Runge Group acquires Fractal Technologies

July 1, 2007: Pat Williams, General Manager Strategic Development, Runge:

We are pleased to announce that Fractal Technologies was acquired by the Australian-owned Runge Group today. The Runge Group has a global reputation as a leader in the provision of mining technology services. Some Fractal customers may be familiar with Runge software products which include XPAC, AutoScheduler, TALPAC and XERAS. These products in particular are considered industry standard solutions for mine planning.

The Runge Group is committed to maintaining and enhancing Fractal Technologies systems. Runge's expertise will add considerable value to the range of solutions currently provided by Fractal.

July 2, 2007: Jenny Archibald, Managing Director, Fractal Technologies:

I am pleased to let each of you know that on June 30th 2007, Fractal signed an agreement where it was acquired by Australian-owned company, Runge. I would like to thank everyone for their invaluable support of Fractal as we took our products from the R&D lab to industry. I am now very pleased to see the company move on to what I believe will be an exciting path for the full commercialisation of our technology.

Press release: Runge expands through Fractal acquisition

Runge Limited, has today announced its acquisition of Fractal Technologies. This is the third Australian mining services company that Runge has acquired this year - strengthening its foothold in the mining consultancy and software market worldwide.

Mr Tony Kinnane, CEO of Runge said "Runge and Fractal Technologies have been partners since 2005 – we fit well together culturally and our products are complementary. We are excited to be able to market the Fractal products which have an excellent reputation globally and equally excited by the broader opportunities that Fractal Technologies provides for Runge's continued growth."

Fractal Technologies develop three-dimensional data management and visualisation software for the geosciences. Its longest running commercial product, FracSIS, combines an object-oriented database specifically designed to store geological, geochemical, and geophysical data with an interactive 3D visualisation environment.

Fractal will also enhance the technological capability of Runge's recently launched, Mining Dynamics, which is the industry's first visual enterprise-wide software.

"Fractal's technology in conjunction with Mining Dynamics will enable customers worldwide to have accelerated access to new product enhancements, while creating concrete investment in key mining technology," said Mr Kinnane.

Mining Dynamics provides a visual system to support data management and discovery across the entire production chain. The system allows operations, technical and corporate employees to have instant access to information about mine site operations. The system is vendor independent and works with mining companies' existing systems avoiding the need for costly replacement software. It is designed to provide standardisation across the geological and engineering processes. Fractal's technologies further enhance these capabilities.

The acquisition of Fractal, which complements Runge's dynamic growth plan, will lift the total number of Runge employees to 260.

Runge Limited operates globally out of 15 offices and has been in operation for 30 years. Runge provides software, consulting services, and training to assist customers in the planning and operation of mine sites to enhance project profitability for stakeholders.

For further information:
Ms Linda Young
Runge Limited
Tel 07 3100 7200