Tharisa Regulatory News (THS)

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 2016

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL RESULTS

Integrated

Innovation

HIGHLIGHTS

ROM MINED

UP 15.6% 4.8 Mt (2015: 4.2 Mt)

PGM PRODUCTION

UP 12.4% (5PGE + Au) 132.6 koz (2015: 118.0 koz)

CHROME CONCENTRATE PRODUCTION

UP 10.8% 1.2 Mt (2015: 1.1 Mt)

REVENUE

DOWN 11.0% US$219.7m (2015: US$246.8m)

OPERATING PROFIT

UP 74.5% US$32.1m (2015: US$18.4m)

EBITDA

UP 48.3% US$43.0m (2015: US$29.0m)

PROFIT BEFORE TAX

UP 129.2% US$22.0m (2015: US$9.6m)

HEADLINE EARNINGS PER SHARE

UP 200.0% US$ 6 cents (2015: US$ 2 cents)

PROPOSED MAIDEN DISTRIBUTION TO SHAREHOLDERS OF US$ 1 CENT PER SHARE

LEADERSHIP REVIEW

financial year-end September 2016

Executive Chairman Loucas Pouroulis, Chief Executive Officer Phoevos Pouroulis and Chief Finance Officer Michael Jones.

Dear Stakeholder

In compiling this report we have been guided by materiality so that we report concisely on those issues most material to our stakeholders and our ongoing ability to create value. More detailed information is available on our website, www.tharisa.com.

The year under review has once again proven the robustness of our low cost co-production model. We are pleased to report that, in spite of chrome concentrate prices reaching critically low levels in Q2, we negotiated the challenges and have succeeded in reporting an improved and profitable performance.

FY2016 was always set to be a watershed year for Tharisa even though the achievement of steady state production was impacted by safety-related stoppages in Q1, which delayed this achievement. However, from Q2 onwards the Tharisa Mine recorded steady state production (on an annualised basis) and a number of record achievements during the remainder of the year.

We mined 4.8 Mt of ore during the year, being the required mining call rate for the nameplate capacity of our processing plants, of which 4.7 Mt was processed through the two plants. This resulted in above guidance PGM production of 132.6 koz of contained PGMs and production of 1.2 Mt of chrome concentrates. Of the chrome concentrates, 269.4 kt comprised specialty grade product on the back of our strategic decision to increase our market share and capture higher margins in a suppressed metallurgical grade market.

PGM prices have remained relatively stable during the year albeit lower than FY2015 supported by a weaker ZAR, and we believe there is potential for a price recovery in platinum, in particular with palladium recording a strong recovery post the year-end to above US$700/oz.

Post the year-end we have seen a recovery in the metallurgical grade chrome prices delivered to China on the back of physical supply shortages with inventories running to critically low levels, coupled with a Chinese stimulus package initiating strong stainless steel growth and consumption in China. Prices are currently reported at above US$350/t CIF China.

Our full-year results demonstrates the significance of reaching steady state production, a reduction in unit costs, as well as operational efficiencies. Operating profit for the year amounted to US$32.1 million (FY2015: US$18.4 million), with a net profit after tax of US$15.8 million (FY2015: US$6.0 million) generating HEPS of US$ 6 cents (FY2015: US$ 2 cents).

It is the Group's policy to pay 10% of consolidated net profit after tax as a dividend, and the directors are pleased to announce that, subject to the necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals, the Board has approved an inaugural distribution to shareholders of US$ 1 cent per share, signalling our strong intention of maintaining capital discipline and of being a dividend-paying company.

SAFETY

Safety remains a priority at Tharisa, which achieved a fatality-free year and, at 30 September 2016, our LTIFR per 200 000 hours worked at the mine was 0.36.

As previously reported, Q1 was interrupted by a number of safety-related stoppages, primarily on the back of the tragic fatality that occurred in September 2015. This impacted our mill throughput for the quarter by approximately 15%. We are pleased to advise that no safety-related stoppages were incurred for the remainder of the year, highlighting our emphasis on safety as well as our improved relationship with the DMR inspectorate.

