Mondi resumes two-thirds production following tank rupture at South African mill

JOHANNESBURG, April 2, 2008 (Press Release) - On 28 March 2008, an incident occurred at Mondi's Richards Bay operation when a filtrate tank within the bleaching plant failed and consequently ruptured, causing a rapid release of hot filtrate.

Two contractors were injured in the incident. Both are in a stable but critical condition in hospital, where they continue to receive the best possible medical treatment.

Production at the pulp mill resumed at two thirds of normal capacity yesterday, 1 April 2008, as an interim measure and is planned to be back in full production by 14 April 2008.

The cause of the tank failure is as yet not known and a thorough investigation involving external experts is currently underway.