If you would like to ask our webinar guest speakers from Blue Whale Growth Fund, Taseko Mines, Kavango Resources and CQS Natural Resources fund a question please submit them here.

 

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksTharisa Regulatory News (THS)

Share Price Information for Tharisa (THS)

London Stock Exchange
Share Price is delayed by 15 minutes
Get Live Data
Share Price: 69.00
Bid: 68.00
Ask: 70.00
Change: 0.50 (0.73%)
Spread: 2.00 (2.941%)
Open: 68.50
High: 69.00
Low: 69.00
Prev. Close: 68.50
THS Live PriceLast checked at -

Watchlists are a member only feature

Login to your account

Alerts are a premium feature

Login to your account

Tharisa Q1 FY2024 production report

11 Jan 2024 07:00

RNS Number : 2912Z
Tharisa PLC
11 January 2024
 

Tharisa plc

(Incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus with limited liability)

(Registration number HE223412)

JSE share code: THA

LSE share code: THS

A2X share code: THA

ISIN: CY0103562118

LEI: 213800WW4YWMVVZIJM90

('Tharisa' or the 'Company')

 

PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER FY2024 ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Tharisa, the mining, metals, and innovation company dual-listed on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges, announces its production results for Q1 FY2024[1] and cash balance as at quarter end.

 

Quarter highlights

? Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate ('LTIFR') of

? 0.09 per 200 000-man hours worked at Tharisa Minerals

? 0.13 per 200 000-man hours worked at Karo Platinum

? Increased mill throughput of 8.7% at 1 424.4 kt, with improvements in both grade and recovery for PGMs and chrome concentrate leads to

? PGM output increasing to 35.7 koz (Q4 FY2023: 30.7 koz)

? Record quarterly chrome output at 462.8 kt (Q4 FY2023: 413.4 kt)

? PGM basket price showed slight improvement of 1% to US$1 344/oz (6E basis) (Q4 FY2023: US$1 331/oz)

? Average metallurgical grade chrome concentrate prices held steady at US$291/t (Q4 FY2023: US$291/t)

? Group cash on hand at US$221.5 million (30 September 2023: US$268.8 million), and debt of US$126.6 million (30 September 2023: US$142.2 million), resulting in a net cash position of US$94.9 million (30 September 2023: US$126.6 million)

? Production guidance for FY2024 remains between 145 koz and 155 koz PGMs (6E basis) and 1.7 Mt to 1.8 Mt of chrome concentrates

Key Operating Numbers

Quarter ended 31 Dec 2023 

Quarter ended 30 Sep 2023 

Quarter on quarter movement % 

Quarter ended 31 Dec 2022 

Year ended 30 Sep 2023 

Reef mined

kt

1 058.6

1 158.9

(8.7)

1 081.5

4 177.3

Reef milled

kt

1 424.4

1 310.2

8.7 

1 427.4

5 409.8

PGMs produced (6E)

koz

35.7

30.7

16.3 

42.7

144.7

Chrome concentrates produced (excluding third party)

kt

462.8

413.4

11.9 

383.1

1 580.1

Average PGM basket price

US$/oz

1 344

1 331

1.0 

2 360

1 893

Average metallurgical grade chrome concentrate price - 42% basis

US$/t

291

291

223

263

 

Phoevos Pouroulis, CEO of Tharisa, commented:

"A positive start to our new financial year in what is traditionally a tough quarter with the festive season and inclement weather typically causing challenges to operations. We have made good operational improvements, with waste mining advances leading to a better mining and plant performance, resulting in record quarterly chrome production.

This performance is vital and underpins our development of the Karo Platinum Project and sets the trajectory for the coming decades at our multi-generational Tharisa Mine.

PGM prices remain subdued, negatively affecting many of the PGM miners in South Africa, once again our co-product business model continues to be operationally cash-generative, and the chrome market continues to enjoy strong demand as we enter the Chinese New Year.

This year we will be expanding and rolling out our R&D projects in distinct stages of development and commercialisation. With a solid foundation we can re-frame the operating context and re-focus our energy on our key competencies ultimately unlocking value to all stakeholders."