We continue to strive for a zero harm work environment and in line with the DMR's drive to minimise all injuries within the South African mining industry, we have renewed our commitment to our stakeholders and taken the necessary steps in ensuring a safer workplace. To that end it is pleasing to report that Tharisa Minerals was awarded the Best Safety Performance in class award at Mine Safe 2016.

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

A number of milestones were achieved during the financial year including:

- 4.8 Mt reef mined, an increase of 15.6%

- 4.7 Mt milled, an increase of 5.8%

- 132.6 koz 5PGE + Au contained PGM production, up

by 12.4%

- 69.9% overall PGM recovery, an increase of 6.2%

- 1.24 Mt production of chrome concentrates, up by 10.8%

- 62.7% chrome recovery, an increase of 8.1%

- 269.4 kt specialty grade chrome production, an increase of 138.8%

MINING

Steady state reef mining was achieved for the year under review. The accelerated overburden stripping of the previous two years allowed a focus on inter-burden waste removal and an increased strike face length. It is planned that the stripping ratio will normalise to 9.7 bcm:bcm in FY2017 from the 7.3 bcm:bcm achieved in the current year.

PROCESSING

The processing plants performed well throughout the year with exceptional performance during Q4, resulting in PGM recoveries achieving record levels of 80.6%, and chrome recoveries nearing targeted levels at 63.5% during the quarter.

Plant throughput equated to 98% of combined nameplate capacity despite the various enforced safety stoppages in Q1. The primary spiral replacement programme was successfully completed and enabled the production of specialty grade chrome concentrates to increase to 21.7% of total chrome concentrate production up from 10.1% the prior year, a strategic decision taken to mitigate against the sharp decline in metallurgical grade prices in Q1 and Q2. Specialty grade chrome concentrates typically command a US$30/t premium over standard metallurgical grade chrome concentrates.

LABOUR RELATIONS

Labour relations at the Tharisa Mine remained stable, during the year and we benefit from being in the second year of a three-year wage agreement concluded in the second quarter of FY2015. The agreement ensures annual salary increases in line with South African inflation rates. The interface between the NUM, which represents the majority of our employees, and Tharisa Minerals is constructive and co-operative. Our main contractor, MCC, has recognised AMCU as the representative union at the mine. There have been no material issues with the contractor's labour during the financial period under review.

UTILITIES

Our relationship with our primary utility supplier, Eskom, continues on a sound footing with no material disruptions to electricity supply and with no impact on processing activities during the period under review.

South Africa has experienced a major drought and as a result water supply and sustainability was ranked as our number one risk for our mining and processing operations at the Tharisa Mine. In terms of our mitigation strategy we were able to secure additional water from the nearby Buffelspoort Dam via a temporary transfer and conversion of our agricultural water use rights to industrial use rights. This allocation along with our existing sources of water is sufficient for our operations. We are pleased to report that post-year-end typical rainfall has begun replenishing our conventional water sources.

LOGISTICS

The chrome concentrates destined for main ports in China were shipped either in bulk from the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal or via containers and transported from Johannesburg by road to Durban, from where it was shipped. The economies of scale and in-house expertise have ensured that our transport costs, a major cost of the Group, remains competitive.

Arxo Logistics has sufficient storage capacity at both the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal and the Durban container port to manage Tharisa Minerals' full production capacity.

A total of 923.1 kt (2015: 974.8 kt) of chrome concentrates was shipped by Arxo Logistics in FY2016, mostly to main ports in China. Of this, 95% was shipped in bulk, representing a significant increase on the prior year's bulk shipments of 87%. Bulk shipments are preferred by customers due to ease of handling and reduced port charges, as well as reduced levels of administration. The increase in bulk shipments demonstrates the effectiveness of the newly upgraded rail siding at Marikana and the use of the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal link, as well as the benefit of Arxo Logistics being certified as a clearing agent with the revenue authorities at Richards Bay. Arxo Logistics provided third party logistics services during the period under review and is planning to expand this service offering in the year ahead.

