ENRC expects to incur in higher taxes and impairments for 2012

Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation has today announced that, taking into account the effect of one-off step-up gains and impairments, the effective-tax-rate (ETR) for the Group, for 2012, is expected to be around 45%.

The rate is above the previously guided level of 37% to 39%, mainly due to the write-off of the deferred tax asset by Aluminium of Kazakhstan ('AoK'), higher than expected expenditure on asset development and resulting unrecognised tax losses and, because of the adverse changes in commodity prices and market conditions, to which the ETR remains sensitive.

The Group has also announced that it is currently in the process of completing its annual impairment review. The Group expects to recognise non-cash impairment charges primarily for its alumina business in Kazakhstan (AoK), Boss Mining and Chambishi and in respect of its interests in quoted equity shares (primarily Northam Platinum Limited).

The market will be notified of the final amounts - which are likely to be significant - ahead of the Group's preliminary results for the year end December 31st 2012, which will be released on the next March 20th.

As of 13:13 shares of ENRC are down by 3.87% to the 342.4p mark.

AB