Operating as a closed-ended equity mutual fund, the BlackRock World Mining Trust plc, domiciled in the United Kingdom, commenced operations on December 15, 1993. This fund, which was formerly known as Merrill Lynch World Mining Trust PLC, was launched by BlackRock Fund Managers Limited and is currently managed by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited. Its investment objective is to acquire shares in publicly listed companies engaged in the mining and metals industries worldwide, with its returns gauged against the Euromoney Global Mining Index.