Update regarding Sasa Tailings Storage Facility 4

17 September 2020

CENTRAL ASIA METALS PLC

('CAML' or the 'Company')

Update regarding Sasa's Tailings Storage Facility 4 ('TSF4')

Central Asia Metals plc (AIM: CAML) today announces an update following the 14 September 2020 leakage at its Sasa TSF4.

Following approval from the North Macedonian environmental authorities, the Sasa mine and processing plant will now recommence operations. This has been possible due to the identification of an area of storage capacity in the previous tailings facility, TSF3.2. The authorities have agreed to the placement of tailings generated for up to 10 days being stored in TSF3.2.

It is currently anticipated that TSF4 could be repaired and secured within approximately one to two weeks and initial remedial works are underway. In addition, the Company is working closely with the authorities to ensure that any environmental damage is addressed as soon as possible.  

The exact cause of the incident is not yet confirmed, and the investigation is still underway comprising CAML's Chief Operating Officer and Sustainability Director, the Sasa team, national experts and the North Macedonian authorities. The Company has also retained the services of global consultants, Knight Piésold Limited.

In addition to the structural dam repairs that are underway, the causes of the incident must be fully understood in order to implement any necessary engineering solutions for the future ahead of the facility reopening.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

For further information contact:

Note to editors:

Central Asia Metals, an AIM-listed UK company based in London, owns 100% of the Kounrad SX-EW copper project in central Kazakhstan and 100% of the Sasa zinc-lead mine in North Macedonia.

For further information, please visit:  www.centralasiametals.com and https://twitter.com/CamlMetals