OREANDA-NEWS. March 16, 2012. Polyus Gold International Limited (LSE – PLGL, OTC (US) - PLZLY), a leading gold producer in Russia and Kazakhstan, today announces the results of independent reserves audits at its Olimpiada, Natalka, Panimba and Razdolinskaya deposits, conducted in compliance with the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geosciences and Minerals Council of Australia Code 2004 (“JORC Code”), reported the press-centre of Polyus Gold.

Highlights:

- 12% increase in total proven and probable reserves from 80.7 to 90.5 million ounces of gold

- 29% increase in total measured, indicated and inferred resources from 125.3 to 161.1 million ounces of gold

- Proven and probable reserves at Olimpiada up by 147% from 13.0 to 32.1 million ounces. A massive ore body, amenable to either super pit or combined open pit/underground mining is located below and connects the existing ore bodies
 
Improved Natalka project economics due to reduced stripping and increased higher-grade ore volumes as amended licence agreement sets the allowable mining depth at 450 meters

- Additional 6.3 million ounces of measured, indicated and inferred resources at Panimba and Razdolinskaya properties located 50-170 km to the south of Olimpiada.

German Pikhoya, Chief Executive Officer of Polyus Gold, commented:

“I am pleased to announce that Polyus Gold, once again, has demonstrated its ability to increase and further improve its mineral base. This reinforces our standing as having the third largest gold reserves in the world and will underpin our ambitious development strategy. As we are targeting aggressive production growth, Polyus Gold is committed to continue to focus on increasing its world-class resource base.”

The Mineral Experts’ reports are available on the Company’s website at http://www.polyusgold.com/eng/news/reports/audit