 

Health & Safety

? The health and safety of our stakeholders remains a core value to the Group and Tharisa continues to strive for zero harm at its operations

? LTIFR of

? 0.09 per 200 000-man hours worked at Tharisa Minerals

? 0.13 per 200 000-man hours worked at Karo Platinum

Market Update

? Continued strong demand was evident in the chrome market, particularly in the lead up to, these days, a less disruptive Chinese New Year period (official start date 10 February 2024), with demand underpinned by economic fundamentals and continued concerns about inland logistics in South Africa. Freight rates are ticking up on the back of geo-political events impacting maritime shipping routes

? The PGM market has continued to suffer from pricing pressure, however, a short-term reprieve towards the end of the quarter, driven by technical short covering, saw some price spikes. The effect of these low prices is evident on the PGM mines in South Africa, with shaft and even mine closures underway. The major pressure on PGM prices remains the (perceived) excess inventory in the PGM pipeline. We expect this to be balanced once the real demand we have seen from end users becomes evident, in particular as further supply cuts are implemented and, on a macro level, policy reduction of subsidies for EV vehicles influences demand

Operational Update

? Total reef mined slightly down at 1 058.6 kt (Q4 FY2023: 1 158.9 kt)

? Strategic ROM ore purchases supplemented own mine production with Q1 FY2024 milling at 1 424.4 kt (Q4 FY2023: 1 310.2kt)

? Quarterly chrome production at a record 462.8 kt (Q4 FY2023: 413.4 kt)

? Grade of 19.1% Cr2O3 (Q4 FY2023: 18.7%)

? Recovery at 70.3% (Q4 FY2023: 70.0%)

? Quarterly PGM production at 35.7 koz (Q4 FY2023: 30.7 koz)

? Rougher feed grade of 1.60 g/t (Q4 FY2023: 1.57 g/t)

? Recovery of 66.1% (Q4 FY2023: 62.7%)

Karo Platinum Update

? The previously announced review of the commissioning timeline of the Karo Platinum Project remains on track for first ore in mill (FOIM) for June 2025

? Funding solutions ring fenced to Karo Platinum are being pursued in line with the revised production timeline

Cash Balance and Debt Position

? Group cash on hand at US$221.5 million (30 September 2023: US$268.8 million), and debt of US$126.6 million (30 September 2023: US$142.2 million), resulting in a net cash position of US$94.9 million (30 September 2023: US$126.6 million)

Guidance

Production guidance for FY2024 is set between 145 koz and 155 koz PGMs (6E basis) and 1.7 Mt to 1.8 Mt of chrome concentrates.

 

Any forward looking statements have not been reported on or reviewed by Tharisa's auditors.

 

 

Quarter ended 31 Dec 2023 

Quarter ended 30 Sep 2023 

Quarter on quarter movement % 

Quarter ended 31 Dec 2022 

Year ended 30 Sep 2023 

Reef mined

kt

1 058.6

1 158.9

(8.7)

1 081.5

4 177.3

Stripping ratio

m3: m3

12.0

14.0

(14.3)

10.6

12.8

Reef milled

kt

1 424.4

1 310.2

8.7 

1 427.4

5 409.8

PGM flotation feed

kt

1 048.0

970.6

8.0 

1 115.3

4 122.0

PGM rougher feed grade

g/t

1.60

1.57

1.9 

1.66

1.64

PGM recovery

%

66.1

62.7

5.4 

71.7

66.5

6E PGMs produced

koz

35.7

30.7

16.3 

42.7

144.7

Platinum

koz

20.5

17.3

18.5 

23.2

80.3

Palladium

koz

5.2

5.2

7.5

24.8

Rhodium

koz

3.3

3.0

10.0 

4.2

13.5

Average PGM basket price

US$/oz

1 344

1 331

1.0 

2 360

1 893

Platinum

US$/oz

914

940

(2.8)

967

981

Palladium

US$/oz

1 090

1 227

(11.2)

1 952

1 594

Rhodium

US$/oz

4 216

3 841

9.8 

12 951

8 992

Average PGM basket price

ZAR/oz

25 189

24 842

1.4 

41 682

34 107

Cr2O3 ROM grade

%

19.1

18.7

2.1 

17.0

17.9

Chrome recovery

%

70.3

70.0

0.4 

65.7

67.6

Chrome yield

%

32.5

31.6

2.8 

26.8

29.2

Chrome concentrates produced (excluding third party)

kt

462.8

413.4

11.9 

383.1

1 580.1

Metallurgical grade

kt

389.9

338.4

15.2 

347.2

1 356.9

Specialty grades

kt

72.9

75.0

(2.8)

35.9

223.2

Third party chrome production

kt

45.4

58.9

(22.9)

40.9

201.9

Average metallurgical grade chrome concentrate contract price - 42% basis

US$/t CIF China

291

291

223

263

Metallurgical grade chrome concentrate contract price

ZAR/t CIF China

5 445

5 273

3.3 

3 932

4 840

Average exchange rate

ZAR:US$

18.7

18.7

17.6

18.2

 

Paphos, Cyprus

11 January 2024

JSE Sponsor

Investec Bank Limited

Connect with us on LinkedIn to get further news and updates about our business.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Ilja Graulich (Head of Investor Relations and Communications)

+27 11 996 3500

+27 83 604 0820

igraulich@tharisa.com

Broker Contacts:

