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THARISA PLC - Interim results for the six months to 31 March 2016

Release Date: 13/06/2016 09:00
Code(s): THA     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Interim results for the six months to 31 March 2016

Tharisa plc
(Incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus with limited liability)
(Registration number HE223412)
JSE share code: THA
LSE share code: THS
ISIN: CY0103562118
('Tharisa' or ‘the Company’)



                      Interim results for the six months to 31 March 2016

Tharisa, the platinum and chrome co-producer, today announces its Interim Results for the
half year period ending 31 March 2016.

HIGHLIGHTS
Strong Operational Performance
    - Safety: LTIFR of 0.30 (H1 FY2015: 0.07) per 200 000 man hours worked
    - Ore mined up 26.3% to 2.4 Mt (H1 FY2015: 1.9 Mt)
    - PGM concentrate produced 4.5% higher at 60.0 koz (H1 FY2015: 57.4 koz)
    - Chrome concentrate produced increased 7.3% to 604.4 kt (H1 FY2015: 563.3 kt)
    - PGM recovery improved to 65.0% (H1 FY2015: 63.1%)
    - Chrome recovery up 6.1% to 62.8% (H1 FY2015: 56.7%)
    - Specialty chrome production up from 10.1% to 17.5% of total chrome production
    - A 16.3% reduction in consolidated cash cost per tonne milled (excluding transport)

Solid Financial Results and Debt Reduction
    - Net cash flows from operating activities up 18.2% to US$18.2 million (H1 FY2015:
        US$15.3 million)
    - Revenue of US$86.0 million (H1 FY2015: US$123.7 million) down 30.5% due to a 27.4%
        drop in average PGM prices to US$686/oz (H1 FY2015: US$945/oz) and a 32.1% fall in
        chrome average prices to US$106/t (H1 FY2015: US$156/t)
    - EBITDA of US$14.7 million (H1 FY2015: US$17.9 million)
    - Gross profit US$21.1 million (H1 FY2015: US$22.8 million)
    - Gross profit margin increased to 24.5% (H1 FY2015: 18.4%)
    - Profit for the period US$3.1 million (H1 FY2015: US$4.9 million)
    - Headline earnings per share flat at US$1 cent
    - Net debt reduced by US$9.8 million to US$30.9 million in six months to end
        31 March 2016
Outlook
   - Recovering US$ commodity prices with PGM and chrome prices up 4% and 42%
       respectively since H1 FY2016
   - Targeting PGM steady state production of 147.4 kozpa and chrome concentrate steady
       state production of 1.3 Mtpa (as per recently released 2015 CPR)
   - Targeted improvement in PGM and chrome recoveries to 70% and 65% respectively
   - Annual dividend policy of 10% of NPAT



Phoevos Pouroulis, CEO of Tharisa, commented:
“These interim results underpin our competitive cost advantage relative to our PGM and
chrome peers and have once again demonstrated our ability to deliver a solid financial and
operational performance despite the volatility of commodity prices.

“While H1 revenues were impacted by the 27% drop in PGM prices and a 32% drop in
metallurgical grade chrome prices, we remain profitable benefitting to some extent by the 30%
weakening in the South African Rand against the US dollar and by our decisive move to increase
our output of the higher value specialty chrome concentrates, which is demonstrated by an
improved gross profit margin.

“Post the half-year results, Tharisa listed on the main board of the London Stock Exchange
under the ticker THS. The secondary listing increases Tharisa’s international profile, opens
up access to a wider pool of investors and will improve trading liquidity by facilitating the
participation of UK and European investors in the Company.”

The Company is pleased to have appointed Peel Hunt as its UK and European broker to facilitate
institutional interactions and liquidity in the London market.



Interim results presentation and webcast
Tharisa is hosting a live webcast on 13 June 2016 at 10.00 am UK time (11.00 am South African
time). The interim results booklet, containing management commentary and the presentation
slides will be available on the group’s website (www.tharisa.com) for download at the same
time.

Webcast
The webcast is accessible at: http://themediaframe.eu/links/tharisa160613.html

Dial in
Participants to dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time using one of the numbers below:
Live Call Access Numbers For Participants
Country                                                   Access Number
Hong Kong - Toll Free (*0 for Operator)                   800 966 117
Other Countries - International                           +27 11 535 3600
Other Countries - International                           +27 10 201 6800
SA - Johannesburg Neotel                                  011 535 3600
SA - Johannesburg Telkom                                  010 201 6800
UK - Toll-Free                                            0808 162 4061
USA and Canada - Toll Free                                1 855 481 5362

Playback

Playback Access Numbers - Playback Code: 50346
Country                                                   Access Number
Other Countries - International                           +27 11 305 2030
South Africa                                              011 305 2030
UK - Toll Free                                            0 808 234 6771
USA and Canada - Toll Free                                1 855 481 5363



Tharisa Plc                                               ir@tharisa.com
Sherilee Lakmidas                                         +27 11 996 3500

Peel Hunt LLP (Broker)                                    +44 207 7418 8900
Matthew Armitt / Ross Allister

Sponsor
Investec Bank Limited

About Tharisa

Tharisa is an integrated resources group incorporating mining, processing, beneficiation,
marketing, sales and logistics of platinum group metals (‘PGMs’) and chrome concentrates.
The Company’s primary asset, the Tharisa Mine, which is located on the south western limb of
South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, has an estimated open pit life-of-mine of approximately 20
years, and a further estimated underground life of mine of approximately 40 years.

The Tharisa Mine’s processing facilities have a nameplate design capacity for processing a total
of 400 ktpm of ROM ore.

The group’s strategy is to become a global natural resources company focused on originating,
developing and operating mines in the PGM, chrome and steel raw materials sectors.

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