Assmang – Trading update

In terms of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited (“JSE Listings Requirements”), companies are required to publish a trading statement as soon as they become aware that the financial results for the period to be reported upon next will differ by at least 20% from the financial results for the previous corresponding period.

Shareholders are advised that Assmang has been affected by negative market conditions over the past six months both in terms of sales volumes and in respect of metal prices, particularly for manganese ore, ferromanganese and ferrochrome alloys, with the result that headline and attributable earnings per share for the interim period to 31 December 2005 are now anticipated to be between R69,00 and R77,00 per share (6 months to December 2004 : headline earnings R99,49 per share / attributable earnings R 101,87 per share).

The above forecast earnings per share information has not been reviewed or reported on by Assmang’s auditors.

For further details, contact
Alan Jepson
Phone: +27(0)11 779 1100
Mobile: +27(0)83 701 7990
Website: www.assmang.co.za