Corporate Update: Court grants Kidman request to separate...

Corporate Update: Court grants Kidman request to separate hearings Kidman Resources Limited (ASX: KDR) (the Company) is pleased to advise that at a Special Appointment of the Supreme Court of Western Australia held today, Justice Kenneth Martin granted Kidman’s request to separate any determination of damages (if required) in the proceedings commenced in November 2016 by Marindi Metals Limited (ASX: MZN). Justice Martin also ordered Marindi Metals to pay Kidman's costs for today's hearing. The result of this decision, requested by the Company at the Directions Hearing on 19 January, is that the trial set down for 29 May 2017 between Kidman and Marindi will deal exclusively with the issue of whether or not an agreement existed between the parties in regard to the lithium rights to the Mt Holland project and will only proceed to determine damages payable to Marindi later in the event of their action being successful. The matter of damages alleged by Marindi will be deferred until after the Court has determined whether or not an agreement existed. This is a positive result for Kidman as it will significantly reduce the Company's costs of engaging independent valuation experts (if required) in dealing with Marindi's claim and the likely length of the trial. Kidman would like to reiterate that it considers Marindi's claim over the Earl Grey lithium rights to be highly opportunistic and that there is no agreement as alleged by Marindi and that it has sought the earliest possible hearing date before the Court. The Company remains confident of a favourable outcome to the dispute. If the Court agrees with Kidman that an agreement did not exist, no damages will be payable to Marindi and no assessment of damages will be necessary. The Company was represented by Grant Donaldson SC.