Finalisation of a strategic agreement between Auplata and Newcrest Mining in the Ivory Coast

Auplata (Alternext - FR0010397760 - ALAUP), the leading listed French gold producer, is pleased to announce the finalisation of the strategic agreement that was first announced in March 2016 between its subsidiary OMCI (50% subsidiary) and a subsidiary of Newcrest Mining Limited, one of the largest mining groups in the world.

This agreement concerns the Mont Goma mining permits held by OMCI, located near Séguéla in the west of the Ivory Coast, covering a total area of about 674 km².

This agreement foresees the creation of a joint venture between OMCI and the local subsidiary of Newcrest and the terms that will allow the latter to acquire up to 75% in return for incurring exploration expenses of up to US$7,5 million over the next five years.

A geochemical prospecting campaign, undertaken in 2009 and 2010, highlighted 4 anomalous zones, for which the projected exploration work will aim to confirm their gold potential.

When this work is completed, OMCI will have the choice of maintaining its involvement in the joint venture, to agree to a dilution or to convert its interest into a royalty on future production.

Jean-François Fourt, Chairman and CEO of Auplata, commented:

« We're very happy to have been able to finalise this new agreement with a major force in the mining industry in a few months, which demosntrates once again the attractiveness of the mining legacy of our group. This agreement will allow our OMCI subsidiary to increase its development on the African continent. »

About Auplata

Based in French Guiana, Auplata is the largest French, stock-market listed gold producer. The Company has more than 700 sq km of mining permits and titles in French Guyana. Auplata operates an innovative industrial and financial strategy, aimed at developing and exploiting Guianese gold resources with the strong involvement of local players. The Company's objective is to offer sustainable exploitation for the Guianese mining industry.

Since June 2015, Auplata is a shareholder in the Côte d'Ivoire mining company OMCI, which owns two mining projects in Côte d'Ivoire.

Auplata's share capital consists of 53,782,311 shares listed on the Alternext market in Paris (Euronext). ISIN: FR0010397760 – ALAUP ; ICB: 1777 – Gold Mining.

For more information about Auplata go to www.auplata.fr.

Contacts:

ACTUS FINANCE

Mathieu Omnes - Investor relations - +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

Nicolas Bouchez - Press relations - +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74

Source: Actusnews