Negotiations regarding a planned public-private partnership for an on-site railway siding at the Tharisa Mine are continuing and final commercial terms are still to be agreed. This will not only improve efficiencies and costs, but will also improve safety and alleviate environmental impacts by reducing road freight haulage.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is at the heart of our business. We are proud of our track record in minimising our environmental impact and, while we strive to improve further, we take pride in our mature and mutually beneficial relationships with the communities that border the Tharisa Mine.

We not only understand our obligations to create social capital as enshrined in the MPRDA, but strive to achieve these obligations in ways that create ongoing sustainable social capital. Our commitment to the neighbouring communities is evidenced in all aspects of our business, not only from our corporate social initiatives and local economic development plans, but also underpinned by equity ownership of the community in Tharisa Minerals.

COMMODITY MARKETS AND SALES

PGM concentrate production continues to be sold to Impala Platinum in terms of the off-take agreement with a total of 132.9 koz of contained PGMs (on a 5PGE + Au basis) being sold during the year. This is an increase of 10.8% over the previous year's sales of 119.9 koz of contained PGMs (on a 5PGE + Au basis).

The PGM prill split by mass is as follows:

Tharisa Minerals is paid a variable percentage of the market value of the contained PGMs in terms of an agreed formula. The PGM basket price has remained under pressure with the average PGM basket price per ounce reducing by 16.8% to US$736/oz (2015: US$885/oz) for the financial year. However, Tharisa Minerals benefited from a weakening of the ZAR relative to the US$, resulting in the ZAR basket price increasing by approximately 2.7%.

Chrome concentrate sales totalled 1.2 Mt, 272.7 kt of which were higher value-add specialty chemical and foundry grade chrome concentrates with the bulk of the sales being metallurgical grade chrome concentrate. The average price for metallurgical grade chrome concentrate on a CIF main ports China basis reduced in US$ terms to US$120/ tonne. China remains the main market for metallurgical chrome concentrate. The agency agreement with Noble for 50 ktpm metallurgical grade chrome concentrate continues.

Chemical and foundry grade chrome concentrates produced by Arxo Metals continued to be sold to Rand York Minerals in terms of an off-take agreement, and chemical grade chrome concentrates produced by Tharisa Minerals. Rand York Minerals and Arxo Resources have agreed to the joint marketing of the chemical grade concentrate sold by Tharisa Minerals.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

The segmental contribution to revenue and gross profit from PGM and chrome concentrates is summarised below:

(Shared costs continue to be allocated on an equal basis to the respective reporting segments)

Group revenue totalled US$219.6 million, a decrease of 11.0% relative to the previous year. The decrease in revenue is attributable to a decrease in the commodity prices for both PGMs and chrome concentrates with the basket price for PGMs reducing by 16.8% per ounce and the metallurgical grade chrome concentrate price on a CIF main ports China basis reducing by 24.1% per tonne over the comparable period. The reduction in revenue was mitigated by the increase in PGM and chrome concentrate volumes sold.

The Group's gross profit margin of 24.8% compared favourably to the comparable period's gross profit margin of 17.5%.

The PGM segment gross margin of 29.7% was higher than the previous year, notwithstanding the sales revenue being negatively impacted by reduced PGM prices. The gross margin improved with a reduction in the overall unit cost of production as annualised steady state production was achieved and recoveries improved. The cost base for PGMs is predominantly in US$ and the weakening of the ZAR relative to the US$ impacted favourably on the PGM sector gross margin.

The chrome segment gross margin of 21.9% was higher than the year before with contributing factors including competitively priced freight rates for bulk shipments of chrome concentrates, reduction in the unit cost of production as steady state production on an annualised basis was achieved and the benefits on the cost base of a weakening ZAR relative to the US$.

Gross margins also benefited following the modification of the Voyager Plant spiral circuits and increased production of chemical grade chrome concentrates which are a higher value specialty product.

After accounting for administrative expenses of US$22.8 million (a reduction of 8.1% over the comparable period), the Group achieved an operating profit of US$32.1 million.

EBITDA amounted to US$43.0 million (2015: US$29.0 million).

Finance costs (totalling US$10.2 million) principally related to the senior debt facility secured by Tharisa Minerals for the construction of the Voyager Plant.

