Rule 8.3- Freeport PLC

Guinness Peat Group PLC
08 May 2007



The following is the text of a letter which is being sent today by Guinness Peat
Group plc ("GPG") to Freeport plc ("Freeport") in connection with GPG's purchase
of shares in Freeport.




Disclosure of interest in shares pursuant to Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code
(the "Code")



Guinness Peat Group plc and its subsidiary companies ("the Group") hereby notify
Freeport plc ("Freeport") that following the market acquisition of 381,906
Ordinary shares of 33.33p each ("Shares") on 4 May 2007 at £3.79 per share, the
Group's direct interest now amounts to 6,366,781 Shares representing 16.81% of
the issued share capital of Freeport.



The Group has no interest in options or derivatives in the Shares of Freeport.
Therefore, following the above transaction, in accordance with its disclosure
obligations under Rule 8.3 of the Code, the Group has a long interest in
relevant securities (as defined in the Code) in an aggregate 16.81% of the
issued Shares of Freeport.



The Group has an interest by virtue of being a Rule 8.3 shareholder of Freeport.









Richard Russell
Company Secretary
Guinness Peat Group plc





8 May 2007


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