Upload
dinhhuong
View
218
Download
8
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
DisclaimerForward-Looking InformationThis document may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and Sierra Rutile Limited (the “Company”) does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as requiredunder applicable securities legislation.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Company management’s expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, success of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward lookingstatements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of mineral resources; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; as well as those factors detailed from time to time in the Company's interim and annual reports.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
75%
22%17%
6%1% 0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Sierra Rutile Iluka TiWest Exxaro Kenmare Doral
% R
uti
le C
on
ten
t o
f P
rod
uct
ion
TiO2 Producers - % Rutile Content
Company Overview
TiO2 peers – Quality of tonnage produced
TiO2 peers - % Natural rutile content of production
Source: Sierra Rutile estimates.
A world-class deposit• A unique asset
The world’s only large, high-grade, producing primary rutilemine
– Largest primary rutile mine in the world
– The highest rutile content of all TiO2 producers• Natural rutile commands the highest price of all TiO2
feedstocks
– Highest rutile grade of any primary rutile producing mine in the world, at 1.42%
– A producing operation
– Potential mine life in excess of 70 years at current rates
• Significant upside potentialGrowth potential in a strengthening rutile market provides outstanding leverage to prices
– Long-term structural deficits in rutile market• TZMI Projections for significant increases in rutile
price
• 70-75% increase in Iluka’s rutile prices in H2 2011
– An asset with considerable upside• Optimization of existing assets
• Expansion of production
• On-stream zircon
• Rare earths processing & separation
• Significant exploration potential
1
Increasing value of tonnage
The highest rutile content of all Ti feedstock producers
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Iluka Sierra Rutile Exxaro TiWest Doral Kenmare
Natural Rutile Zircon Ilmenite Leucoxene
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
149 151 144
74 83 79 64 68
60.3 64.353.5
1416 17
15 1868
0
50
100
150
200
250
1992 1993 1994 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Pro
du
ctio
n (
'00
0 t
pa)
Rutile Ilmenite Zircon Average
Company Overview
SRL’s production history
Source: Sierra Rutile
An established mineral sands producer• Commenced mining in 1979
– Built and initially operated by global metals group, Bethlehem Steel
– Highly successful operations until civil war in 1995• Produced 30% of the world’s rutile before civil
war• Contributed 60% to Sierra Leone’s GDP
• Operations re-started in 2006– IPO on AIM in 2005– Under management at the time, growth strategy failed
• Target to increase production capacity to 200,000tpa
• D2– Ca. 100,000tpa of additional capacity– Commissioning and ramp-up delays– Eventual capsize
• D3– Construction plans shelved following D2 incident
• A wealth of experience in Sierra Leone– Sierra Leone well on the road to recovery
• A stable democracy• EU funding• Tony Blair “sponsorship”
– Long-standing relationships in government– Established mining law
• Deep mineral sands expertise– Decades of experience
• Many staff from pre-war times– Highly skilled workforce– >95% Sierra Leone nationals
Average pre-war production 208ktpa
Asset under-performance post-’06
D1 and floating wet plant working at Lanti
2
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Capsize of D2 and subsequent
trading halt
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0Sh
are
Pri
ce (
p)
GoSL claims SRL missed interest
payments and recalls debt
Company Overview
Pala Investments become cornerstone
investor. Management
initiates strategic review
New resource statement & identification of rare
earths in tailings stream
A turnaround story
Delays and issues with
commissioning and ramp up
with D2
2011: Turnaround Initiated• Strengthened management team
– Turnaround & industry specialists
– Enhanced board
• A new cornerstone investor• Strategic review commenced• Government relations resolved
2008 – 2010: Asset Underperformance• Growth plans fail
– Poorly managed expansion
– D2 capsize
– Growth plans cancelled
• Operations starved of investment
3
Issue with GoSLresolved. All claims
formally withdrawn
Trading Halt
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
The Building Blocks for SRL’s Turnaround
Producing asset
Shar
eh
old
er
Val
ue
Skilled & experienced workforce
Phase 1:Near-term
improvements
With solid foundations, and a turnaround in process, SRL has the potential to generate considerable shareholder value.
