Press release

August 09, 2000

On 31st July 2000, BRGM and COGEMA signed an agreement by which COGEMA, through its subsidiary CFMM (Compagnie Française de Mines et Métaux), bought COMINOR (Compagnie Minière Or), a subsidiary of BRGM.

COMINOR's assets, taken over by COGEMA, include: the Compagnie Minière d'Afrique which operates the Angovia gold deposit in the Ivory Coast, a 40% participation in the Ariab Mining Company in the Sudan, various exploration permits in Africa and in Indonesia.

These activities represent an overall production of 7 tons of gold per year. Following the acquisition of 22,6 % in ERAMET at the end of last year, that of COMINOR will strengthen the mining sector in the COGEMA Group. This now amounts to a turnover of about 3 billion francs.