Notwithstanding the depressed commodity prices during the financial year, the Group recorded a substantial improvement in profitability, generating a profit before tax of US$22.0 million compared to the comparable period of US$9.6 million.

The tax charge amounted to US$6.2 million, an effective charge of 28.1%, due primarily to disallowable charges being incurred within the Group's activities, including in relation to inter-group preference share funding.

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations, arising where the Company has funded the underlying subsidiaries with US$ denominated funding and the reporting currency of the underlying subsidiary is not in US$, amounted to a favourable US$4.2 million against the prior year's charge of US$39.4 million. The average exchange rate for the main operating subsidiary (which reports in ZAR) weakened from ZAR11.98 in FY2015 to ZAR14.79 in the current reporting period.

Basic and diluted profit per share for the year amounted to US$ 5 cents (2015: US$ 2 cents) with headline earnings per share of US$ 6 cents (2015: US$ 2 cents).

The major capex for achieving steady state production has been incurred with the current capex spend focussed on stay in business capex and optimisation initiatives to improve recoveries of both PGMs and chrome concentrates. Additions to property, plant and equipment for the period amounted to US$12.3 million, including an amount of US$2.4 million relating to the capitalisation of deferred stripping. The depreciation charge amounted to US$10.2 million (2015: US$10.3 million).

In terms of the Group's Share Award Plan, during the financial year the Company issued 1 089 685 new ordinary shares ranking pari passu with the existing issued ordinary shares following the vesting of conditional awards.

The total debt amounted to US$67.1 million, resulting in a debt-to-total-equity ratio of 33.2%. Offsetting the debt service reserve account amount of US$9.8 million, resulted in a pro forma debt-to-equity ratio of 28.4%. The long-term targeted debt to equity ratio is 15%. Off-setting the debt service reserve account and the cash and cash equivalent of US$15.8 million results in a net debt-to-total-equity ratio of 20.5%.

The principal debt is a senior debt facility raised to fund the expansion of the mining footprint and the construction of the Voyager Plant. The amount outstanding at 30 September 2016 amounted to US$36.5 million (the facility is a ZAR denominated facility). Subsequent to the financial year-end, on 14 November 2016, project completion as defined in the senior debt facility terms was achieved. As a result the interest rate reduces by 140 basis points and the guarantee provided by the Company falls away.

The Group discounted certain letters of credit with financial institutions. This discounting is with recourse. At 30 September 2016, this short-term debt amounted to US$23.0 million.

The Group generated net cash from operations of US$22.2 million (2015: US$41.4 million). Cash on hand amounted to US$15.8 million. In addition, the Group held US$9.8 million in a debt service reserve account.

It is Company policy to pay an annual dividend of 10% of consolidated net profit after tax. No dividend was declared in respect of the financial year ended 30 September 2015 due to the volatility of commodity prices post the financial year-end. It is therefore proposed to declare a distribution of approximately 10% of the cumulative consolidated net profit after tax for the financial year ended 30 September 2015 and September 2016. To comply with Cypriot Companies Law, which precludes dividends being paid unless past losses have been recouped, the distribution, which has been approved by the Board, will, subject to shareholder approval and the necessary court approvals, be made by way of a return of share premium to shareholders (a capital reduction) in the amount of US$ 1 cent per share. The necessary resolution will be proposed at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the Company.

OUTLOOK

With the considerable recovery in chrome concentrate prices underpinned by demand the margins from our chrome business are robust. Our free cash flow for FY2017

and EBITDA margins should grow considerably, supported by solid operational performance and a more favourable commodity outlook. While the PGM basket price in US$ seems suppressed with the weaker South African currency we still maintain healthy margins and are geared to benefit from a recovery in this market. We look to additional optimisation within our stay in business capex, with the high energy flotation conversion in the Genesis plant boosting PGM recoveries within this plant, as well as the secondary spiral replacement programme underway potentially unlocking further chrome units.