Outstanding market
fundamentals
World-class rutiledeposit
Government & Community
relations
Existing infrastructure
Phase 2:Expansion
Stra
tegi
c R
evi
ew
Fou
nd
atio
ns
World-Class Mineral Sands Company
4
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
A World-Class Deposit
The largest primary rutile mine in the world
• JORC Mineral Resource in excess of 600 million tonnes at 0.8% rutile cut-off grade*
• Measured and indicated resource of 441 million tonnes
– High grade of natural rutile at 1.42%
• A potential mine life of over 70 years at current digging rates
• Fully licensed and permitted
*Mineral Resources include those resources which have been modified to produce the Ore Reserves. The figures reported represent 100% of the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves attributable to Sierra Rutile Limited.
**Insufficient historical data was available to provide a JORC-compliant inferred heavy mineral, ilmenite and zircon grade estimate
Significant opportunity to expand resource
• 60,000 ha of land licensed for mining
– Only 10,000 ha has been explored
– Further exploration campaign commenced
SRL’s deposit is large, long life, and its assemblage dominated by high-value, high-grade rutile.
63% of payable heavy mineral is high-value rutile,
ca. 88% by value
Tonnes Grade (%) Contained Tonnes (kt)
Classification Millions HM Rut Ilm Zir HM Rut Ilm Zir
Measured 4.4 2.30 1.13 0.42 0.18 102 50 19 8
Indicated 436.6 6.18 1.42 0.74 0.32 26,992 6,204 3,242 1,377
Measured & Indicated 441.0 6.14 1.42 0.74 0.31 27,094 6,254 3,261 1,385
Inferred** 163.9 - 0.96 - - 1,575 - -
Total Measured, Indicated
& Inferred604.9 27,094 7,829 3,261 1,385
5
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
The Natural Rutile Advantage
Source: TZMI, Sierra Rutile
Data based on performance of a typical chlorination plant, indexed to performance of natural rutile
Natural rutile’s superior performance in pigment manufacturing
Natural rutile’s superior performance yields premium prices.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8Ore Consumption
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14Chloride Consumption
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18Waste Index
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6Coke Consumption
Synthetic Rutile
Ilmenite
Slag
Natural Rutile
17 times less waste than ilmenite
13 times less chloride consumption than
ilmenite
Natural rutile is far more efficient
than all other feedstocks in
manufacturing TiCl4
6
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
The Natural Rutile Advantage – Price
Price differential at >$1,000/t in near term and
beyond
0%
100%
200%
300%
400%
500%
600%
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
2010 2011E 2012E 2013E 2014E 2015E
Rutile versus Ilmentite Pricing
Ilmenite ($/t) Rutile Price Differential ($/t) Differential (%)
Rutile is forecast to yield prices >400% higher than ilmenite from 2012 and beyond
Premium prices forecast for natural rutile compared with both ilmenite and synthetic rutile
Natural rutile’s price premium over other feedstocks is significant and forecast to grow as SRL executes its turnaround.
