGold Ashanti may in the future take such actions with respect to its investment in First Uranium as it deems appropriate including, without limitation, acquiring additional securities of First Uranium, selling or otherwise disposing of some or all of its securities of First Uranium or changing its intention with respect to any and all matters referred to above.
Furthermore, Village has granted lock-up rights and rights of first refusal to AngloGold Ashanti for its remaining approximately 5.7% stake in First Uranium and its holding of approximately ZAR392.8 million convertible notes issued by First Uranium.
This transaction will be notified to the Competition Authorities in South Africa.
First Uranium is incorporated in Canada with a primary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited. First Uranium is a gold and uranium producer with two primary assets, both located in South Africa — the Ezulwini Mine outside Westonaria, Gauteng and the Mine Waste Solutions tailings recovery operation located adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti-s existing Vaal River operations.
In addition to being Africa-s largest gold producer, AngloGold Ashanti is also South Africa-s largest uranium producer. AngloGold Ashanti-s uranium production during 2010 (as a by-product of its gold operations) amounted to 1.46 million pounds.
A copy of the early warning report in respect of the acquisition of First Uranium shares by AngloGold Ashanti required to be filed under applicable Canadian securities laws can be found at under First Uranium-s profile or can be obtained from AngloGold Ashanti by contacting, Lynda Eatwell, Company Secretary at 76 Jeppe Street, Marshalltown, 2107, South Africa or by phone on +27 11 637 6000 or by fax on +27 11 637 6677 or by e-mail to .
Contacts
Alan Fine (Media) +27 (0) 11 637-6383 +27 (0) 83 250 0757
Mike Bedford (Investors) +27 (0) 11 637 6273 +27 (0) 82 3748820
Stewart Bailey (Investors) +1 212 836 4303 +1 646 338 4337
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