Eramet

M&A Activity • Feb 16, 2010

Press release Paris, February, 16th 2010

BOLLORE – ERAMET: AGREEMENT TO EXPLORE LITHIUM DEPOSITS IN ARGENTINA

On February 12th, 2010, the BOLLORE and ERAMET groups signed an exploration contract with a call option for lithium deposits with the Argentinean company Minera Santa Rita.

Under the terms of the agreement, the BOLLORE-ERAMET consortium is given access to concessions on several lithium-rich salt lakes in northern Argentina. This enables the BOLLORE-ERAMET consortium to start exploration in order to estimate the resource and launch studies on a project for a lithium carbonate production unit, the raw material from which the lithium salts and lithium metal used in rechargeable batteries are produced. Furthermore, the call option gives the BOLLORE-ERAMET consortium the right to acquire those concessions following the studies, within 24 months.

The ERAMET and BOLLORE groups joined forces just over a year ago to become a significant player on the global lithium market. Lithium is increasingly used in rechargeable batteries for phones and laptops. In the longer term it could enjoy sharp growth with the development of electric and hybrid vehicles. The BOLLORE group has developed a particularly efficient battery (lithium-metal-polymer) that will be used to power its electric vehicle, the Blue Car. ERAMET contributes its mining and metallurgical skills to the consortium, as well as its research centre's ability to develop new lithium extraction and conversion processes that are suited to each deposit.

This agreement is the first stage in the BOLLORE-ERAMET consortium's lithium development strategy. The consortium continues to examine various projects, including a project for a complete industrial chain for lithium in Bolivia.

• ooOoo -

Vice President Strategy and Investor Relations - Philippe Joly, ERAMET (Paris): Tel. +33 (0) 1 4538 4202

Shareholder information: http://www.eramet.fr

DGM : Michel & Ghislaine Calzaroni Tél : 04.40.70.11.89 http://www.bollore.com