Natural rutile will continue to yield premiums over synthetic rutile of 10-15%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
2010 2011E 2012E 2013E 2014E 2015E
Rutile versus Synthetic Pricing
Synthetic Rutile ($/t) Rutile Price Differential Differential (%)
7
Use of synthetic rutile in the pigment production process can be significantly more
expensive than usage of natural rutile
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
SRL’s Premium Product
Characteristic Benefit
High TiO2 levels Increased recovery
Low tin levels Important for effective TiO2 and Ti metal production
Good particle shape Important for stability in fluidized bed
High bulk density Reduces elutriation losses during the chlorination process
High packing density Important for flux core wire welding application
SRL’s natural rutile has a number of favourable physical and chemical characteristics which give it an advantage over competitor products
8
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Freetown
Sierra Leone
Operations OverviewPort - Niti
Shipping fleet
D1 - 1,000tph dredge Floating concentrator
Mineral separation plant
23MW power station
Mine Area
(see above)
9
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
A Producing AssetA long history of operation
• D1 – 1,000tph electric bucket dredge– In operation since 1979 (excluding civil war)
• Successfully built and operated by Bethlehem Steel and Nord Resources
– Finished product production of 130,000tpa (pre-war)
– Recent underperformance driven by under-investment
• Now in turnaround with a strengthened management team
A wealth of operating knowledge
• A deep understanding of SRL’s operations– Decades of experience with SRL’s world-class resource
• Geologically well understood
• Significant experience in handling of SRL’s ore
• Knowledge of separation and processing behaviors
– Deep knowledge of and experience with facilities
• D1
• Wet plant
• Land plant
• Working in Sierra Leone– Relationships in government
– Established community initiatives
– Significant experience in and understanding of Sierra Leone law
• Mining law
• Commercial law
– Delays
D1 at Lanti
SRL’s operations have a long history of production.
10
Lanti Wet Plant
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Significant Infrastructure Already In PlaceSRL’s infrastructure alone has an estimated replacement cost of >$200 million• Port
– Storage capacity 25,000 tonnes of finished product – Shipping capacity >200,000 tonnes per year
• Power and grid system– New power plant – capacity of 23MW – only 9MW currently in use– 48km power lines – supplying all deposits to be mined in the next five years
• Roads– 80km of haulage road
• Engineering facilities– Warehouse– Modern workshop– Garage
• On-site Camp – Attractive facilities
• Restaurant, gym, squash and tennis courts• Key for retention of talent
Engineering workshop
Powerhouse
Port
Roads and grid system
Camp and facilities
Infrastructure is already in place to deliver SRL’s turnaround and expansion.
Storage domes
11
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Focus on retaining and growing talent
• >95% Sierra Leonean nationals– Excellent retention rates
– A champion for Sierra Leone
• Regular training
• Programs– Fast track
– Apprenticeship
• Technical Institute
• Attractive facilities – Expats and senior management can live on-site
Highly-skilled workforce
• Decades of experience in mineral sands– Many employees from pre-war times
• Highly educated– >100 staff with university education
– Significant recruitment from premier universities of Sierra Leone, Fourah and Njala
• Focused management team– Strengthened management
– Specialists recruited for turnaround:
• Operations
• Strategy
• Risk management
Skilled & Experienced Workforce
Mining MetallurgyProcessing Lab
An existing workforce with deep mineral sands industry expertise.
12
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Strong Government and Community Relations
Technical College
Aquaculture – Fish ponds
Strong relationship with government
• Long-standing relationships– Conflict with government fully resolved with new cornerstone shareholder
– Pre-payment of EUR13 million of loan to GoSL in March 2011
– Government fully supportive of turnaround
• Considerable contribution to economy– Significant proportion of Sierra Leonean GDP and exports
– Large employer
Positive community relations
• Construction and maintenance of local technical college and villages
• Economic contributions to community– $800k annual surface rent to local groups
– $150k annual funding to the Sierra Rutile Foundation
– $75k annual contribution to the Agricultural Development Fund
• Agriculture initiatives– Crop plantations
– Fish farms
Environmental consideration
• Continual rehabilitation
• Minimization of environmental impact
SRL has long-standing, established relationships with both government and community.