Reaching steady state on an annualised basis in the year under review has set the business up to benefit from incremental improvements in feed grade, recoveries and more buoyant commodity markets. The production outlook for FY2017 remains at 147.4 koz of PGMs and 1.3 Mt of chrome concentrates, of which 300 kt will be specialty grade chrome concentrates.

The management team is positive about the prospects for the year ahead and believe that it will be the definitive year where the economies of scale will be demonstrated through reduced unit costs and increasing operating margins and material profits.

We thank our Board, management, employees, customers, suppliers and partners who have assisted the Company during this profitable year.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 30 September 2016

Preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements

The condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2016 have been extracted from the audited financial statements of the Group, but have not been audited. The auditor's report on the audited financial statements does not report on all of the information contained herein. Shareholders are therefore advised that in order to obtain a full understanding of the financial position and results of the Group, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with the full audited financial statements and full audit report.

These condensed consolidated financial statements and the audited financial statements, together with the audit report, are available on the Company's website, www.tharisa.com and are available for inspection at the registered office of the Company.

The directors take full responsibility for the preparation of this report and the correct extraction of the financial information from the underlying financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements have been reported on without qualification by KPMG Limited.

The preparation of these condensed results was supervised by the Chief Finance Officer, Michael Jones, a Chartered Accountant (SA).

The consolidated Annual Financial Statements have been approved by the Board on 28 November 2016.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 30 September 2016

The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 28 November 2016.

Phoevos Pouroulis Michael Jones

Director Director

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY for the year ended 30 September 2016

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 30 September 2016

Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

1. REPORTING ENTITY

Tharisa plc ("the Company") is a company domiciled in Cyprus. These condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2016 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as "the Group"). The Group is primarily involved in platinum group metals ("PGM") and chrome mining, processing, trading and the associated logistics.

2. BASIS OF PREPARATION

Statement of compliance

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), International Accounting Standards, IAS34 Interim Financial Reporting, the Listings Requirements of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Cyprus Companies Law, Cap. 113. Selected explanatory notes are included to explain events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in financial position and performance of the Group since the last consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 30 September 2015. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information required for full consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

These condensed consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 November 2016.

Use of estimates and judgements

Preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

In preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements, significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied to the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 30 September 2015.

Going concern

After making enquiries which include reviews of current cash resources, forecasts and budgets, timing of cash flows,borrowing facilities and sensitivity analyses and considering the associated uncertainties to the Group's operations, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate financial resources to continue in operationalexistence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements and the condensed consolidated financial statements.

New and revised International Financial Reporting Standards and Interpretations

As from 1 October 2015, the Group adopted all changes to IFRS, which are relevant to its operations. The adoption did not have a material effect on the accounting policies of the Group.

The following Standards, Amendments to Standards and Interpretations have been issued but are not yet effective for annual periods beginning on 1 October 2015. The Board of Directors is currently evaluating the impact of these on the Group.

- IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018).

- IFRS 16 Leases (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019).

- Amendments to IAS 12: Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses (effective for annual periods

beginning on or after 1 January 2017).

- Amendments to IAS 7: Disclosure Initiatives (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017).

- IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018).

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed consolidated financial statements are the same as those

applied by the Group in its audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 30 September 2015.

4. OPERATING SEGMENTS

Segmental performance is measured based on segment revenue, cost of sales and gross profit or loss, as included in the internal management reports that are reviewed by the Group's management.

The overhead costs relating to the manufacturing of the PGM and the chrome concentrates are allocated to the relevant operating segments based on the relative sales value per product on an ex-works basis. The allocated percentage for PGM concentrate and chrome concentrates accounted for this financial year is 50% for each segment which is consistent with the prior year allocation.

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

The following table sets out information about the geographical location of:

 (i) the Group's revenue from external customers; and

 (ii) the Group's property, plant and equipment and goodwill ("specified non-current assets").

The geographical location analysis of revenue from external customers is based on the country of establishment of each customer. The geographical location of the specified non-current assets is based on the physical location of the asset in the case of property, plant and equipment and the location of the operation to which they are allocated in the case of goodwill.