Peel Hunt LLP (UK Joint Broker)

Ross Allister / Georgia Langoulant

+44 207 418 8900

  

BMO Capital Markets Limited (UK Joint Broker)

Thomas Rider / Nick Macann

+44 207 236 1010

 

Berenberg (UK Joint Broker)

Matthew Armitt / Jennifer Lee / Detlir Elezi

+44 203 207 7800

 

 

About Tharisa

Tharisa is an integrated resource group critical to the energy transition and decarbonisation of economies. It incorporates exploration, mining, processing and the beneficiation, marketing, sales, and logistics of PGMs and chrome concentrates, using innovation and technology as enablers. Its principal operating asset is the Tharisa Mine, located in the south-western limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. The mine has a 13-year open pit life and is strategically advancing the vast mechanised underground resource which extends for over 60 years. Tharisa is developing the Karo Platinum Project, a low-cost, open-pit PGM asset located on the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. The Company is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and the development of a roadmap to become net carbon neutral by 2050. As part of this energy transition, the 40 MW solar project adjacent to the Tharisa Mine is well advanced. Redox One is accelerating the development of a proprietary iron chromium redox flow long duration battery utilising the commodities we mine. Tharisa plc is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: THA) and the Main Board of the London Stock Exchange (LSE: THS).

 

 


[1] Tharisa's financial year is from 01 October to 30 September

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
 
END
 
 
MSCMZGMMDGLGDZM
Date   Source Headline
1st Jul 202210:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
13th Jun 202212:00 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
9th Jun 20228:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
1st Jun 20227:00 amRNSIssue of Equity
26th May 20227:00 amRNSResults for H1 FY2022 and dividend timetable
25th May 20228:27 amRNSH1FY2022 Results and Investor Presentation
24th May 20229:00 amRNSUpdate: Acquisition BEE shares in Tharisa Minerals
20th May 202210:00 amRNSTrading Statement - H1 FY2022
18th May 20221:00 pmRNSFairness opinion - Karo PGM Project
12th Apr 20227:00 amRNSProduction Report Q2 FY2022
7th Apr 20229:00 amRNSIssue of equity and voting rights
4th Apr 20227:00 amRNSBernard Pryor appointed managing director of Karo
1st Apr 20229:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
31st Mar 202210:26 amRNSInvestor Meet live presentation - Karo PGM Project
31st Mar 20228:05 amRNSEXERCISE OF FARM-IN OPTION - KARO PGM PROJECT
23rd Mar 20222:00 pmRNSBlock listing Interim Review
8th Mar 20228:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
2nd Mar 20227:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
1st Mar 20227:00 amRNSTharisa undertakes production tests with Liebherr
24th Feb 20227:00 amRNSAGM results and dividend conversion and timetable
21st Feb 20228:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
21st Feb 20227:00 amRNSIssue of Equity and voting rights
16th Feb 202212:00 pmRNSAcquisition of BEE shareholders' interest
14th Feb 20227:00 amRNSCautionary statement
4th Feb 20227:00 amRNSTHARISA SIGNS MOU FOR 40 MWp SOLAR PV PROJECT
3rd Feb 202210:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
1st Feb 202211:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
13th Jan 20227:00 amRNSQ1 FY2022 Production results
12th Jan 20222:00 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
22nd Dec 20217:00 amRNSMailing of Annual Report and Notice of AGM
2nd Dec 20217:00 amRNSAnnual Financial Report FY2021
1st Dec 202111:00 amRNSFY2021 results to be released on 1 December 2021
25th Nov 20217:00 amRNSTrading statement – FY2021
18th Nov 20217:00 amRNSTharisa extends open pit LOM by 7 years to 2041
2nd Nov 20212:00 pmRNSTransfer of treasury shares & total voting rights
12th Oct 20217:00 amRNSTharisa Q4 and FY2021 Production Results
5th Oct 20217:00 amRNSCold commissioning of Vulcan Plant
1st Oct 202110:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
29th Sep 20217:00 amRNSTharisa announces decarbonisation targets
21st Sep 20217:00 amRNSTharisa LID, committees & managerial appointments
2nd Aug 20217:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights at 30 July 2021
12th Jul 202110:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
9th Jul 20217:00 amRNSTharisa Q3 FY2021 Production Report
1st Jul 20217:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights and capital
1st Jun 20217:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights and transfer from treasury
27th May 20217:00 amRNSHalf-year Report
26th May 20217:00 amRNSRelease of H1 FY2021 results on 27 May 2021
19th May 20217:00 amRNSTrading Statement H1FY2021
5th May 20217:00 amRNSTharisa acquires 100% of Salene Chrome Zimbabwe
13th Apr 20212:00 pmRNSNotification of major shareholding

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.