Kalahari Minerals plc, the AIM listed mining exploration group...

Kalahari Minerals plc, the AIM listed mining exploration group with a portfolio of copper, base metal and uranium interests in Namibia, was notified on 16 February 2009 that Rio Tinto International Holdings Australia Pty Ltd purchased 3,450,000 ordinary shares in the Company on 12 February 2009, representing approximately 1.93% of the Company's total voting rights, raising its total interest in Kalahari to 28,267,310 ordinary shares representing 15.8% of its issued share capital.




Kalahari Chairman Mark Hohnen said, "The Board of Kalahari believes it is important for shareholders to be apprised of Rio Tinto's further stake building in the Company and consequent increased indirect interest in ASX and TSX listed Extract Resources Ltd ('Extract').




"As shareholders will know, Kalahari has a 40.60% stake in Extract, which holds a portfolio of uranium deposits in Namibia including the world-class Rossing South discovery, which lies adjacent to Rio Tinto's Rossing mine.




"While Rio Tinto's increased interest represents an endorsement of Extract's prospects and of the Rossing South deposit in particular, the Board of Kalahari considers it imperative for Kalahari and Extract to remain independent from Rio in order for them to fully secure the inherent value of Extract's projects. Clearly certain Kalahari shareholders voiced the same concerns when they refused to endorse the potential merger between Extract and Kalahari over concerns that Rio Tinto could emerge with a controlling interest.




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