European Goldfields Limited: Joint Venture finalised with Ariana Resources 

21 April 2008 - European Goldfields Limited (TSX / AIM: EGU) is pleased to announce that it has signed definitive documentation governing a Joint Venture (“JV”) with Ariana Resources plc (AIM: AAU) (“Ariana”). The JV will become effective when the transfer of Ariana’s properties, currently in progress, is confirmed by the General Directorate of Mining Affairs in Turkey. The JV involves the development of Ariana’s properties in north-eastern Turkey, which include the Ardala copper-gold porphyry and fifteen other licences covering a total area of 229km². 

Highlights

Details of Joint Venture

The JV is focused on the Greater Pontides region of Turkey, a highly prospective geological terrain containing several major deposits. 

The JV will focus initially on the Ardala copper-gold porphyry project which has shown encouraging grades of copper and gold in previous exploration.  It has a 600m x 700m surface exposure centred on a magnetic high of 1,000m x 1,000m extent.  Copper-gold mineralisation has also been identified on other properties in the vicinity of Ardala within granitoids and in the surrounding country rocks. 

European Goldfields will own 51% of the JV company into which Ariana will transfer the relevant properties.  European Goldfields is funding all development costs of these initial properties and any future properties located within the AOI until the delivery of the first Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”), at which time European Goldfields’ interest in each relevant project will increase to 80% on current licences in the JV or 90% on new areas generated by the JV. 

A period of joint funding after DFS has been agreed, but if at any time during this period Ariana is diluted to below 5% it will adopt a 1.5% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) on the project in question.  Any project that falls short of a 0.5Moz Au (or equivalent) threshold, will be assigned back to Ariana, in which case European Goldfields will adopt a 1.5% NSR. 

Ariana has also granted European Goldfields a right of first opportunity over projects located in Turkey but outside of the AOI, on terms that will be independent of the JV agreement.  This right will not apply within the WAVE Project Area in western Turkey, as Ariana intends to develop projects within this area independently. 

Subject to completion of the JV arrangements, European Goldfields will subscribe for new shares in Ariana at 5 pence per share in a private placement for a total cash consideration of approximately £900,000, resulting in European Goldfields owning 20% of Ariana.  As part of this subscription, European Goldfields has agreed certain rights to maintain its interest at the 20% level.

David Reading, CEO of European Goldfields commented:

“We are delighted to enter into partnership with Ariana and see this as an exciting and relatively low risk entry into the highly prospective geological terrains of Eastern Turkey. Ariana’s local skill and knowledge and its proven track record within Turkey can allow exploration work to start almost immediately on the current licence portfolio including the promising Ardala target.  European’s entry into Turkey is part of our focused growth strategy of expanding into the mineral belts of South East Europe.”

Dr. Kerim Sener, Managing Director of Ariana, commented:

“The start of our Joint Venture and Strategic Partnership with European Goldfields in Turkey, marks a significant milestone in the development of the Company.  The combination of our in-country knowledge and skills, with the financial and technical strength of European Goldfields, is a win-win.  As partners, Ariana and European Goldfields are ideally matched as we share a common philosophy and sense of purpose.”

"We are delighted to welcome David Reading, CEO of European Goldfields, to the board of Ariana as a non-executive director.  He brings with him a new layer of operational expertise and corporate skills, that will be invaluable as Ariana develops its projects in western Turkey.” 

“The acquisition of 20% of the Company by European Goldfields, at a price premium to market, must be recognised as a sign of great confidence.  With this funding secured, the next stages of our progress at Kiziltepe and Tavsan, will be marked by an increase in tempo towards project development."

About European Goldfields
European Goldfields Limited is a resource company involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Greece, Romania and South-East Europe.

Greece – European Goldfields holds a 95% interest in Hellas Gold S.A. Hellas Gold owns three major gold and base metal deposits in Northern Greece. The deposits are the polymetallic operation at Stratoni, the Olympias project which contains gold, zinc, lead and silver, and the Skouries copper/gold porphyry project. Hellas Gold commenced production at Stratoni in September 2005 and commenced selling an existing stockpile of Olympias gold concentrates in July 2006. Hellas Gold is applying for permits to develop the Skouries and Olympias projects.

Romania – European Goldfields owns 80% of the Certej gold/silver project in Romania. European Goldfields submitted in March 2007 a technica l feasibility study to the Romanian government, in support of a permit application to develop the project.

For further information please contact:  

Forward-looking statements
Certain statements and information contained in this document, including any information as to the Company’s future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, constitute forward-looking information under provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. When used in this document, the words “anticipate”, "expect", "will", "intend", "estimate", “forecast”, “planned” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the timing and amou nt of estimated future production, costs and timing of development of new deposits, permitting time lines and expectations regarding metal recovery rates. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The Company cautions the reader that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from its estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: changes in the price of gold, base metals or certain other comm odities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; uncertainty of mineral reserves, resources, grades and recovery estimates; uncertainty of future production, capital expenditures and other costs; currency fluctuations; financing and additional capital requirements; the successful and timely permitting of the Company’s Skouries, Olympias and Certej projects; legislative, political, social or economic developments in the jurisdictions in which the Company carries on business; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; the speculative nature of gold and base metals exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; the risks normally involved in the exploration, development and mining business; and risks associated with internal control over financial reporting. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and material factors or assumptions underlying these forward-looking statem ents, see the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended 31 December 2006, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.