Tellus Expands Into Asia

• Tellus launches Tellus Holdings International Pty Ltd
• Tellus opens Tokyo office
• Tellus expands Japanese team – appoints Mr Akira HARADA to the Board

Tellus Holdings has opened an office in Tokyo, Group Managing Director Mr Duncan van der Merwe announced today.

“After a successful investment and marketing trip last year to Japan, China and Indonesia, Tellus is expanding its presence in the Asian region.” he said. “Tellus is pleased to announce the establishment of Tellus Holdings International Pty Ltd and the opening of its new regional office in Tokyo, a move which will strengthen Tellus’ presence in the Japanese market.”

Tellus has identified potential off-take partners for the Chandler Salt Mine Project across the Asian region and other international business opportunities and Tellus’ new office in Tokyo will provide an excellent hub from which to spearhead its marketing and business development strategies.

“Tellus has identified additional trade offices in other countries and we will continue to expand in due course,” Mr van der Merwe said. Tellus is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Akira Harada to the Tellus Holdings International Board.

“Mr Harada is based in Tokyo and brings significant international business development and bulk commodity trading expertise to the team. Mr Harada will facilitate bulk commodity off-take discussions with major Japanese trading houses. His appointment enhances our in-house capability and better positions Tellus to manage the development of the Chandler Project and to execute our growth strategy,” Mr van der Merwe said.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr HARADA said, “Japan is the largest importer of salt worldwide. The Japanese salt market is 8-9 million tonnes a year and stable. Tellus’ underground rock salt mine could potentially be seen as a reliable supplier not affected by wet weather events (unlike other coastal solar pond suppliers) and could also scale up easily (unlike other solar pond suppliers) to meet local demand and growing Asian demand.”

Mr HARADA has over 40 years of export-import experience of bulk commodities and technologies, know-how and plants for heavy industrial use. He has international experience in Asia and all over the world through his career at a major Japanese Trading Company and his own consultancy company. Mr HARADA will be responsible for business development opportunities in Japan with key Japanese trading houses and/or end-users.

Tellus Holdings Ltd (“Tellus”) is an Australian exploration company with an attractive portfolio of rock salt deposits. Tellus is planning an underground rock salt mine in the Northern Territory. Tellus is the parent of a group of companies that plans to be involved in mine building, processing and sale of industrial and edible salts, fertilisers. Potential complementary businesses include storage in voids created by mining.

Visit: www.tellusholdings.com.au or contact:
Duncan van der Merwe, Managing Director Tel: +61 (0)2 9241-7678
Jane Munday, Michels Warren Munday on Mob: +61 (0)427 880 083