Copper

[Ed Monton]

African Copper Plc: Oxide and Supergene Drill Programme Returns Higher Grades

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(CCNMatthews - Sept. 21, 2006) - African Copper Plc (TSX:ACU)(BSE:African Copper)(AIM:ACU) -

- A twin hole drill programme has been completed at the Dukwe deposit in Botswana. Twin hole drilling of near-surface oxide and supergene mineralization has returned higher values than historic drilling.

- 21.38 metres grading 4.02% copper against a historic intersection of 24.38 metres grading 2.27% copper.

- 25.93 metres grading 2.01% copper against a historic intersection of 25.61 metres grading 0.91% copper.

- 15.36 metres grading 2.71% copper against a historic intersection of 16.00 metres grading 0.77% copper.

- 16.88 metres grading 4.29% copper against a historic intersection of 14.63 metres grading 0.27% copper.

- Historic database of near surface drilling has been verified by RSG Global Consulting ("RSG") and will be utilized in a comprehensive resource estimate for the entire Dukwe mineralized system.

- RSG is currently completing a block model for resource estimation. Results are expected to be released in early October.

- Caracle Creek International Consulting ("CCIC") is completing a parallel resource estimate with results also expected to be released in early October.

African Copper Plc ("African Copper" or the "Company") announces the results of a twin hole drill programme specifically targeted at verifying and improving the confidence in the historic estimates of the near-surface oxide and supergene mineralization available at the Dukwe deposit in northeastern Botswana (see Table 1 below). The Dukwe deposit is planned to be exploited by mining the near-surface sections of the deposit over the first four years. A twin hole drill programme was completed in late July in order to test the historic grades encountered in the oxide and supergene zones of the deposit.

The twin hole programme was supervised by RSG, an independent consultant to the Company. The current programme used exclusively diamond drilling while historic drilling was a mix of percussion, reverse circulation and diamond drilling completed over numerous campaigns between 1962 and 1997. Percussion and reverse circulation drilling methods may have reported lower grades when compared to diamond drill core recovered from the twin holes.

The historic database used for resource estimation was comprised of 235 drill holes (28,079 metres) although only 86 (10,484 metres) of these holes were diamond drilled with recovered core. The results of the current oxide and supergene twin hole programme show that at least some of the historic drilling likely underestimated the grade of the near-surface mineralization at Dukwe (see Table 1). The only historic hole that reported a significantly higher grade than its twin was hole B12. This historic hole was drilled utilizing pre-wireline standard drill rigs and showed poor recovery. The entire series of these holes drilled between 1962 and 1973 were ignored in historic resource estimates.

The core recovered from the twin hole programme compares favourably with the historic drilling in terms of geology and width of mineralization. The inclusion of most of the historic database is therefore considered to be valid. The historic database has been verified and accepted by RSG. This database has been integrated with the current 38,000 metre sulphide drill programme and is being utilized in a comprehensive resource estimate for the entire Dukwe resource to a depth of 550 metres below surface. The results of this study should be available in early October.

The coarse-grained semi-massive to disseminated nature of the sulphide mineralization at Dukwe has the potential to lead to estimation errors. For this reason, the Company has commissioned CCIC to run a parallel resource estimate utilizing the same database. The use of two globally recognized independent consultants should allow the Company to finalize the resource base that is available to support an extended mine life at Dukwe.

Additional information with respect to the Dukwe project is contained in a technical report prepared by A.C.A Howe International Limited dated March 30, 2006 and entitled "Technical Report on the Dukwe Copper Project and Matsitama Prospecting Licences, Botswana, Africa". This technical report can be reviewed via the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

African Copper is a tri-listed (AIM, TSX, Botswana Stock Exchange) international exploration and development company. The Company is planning to develop it's first copper mine at the Dukwe Project and commence production in 2008. The Company's other interests are the 4,000 sq km Matsitama exploration concession adjacent to Dukwe, which contains two known copper deposits and numerous base metal exploration targets. African Copper has approximately 128 million shares outstanding.

Mr. Joseph Hamilton, P.Geo., and Chief Operating Officer of African Copper, is a "qualified person" as defined in Canada by National Instrument 43-101. This press release has been prepared under Mr. Hamilton's supervision. Mr. Hamilton has verified the data disclosed in this press release including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information.

This document contains or refers to forward-looking information, including statements regarding the estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, exploration and mine development plans and timing of commencement of operations, and is based on current expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward- looking statement include, but are not limited to, the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks arising from operating in Africa, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and other factors. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, other than as required by law.