Anooraq obtains key regulatory approvals relating to the acquisition from Anglo Platinum of a controlling interest in the Lebowa Platinum Mine

Tuesday, August 26th 2008

Anooraq Resources Corporation announces that it has received key approvals required for implementation of its transaction with Anglo Platinum Limited for the acquisition of an effective 51% equity interest in the Lebowa Platinum Mine, together with an additional 1% controlling interest in the parties’ current joint venture projects, namely the Ga-Phasha Project, the Boikgantsho Project and the Kwanda Project. These are:

– the unconditional approval by the South African Competition Commission for implementation of the Lebowa transaction; and
– the approval by the Exchange Control department of the South African Reserve Bank for implementation of the Lebowa transaction.

The above approvals relate to the fulfillment of conditions precedent to the Lebowa transaction described in the Company’s news releases of September 4, 2007 and April 14, 2008.

These regulatory approvals represent a further step towards Anooraq’s implementation of the Lebowa transaction and its transition into a significant platinum group metals (“PGM”) producer. All conditions precedent relating to implementation of the Lebowa transaction must be fulfilled by November 30, 2008 and the Company remains confident that that this target date will be met.

Philip Kotze,President & CEO of Anooraq said: “These approvals have taken us one step closer to the conclusion of the Lebowa transaction. We remain confident that the transaction will be concluded within the originally defined timeframe, transforming Anooraq from a company with an impressive exploration and development base into a significant PGM producer, controlling the third largest PGM resource base in South Africa.”