13
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
TiO2 Market FundamentalsA widening supply gap
Consumption forecast to grow faster than
supply
Supply
• New and likely projects insufficient to bridge widening supply gap
• Lead producers not expected to increase output significantly
• Long lead times to production
Demand
• Iluka announced 70-75% price increases for H2 2011
• Major new expansions announced in the chloride pigment sector
– Du Pont – 350,000tpa expansion by 2014
– Chinese 5-year plan – 300,000tpa of facilities by 2014
• Chloride pigment process requires natural rutile
Pricing
• Long-term structural deficit forecast
• Specialist mineral sands consultancy, TZMI, project significant increases in rutile price from 2010 to 2013E
• Demand inelasticity– Feedstock prices make up 5-10% of the price of end-
product
– H1 2011 price increases, together with fast-growing demand
The fundamentals of the TiO2 market point to a long-term structural deficit and significantly higher rutile prices. 14
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Established Market Presence
Iluka30%
Exxaro12%
SIERRA RUTILE
11%
Vilnogorsk9%
CRL11%
RBM11%
Bemax12%
Others4%
Natural rutile market supply, 2010
Source: Sierra Rutile
An established and diversified customer basePigment
• SRL has supplied all of the top six TiO2
pigment producers
Other end uses
• Global welding companies – Welding electrodes
– Flux-cored wire
• Approved for titanium sponge manufacturers including:– China
– Japan
Network
• Long-standing relationships with customers and partners
• Deep market expertise
SRL has long-standing relationships with its leading customer base and a deep understanding of TiO2 market dynamics.
SRL is currently supplying 11% of the market
15
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITEDWorking for a better Sierra Leone
Strategic Review
The Turnaround of Sierra Rutile
16
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Strategic ReviewPhase 1 – Near-Term Improvements
Background• Objective is to yield near-term value
through improvements to existing operations
• Implementation phase• Results from improvements expected in H2
2011 and thereafter
Initiatives• Enhancements to board & management team
(complete)• Asset optimization review (complete)
– Capital investment– Mine planning
• Marketing enhancements (in process)– Increasing exposure to spot market
• Systems and controls (in process)– Improvements to operational, finance and
reporting processes
Phase 2 – Expansion
Background• Evaluation of expansion options• Specialist consultants engaged and active• Expected conclusion Q4 2011
Potential options• Rehabilitation of D2• Dry mining• Mining of tailings• On-stream processing of zircon• Rare earths separation and recovery• Upgrade to separation plant
An integrated team of leading specialists • Snowden (global technical consultant)• CPG Resources – Mineral Technologies (leader
in mineral processing solutions)• Titan Salvage (worldwide salvage and wreck
removal)
Phase 1 of the Strategic Review is largely implemented and will optimize existing operations in the near term. Phase 2 expansion studies will be completed in Q4 2011.
17
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 1: Leadership & Management
A Strengthened BoardAdditions:
• Jan Castro, Non-Executive Chairman– Chief Executive, Pala Investments AG, an investment company
focused on the mining sector, and SRL’s cornerstone shareholder
– Significant strategic advisory, management and investment experience
– Serves on the boards of a number of mining and metals companies
• Charles Entrekin, Non-Executive– 35 years of experience in the mining sector– As former President of Titanium Metals Corporation, brings
significant industry specialism– Turnaround expertise
• Michael Brown, Non-Executive– Former Chief Operating Officer of South African mining
operation of the De Beers Group– Deep industry expertise in strategy, operations, construction– Led restructuring of De Beers during GFC– Now Senior Vice President at Pala Investments AG
• Michael Barton, Non-Executive– Senior Vice President at Pala Investments AG– Significant strategy and transaction advisory experience
Retentions:
• John Bonoh Sisay, CEO – Considerable experience in African mining sector, having worked in
10 African countries– Formerly De Beers, America Mineral Fields (now First Quantum)– Previously President of Chamber of Mines, Sierra Leone– Sierra Leone national
• Alex Kamara, Non-Executive– Head of Engineering at SRL from 1982-1995– Deep understanding of SRL’s operations– Chairman of Standard Chartered, Sierra Leone– Sierra Leone national
• Francois Colette, Non-Executive– 25 years of African mining experience– Formerly of Gécamines and AMFI-Adastra– Led copper, cobalt and zinc projects, including Kolwezi Tailings
Board on site
SRL’s board has been strengthened in order to deliver SRL’s turnaround.
