REG - Tharisa PLC - CONSTRUCTION COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY KARO PLATINUM

TharisaAnnouncement

07/12/2022 12:15

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RNS Number : 9106I  Tharisa PLC  07 December 2022

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')

 

Commencement of ConstruCtion CerEMONY KARO PLATINUM

MOU signed for a 30 MWp solar PV project with Total Eren

Tharisa, the platinum group metals ('PGMs') and chrome co-producer dual-listed
on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges, is pleased to announce that in
a ceremony at the Karo Platinum site, held today attended by Honourable
Winston Chitando, the start of construction was officially recognised.

Tharisa is a 70% shareholder in Karo Mining Holdings ('Karo') which in turn
indirectly owns 85% of the Karo Platinum Project ('Karo Project'), with the
Government of Zimbabwe holding the remaining 15%, on a free carry basis.

The Ceremony was attended by Honourable Minister Chitando, Zimbabwe's Minister
of Mines & Development, but also local Chiefs, dignitaries and Karo
construction and development partners. Significantly, representatives from
Total Eren, a leading France-based renewable energy Independent Power Producer
and Chariot Limited ('Chariot'), the Africa focused transitional energy group,
were in attendance, with Total Eren having signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to partner on and develop, finance, build and operate a 30
MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) project that will provide competitive solar
electricity for the Karo Platinum Project, in Zimbabwe. Total Eren and Chariot
are also partners in developing a 40 MWp PV plant at Tharisa's existing tier 1
PGM and chrome mine in South Africa, designed to ensure Tharisa exceeds its
desired carbon emission reduction target of 30% by 2030 and carbon net
neutrality by 2050, and providing synergies in building both power projects.

Minister Chitando reiterated that Zimbabwe is open for business and welcomed
Karo as a partner of the government in this new mine development, which will
see Karo create some 1,000 permanent jobs and up to 7,000 jobs during the
construction phase. Some 100 jobs have already been created prior to the
construction commencement with a similar number of contractors on site. Karo
is set to be a significant contributor to both GDP and delivering a
sustainable, long-life integrated mining operation through Tharisa's proven
world class development approach for projects such as Karo.

The Mining Lease area for the Karo Project covers an area of 23 903 ha (239
km²) and is located within the Great Dyke in the Mashonaland West District of
Zimbabwe, approximately 80 km southwest of Harare and 35 km southeast of
Chegutu. The Great Dyke is a PGM bearing geological feature that runs from a
north to south direction. At approximately 550 km in length and up to 11 km
wide, it is second globally to the Bushveld Complex of South Africa in terms
of its PGM resource base.

The project, which is situated within a designated Special Economic Zone
('SEZ'), is located in the southern portion of the middle chamber of the Great
Dyke and is supported by good infrastructure, including road and power access
in the project area.

Karo is also in the process of raising funds via a proposed bond listing on
the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange which will be used in part fund the
development of the Karo Platinum Project, which has a total capital cost for
phase one of US$391 million.

Commenting on the day's proceedings, Bernard Pryor, MD of Karo said: "Days of
celebration like today are immensely important in the development of large
scale, impact projects like Karo Platinum. It shows the commitment from both
the Government of Zimbabwe, our local stakeholders and the entire Karo team in
ensuring we deliver this project on time and on budget. It has been a mere
four years, interrupted by over a year due to COVID-19, since we first set
foot on the ground, and I want to thank the entire Karo team and the
Honourable Minister Chitando in particular for their commitment to this
project. It is now up to the Karo team to deliver on the timeline provided,
and I look forward to welcoming all again here when we deliver our first ore
into the mill in Q3 2024."

Tharisa CEO, Phoevos Pouroulis added: "I can only add my gratitude to the
Government of Zimbabwe, represented by Honourable Minister Chitando, I also
wish to extend our gratitude to the local Chiefs and communities that have
really welcomed us with open arms as we embark on the next phase of the
Tharisa growth story. We have a track record of not only building mines but
have over a decade run the Tharisa Mine in a sustainable and profitable manner
that has benefitted all stakeholders through job creation, upliftment and
upskilling and returns to governments in the forms of royalty, taxes and the
benefits of sustainable development and infrastructure. Stable fiscal
environments ensure private capital is willing to invest and ensure impactful
investment for all concerned and I look forward to being part of this next
step on the Tharisa journey."

 

Paphos, Cyprus

 

7 December 2022

 

JSE Sponsor

Investec Bank Limited

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Investor Relations Contacts:

Ilja Graulich (Head of Investor Relations and Communications)

+27 11 996 3500

+27 83 604 0820

igraulich@tharisa.com (mailto:igraulich@tharisa.com)

 

Financial PR Contacts:

Bobby Morse / Oonagh Reidy

+44 207 466 5000

tharisa@buchanan.uk.com

 

Broker Contacts:

Peel Hunt LLP (UK Joint Broker)

Ross Allister / Georgia Langoulant

+44 207 7418 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

 

Nedbank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division)
(RSA Broker)

Carlyle Whittaker

+27 11 294 0061

 

About Tharisa

Tharisa is an integrated resource group critical to the energy transition and
decarbonisation of economies. It incorporates mining, processing, exploration,
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 mechanised mine has a 20-year open-pit
life and the ability to extend operations underground by at least an
additional 40 years. Tharisa also owns Karo Mining Holdings a development
stage, 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 is continuing to be net carbon neutral by 2050.
Tharisa plc is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: THA) and the
Main Board of the London Stock Exchange (LSE: THS).

 

 

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