 (i) Revenue from external customers

Revenue represents the sales value of goods supplied to customers, net of value-added tax. The following table

summarises sales to customers with whom transactions have individually exceeded 10% of the Group's revenues.

7. EARNINGS PER SHARE

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share has been based on the following profit attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the Company and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding.

LTIP and SARS awards were excluded from the diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares calculation because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

HEADLINE AND DILUTED HEADLINE EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of headline and diluted headline earnings per share has been based on the following headline earnings attributable to the ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding.

RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT TO HEADLINE EARNINGS

Deferred stripping additions of US$2.4 million (30 September 2015: US$15.2 million) are included in mining assets and infrastructure.

During the year the Group acquired equipment under a finance lease. The leased equipment secures lease obligations. At 30 September 2016 the carrying amount of the leased equipment was equal to the cost as the equipment was not yet fully operational.

During the current year, the estimated economically recoverable proved and probable mineral reserve was reassessed which gave rise to a change in accounting estimate. The remaining reserve that management had previously assessed was 112.2 Mt and at 31 December 2015 was assessed to be 106.4 Mt. As a result, the expected useful life of the plant decreased. The effect of the change on the actual depreciation expense, included in cost of sales, is an additional US$0.3 million.

CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

At 30 September 2016, the Group's capital commitments for contracts to purchase property, plant and equipment amounted to US$1.8 million (30 September 2015: US$1.4 million).

SECURITIES

At 30 September 2016, an amount of US$200.8 million (30 September 2015: US$196.4 million) of the carrying amount of the Group's tangible property, plant and equipment was pledged as security against secured bank borrowings.

The long-term deposits represent restricted cash which is designated as a "debt service reserve account" as required by the terms of the Common Terms Agreement for the senior debt facility of Tharisa Minerals Proprietary Limited.

FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

The Group entered into a number of forward exchange contracts to hedge certain aspects of the foreign exchange risk associated to the conversion of the US$ to the ZAR. The net exposure of these contracts is US$11.6 million with various expiries no later than on or before 30 December 2016.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are not offset unless the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset such assets and liabilities.

The estimates used to assess the recoverability of recognised deferred tax assets include a forecast of the future taxable income and future cash flow projections based on a three year period. The Group did not have tax losses and temporary differences for which deferred tax was not recognised.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The Group impaired certain consumables and spares as the operational use became doubtful with no anticipated recoverable amount or value in use. The impaired consumables are equally allocated to the operating segments reported. There were no write downs to net realisable value during the year (30 September 2015: US$0.1 million).

Inventories are subject to a general notarial bond in favour of the lenders of the senior debt facility.

13. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

As at 30 September 2016 an amount of US$1.6 million (30 September 2015: US$1.6 million) was provided as security for certain credit facilities and bank guarantees of the Group. A credit facility available to the Group at 30 September 2015 was not extended during the year and secured cash of US$2.5 million was consequently released.

Allotments during the year were in respect of the award of 1 089 685 (30 September 2015: 1 111 240) ordinary shares granted in terms of the Share Award Scheme.

SHARE PREMIUM

During the years ended 30 September 2016 and 30 September 2015, the increases in the share premium account related to the issue and allotment of ordinary shares granted in terms of the Share Award Schemes.

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

During the year ended 30 September 2015, the Company reassessed its interpretation and application of IFRS 10: Consolidated Financial Statements. Consequently the treatment of intergroup funding transactions on a consolidated level and the impact of these transactions on the non-controlling interests were reconsidered. This resulted in a reclassification from non-controlling interest to the revenue reserves.

FINANCE LEASES

During the year the Group acquired equipment of ZAR22.9 million under a finance lease. The leased equipment secures lease obligations. The lease term was 24 months and the average effective borrowing rate was South African prime rate plus 3% pa. The interest rate was fixed at the contract date. No arrangements have been entered into for contingent rent.

DEFERRED SUPPLIER

The balance relates to a trade payable of which payment has been deferred. The amount payable is unsecured, bears interest at the South African prime rate and is repayable in 12-monthly instalments commencing on 30 October 2017.

The Board of Directors considers that the fair values of financial assets and liabilities approximate their carrying values at each reporting date.