Operational Update

Ovoca Gold PLC 17 May 2007 Ovoca Gold plc ('Ovoca Gold' or the 'Company') Operational Update Ovoca Gold successfully completes Goltsovoye license review Ovoca Gold is pleased to announce the successful completion of a routine scheduled license review. The review involved the verification of compliance of CJSC Prospectors Artel Ayax's ('Ayax') licence obligations for the Goltsovoye silver deposit license. Ovoca Gold owns 74% of Ayax and has the option to acquire the remaining 26% up to 18 April 2008. The Russian Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service (Rosprirodnadzor) has issued a detailed statement (Act # 02n-07) on the status of the Goltsovoye license. The Federal Inspectorate has verified Ayax's fulfillment and compliance of its current license obligations. Ovoca Gold's work program at the Goltsovoye deposit is currently on-schedule. Upon commencement of production at the Goltsovoye mine, Ovoca Gold expects to employ 300 to 400 people in the Magadan Region and provide an estimated annual tax revenue of approximately 300 mn rubles. The Governor of Magadan, N. N. Dudov, in his annual regional address made on 20 February 2007 said 'There are high hopes connected to the development of Goltsovoye - and the (Ovoca Gold) management intends to complete the task as planned.' Ovoca Gold continues to implement a 'greener' approach to mining Ovoca Gold continues to make a concentrated effort to take a responsible corporate approach to the environmental considerations of mining in the Magadan Region. Leonid Skoptsov, Ovoca Gold's CEO, comments: 'As the Company moves closer to mine construction, management has been working jointly with leading Russian scientific institutes to develop highly environmental-friendly mining and metallurgic solutions for the planned Goltsovoye mine. The proposed solutions ensure that mining activity at Goltsovoye will have a minimum impact on the surrounding area. I and the Ovoca Gold team have been working hard to finalize a development plan that will significantly decrease environmental risks associated with tailing storage, lead by-product emissions and overall aboveground topography damage, which notably should also significantly decrease reclamation costs in the future. Building on Russian President Vladimir Putin's comments regarding the need for 'green' industrial activities, Ovoca Gold hopes that its efforts will encourage other mining corporations owned by Russians and operating in Russia to be responsible stewards of our environment. Ovoca Gold has executives and shareholders who are lifelong residents of the Russian Far East, who have a direct interest in ensuring that the company's contribution to local economic prosperity is properly balanced with environmental protection, so that future generations can continue to enjoy the unique nature of the Magadan Region. ' Ovoca Gold Plc is an international exploration company quoted in London (OVG.L) and Dublin (OVX.IR), exploring for precious and base metals in Russia, Sweden and Ireland For further information please visit www.ovocagold.com or contact: Simon Beardsmore, Commercial Manager, Ovoca Gold Plc Tel +44 (0)207 397 8159 Email simon.beardsmore@ovocagold.com Nick Bias - Buckbias PR Tel +44 (0) 7887 920 530 Email nick@buckbias.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange KPD
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