19
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 1: Leadership & Management
A New Focus on Turnaround & GrowthA New, Supportive Cornerstone Shareholder
• Pala Investments (38.2%) brings deep industry expertise
• A partner focused on value generation
Incentives
• Board and senior management share option plan closely aligns interests with shareholders
• New KPI-based bonus plan for staff
An Enhanced Senior Management Team
• Andrew Taylor, COO– 20 years of mining and processing expertise– Significant experience of operating in Africa with De Beers and
Anglo American– Managed the construction and commissioning of the Voorspoed
Mine in South Africa from 2005 to 2010
• Desmond Williams, Operations Manager– 10 years experience with SNC Lavelin and Worley Parsons– 10 years with pre-war Sierra Rutile– Senior management positions on numerous international projects,
including Bald Mountain Gold (Barrick) and Kabanga Nickel
• Joseph Connolly, CFO– Previously Director, Business Development at Clipper WindPower– Brings significant expertise in financial management, strategy,
business risk and corporate governance
• Sahr Wonday, Director of Strategic Projects– 32 years at SRL– Significant experience in operational enhancement
• Mark Button, Director of Resource Development– 22 years experience of working in Africa in a variety of mining and
geological roles– Formerly of Anglo American and Gold Fields
• Jean Lindberg Charles, Director of Corporate Controls– Formerly Ernst & Young and financial controller of Le Meridien– SRL Group Financial Controller 2005-2008
• Neil Gawthorpe, Marketing Director– 15 years experience in international industrial minerals marketing – Previous technical and marketing positions at Redland PLC, Frank &
Schulte GmbH and Minelco Group
A senior management team with the right experience, knowledge and skills to execute the turnaround of SRL.
20
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 1: Existing Asset Optimization
Investment Improvement
New rougher spirals Increased recovery – up to 4%
Top tumbler, D1 Increased digging rate
Replace D1 gear box Increased digging rate
Auto samplers Improved control & recovery
Critical spares Reduced downtime
Bucket band upgrade Reduced downtime
Fire suppression system
Reduced downtime & enhanced
safety
Capital investment is being targeted to optimize productivity, availability and reduce costs
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
2008 2009 2010 2011E
US$
'00
0
Depreciation Capital Expenditure
Fresh capital is being injected into optimizing existing operations following under-investment in previous years
A business starved of maintenance capex
400% increase in capex in 2011
Improvements in performance are expected from H2 2011. Cost savings will be realized in a rising TiO2 pricing environment, providing exceptional leverage to mineral sands prices.
Turnaround investment
21
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
98%92%
84%
38%
2%8%
16%
46%
16%
100%
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Spo
t R
uti
le P
rice
(TZ
MI)
($
/t)
% o
f P
rod
uct
ion
Cap and Collar Fixed Uncontracted Rutile Price
Phase 1: Price Strategy
2012 production is currently un-contracted, providing full leverage to increasing prices
SRL has ceased trading under cap and collar arrangements to maximize exposure to rising prices
Sales contracts are being optimized to enhance leverage to increasing mineral sands prices and capitalize on SRL’s premium product.
With its premium product, SRL is aiming to become a price leader in the rutile market
• No more long term contracts
• No more cap and collar arrangements
• End of 2010 carryover in 2011
• Full leverage to spot market
22
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 1: Mine Planning
0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
7.0%
8.0%
700 900 1100 1300 1500 1700
Pro
du
ctiv
ity
incr
eas
e (t
ph
)
Face length (ft)
Mining in 2012 to 2016 from Lanti South gives access to high grade
material
Current face length
Target face length yields 6% increase in dredge productivity
An optimized three-year mine plan
Lanti South Pond Lowering• Status: In process and on target• Gives access to Lanti South, the high-grade southern
area of existing operations• A further five years of mining from the current mining
area• No major mine capex forecast at Lanti after pond
lowering is completed• Mining from Lanti South expected in 2012
Measuring systems• Status: Complete• Advanced dredge positioning system gives superior
information surrounding position (vertical and horizontal) of dredge
– Reduces ore loss– Minimizes dilution
Trenches• Status: Under development• Construction of trenches allows D1 to mine the full
width of the ore body• Maximization of productivity
– Yields longer faces – Avoids downtime and land support required with
repositioning
The new three-year mine plan for D1 will optimize production in the short- and medium-term.
