Polymetal International plc
Substantial improvements in the Company's sustainability performances

Polymetal International plc (LSE, MOEX: POLY, ADR: AUCOY) (together with its subsidiaries - "Polymetal", the "Company", or the "Group") is pleased to report on its significant progress in sustainability performances with all-round improvement that has been highly rated by the leading sustainability agencies, including Sustainalytics, DJSI-Robeco SAM, FTSE4Good and WWF.

HIGHLIGHTS

·      Sustainalytics position Polymetal in the 93^rd percentile as an outperformer in the metals and mining industry, ranking it first among its peers and fourth among the 44 mining companies included in the report.

·      FTSE4Good Index awarded Polymetal with the highest score (5/5) in Corporate Governance and Anti-Corruption, while the ESG Rating ICB Supersector Relative Percentile further improved to 84/100 (2016: 77/100).  

·      WWF rank the Company 1^st in the "Environmental management" category and seventh overall in their environmental responsibility ratings for metals and mining companies in Russia.

·      RobecoSAM reassessed the Company's performance for the purpose of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, awarding 61 points out of 100 which is above the industry average of 48 and up 28% over the previous year.

Earlier this month, Polymetal was ranked by Sustainalytics - an independent ESG research and analysis firm supporting investors around the world - as an outperformer in the metals and mining industry, coming first among its peers and fourth among the 44 mining companies included in the report. This is a 10% score improvement compared to the previous annual assessment. For 2017, Polymetal was awarded a score of 77/100 in the overall ESG rating, 87/100 in Governance, 78/100 in Environmental and 71/100 in the Social ranking. Sustainalytics' ESG research covers more than 7,000 companies globally and its Controversies Research highlights ESG risks across more than 10,000 companies.

In the beginning of the year, Polymetal was confirmed as a FTSE4Good Index constituent for the third time in a row, receiving the highest score (5/5) in Governance themes such as Corporate governance, as well as Anti-Corruption. The ESG Rating ICB Supersector Relative Percentile Score improved over the previous year to 84/100 from 77/100 in 2016 and 64/100 in 2015.

Our progress has also been evaluated by RobecoSAM for the purpose of Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). Polymetal recorded a significant score increase of 28% over 2016, reaching 61/100 from 44/100 in 2016 and 31/100 in 2015. This year, 942 companies participated in RobecoSAM's Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), which evaluates and ranks the highest-scoring companies on the DJSI - one of the most rigorous and highly regarded sustainability indices in the world. Despite not being selected as a member of DJSI, Polymetal is among the few gold companies that were invited to participate in Russia, Kazakhstan and Armenia. 

Polymetal is pleased to announce that the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the joint project of United Nations Development Programme / Global Environment Facility / Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia have included Polymetal in their environmental responsibility rating of metals and mining companies in Russia. Polymetal was ranked 1^st in the "Environmental management" category and 7^th in the overall rankings. The first environmental rating included the 33 biggest mining companies in Russia that operate in WWF's priority ecoregions. 

Polymetal is also part of other leading sustainability indices such as the Euronext-Vigeo, STOXX Global ESG Leaders and supports Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), UN Global Compact and Global Reporting Initiative.

"I believe that sustainability is the only way forward. This recognition reflects Polymetal's deep commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement, which translates into safer working conditions for people, responsible environmental management, social support for the local communities, and growing economic value for our stakeholders," said Group CEO, Vitaly Nesis.

To learn more about Polymetal's sustainability initiatives please visit http://www.polymetalinternational.com/sustainable-development.aspx?sc_lang=en and find in the Company's annual sustainability report "Sustainable business. Sustainable future".

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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