RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/11/08 -- In response to the press articlescirculated this Friday concerning certain actions perpetrated by theFederal Police, MMX Amapá Mineração Ltda. ("MMX Amapa"), a company of theEBX Group that concentrates the group's investment in the State of Amapa,makes the following comments:1. The Federal Police visited MMX Amapa's premises in the State of Amapaand its headquarters in Rio de Janeiro this morning to carry out a searchwarrant issued by the Federal Court of the State of Amapa to obtaindocuments and information concerning an investigation over alleged offensesin the public auction for the concession of the Amapa Railway, which ispart of the MMX Amapa System.
2. MMX Amapa denies all allegations concerning any transgression or offenceregarding the aforesaid public tender that resulted in the granting by thelocal State Government of a concession for MMX Amapa to operate the AmapaRailway.
3. The Federal Police also credits MMX Amapa with the alleged offence ofsmuggling "gold mined in its mines in the State." MMX Amapa does not carryout any gold mining activity in the State of Amapa or in other region ofthe country and is not involve in any smuggling activity.
4. Before today's actions, MMX Amapa, having heard rumors concerning afederal investigation, made itself available to the local authorities forthe purposes of providing information and cooperating with any ongoinginvestigations.
5. Subsequently, having learned of the Federal Court of Amapa's decision,MMX Amapa filed an appeal before the 1st Federal Circuit Court in Brasiliato obtain access to all investigation materials concerning the company.The Circuit Court ruled in favor of MMX Amapa's appeal, and the company isawaiting disclosure of the information by the local Federal Court.
6. MMX Amapa clarifies that there are no imprisonment orders or criminalcharges against its executives or against any executive or employee of anyother company belonging to the EBX Group.
7. The EBX Group hereby emphasizes its absolute intention to cooperate withany legal investigation regarding its businesses, and reaffirms theabsolute transparent and legal way with which it has conducted its businessin the state of Amapa, and anywhere else.
8. MMX Amapa further declares that it will employ all legal means to defendits assets and projects and the interest of its shareholders, who haveproved to be true believers of the organization know as the EBX Group.
