OREANDA-NEWS. The Directors of AECI declared a gross cash dividend, at the rate of 5,5 per cent per annum (equivalent to 2,75 pence sterling), for the six months ending Monday, 15 December 2014. The dividend is payable on Monday, 15 December 2014 to holders of preference shares recorded in the register of the Company at the close of business on the record date, being Friday, 12 December 2014.

The last day to trade "cum" dividend will be Friday, 5 December 2014 and shares will commence trading "ex" dividend as from the commencement of business on Monday, 8 December 2014.

The dividend is declared in pound sterling and payment will be made from the offices of the Transfer Secretaries in South Africa and the United Kingdom on Monday, 15 December 2014. Dividends payable from South Africa will be paid in South African currency at the rate of 47,72290 ZAR cents per share (gross dividend) in accordance with the exchange rate ruling on Monday, 17 November 2014 (1 pound sterling = ZAR17,35378).

A South African dividend withholding tax of 15% will be applicable to all shareholders who are not either exempt or entitled to a reduction of the withholding tax rate in terms of a relevant Double Taxation Agreement, resulting in a net dividend of 40,56447 ZAR cents per share payable to those shareholders who are not eligible for exemption or reduction. Application forms for exemption or reduction may be obtained from the Transfer Secretaries and must be returned to them on or before Friday, 5 December 2014.

Dividends payable from the United Kingdom office will be subject to such tax deductions as are prescribed by United Kingdom legislation unless a certificate exempting the shareholder concerned from such tax deduction is received before Friday, 5 December 2014.

The issued share capital of the Company at the declaration date is 128 241 140 listed ordinary shares, 10 117 951 unlisted redeemable convertible B ordinary shares and 3 000 000 listed cumulative preference shares. The dividend has been declared from the income reserves of the Company. No Secondary Tax on Companies' credits are available for use.

Any change of address or dividend instruction must be received on or before Friday, 5 December 2014.

Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 8 December 2014 to Friday, 12 December 2014, both days inclusive.