Mined out area (2011 and previous)
23
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 1: Systems & ControlsKey systems & controls improvements
ERP system• System upgrade
Mine planning• Enhanced planning process• New dredge positioning system (DPS)
Procurement process• Reduction in lead time• Consolidation in suppliers• Improved customs clearance & frequency of shipping
Inventory systems• Implementation of max/min ordering system• Strengthening of warehouse security
Fuel control• Installation of new flow meters• Leakage reduction program
Lines of responsibility strengthened• Performance owned by heads of department• Capital approval controls enhanced
Fuel flow meters installation
DPS calibration
Enhancements made to SRL’s systems & controls have been designed to optimize operational efficiency and to effectively manage risk.
24
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Potential rehabilitation or salvage of D2
Areas under study
• If possible to re-float
– Assessment of time and cost to re-condition D2 to a working condition
– Development of a LOM plan for D2
– Appraisal of D2’s design
• If unable to re-float
– Assess salvageable equipment from D2
Advantages
• Cost likely much lower than construction of new dredge
• Speed of rehabilitation expected to be faster than new construction
• Positioned at Gangama, a high-grade area
• D2 capable of 1,000tph (ca. 100,000tpa)
Phase 2: D2 Rehabilitation
D2 Capsized (August 2008)
D2 at Commissioning
The rehabilitation of D2 could yield ca. 100,000tpa of production in the medium term at relatively low cost.
26
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Potential for near-term, high-grade dry mining
Areas under study• Identification of suitable deposits
• Development of mining and processing plan
• Costing and economic assessment
Advantages• Significant smaller, local deposits lend themselves
to dry mining– Provides access to high-grade pods
– Enhanced leverage to increasing prices
• Quick to implement– Mobile wet plant – 10 to 12 months’ lead time
• Potential for 25,000tpa rutile finished product
• Likely low capex
• Potential outsourcing– Potential for zero capex option
– Potentially even faster mobilization
Phase 2: Dry MiningA mobile wet plant can be constructed in a short period of time
Dry mining provides access to localised high-grade areas with short lead times and low capex, enhancing SRL’s leverage to rising prices.
27
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 2: Mining of TailingsTwinkle dredge operating at Lanti
Mogwembo tailings
Potential for mining historic tails with minimal capex
Areas under study• Assessment of viable tailings stockpiles for re-
processing
• Development of mine plans
• Assessment of equipment requirements to utilize identified material
Advantages• Significant resources at existing land plant site
– Mogbwemo tailings (18.1mt)
• Existing Twinkle dredge– Acquired in 2011 to mine slimes at Lanti at 350tph
– Currently operating
– Can be dismantled and moved at low cost
– Potential for 15-20,000tpa rutile from tails
• Proven history of processing tailings– Ilmenite tails
– FPP tails via pre-con plant
– HT Tails for zircon productionExisting land plant location
SRL’s existing equipment can be used to mine significant historic tailings in close proximity to the land plant.
28
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 2: Land Plant Upgrade
Feed Preparation Plant (FPP)
Current Capacity 90tph
Mineral Separation Plant (MSP)
Current Capacity 35tph
Minor upgrades needed to FPP For 200,000tpa finished product operation, MSP output must be increased to 70tph
Background
• Consortium of consultants are investigating the optimal route to increase capacity of the MSP
• Approximately 70% of the upgrade is complete– All major equipment (dryer, magnets, plate separators) on-site ready for installation
Potential major improvements
• Install new electrostatic plates – increase throughput
• Install new fluid bed dryer – increase throughput
• New RER magnets – optimize rutile separation
The land plant upgrade is needed for a 200,000tpa operation. 70% of the work is already complete.
29
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 2: On-Stream Zircon Processing
Zircon in SRL high tension tailingsPotential for on-stream zircon processing and premium concentrate product
Background• Zircon currently produced in a batch process
– Re-processing of high-tension tails
• As land plant production ramps up, batch processing will no longer be possible
• Construction of a zircon upgrade circuit adjacent to the mineral separation plant
Advantages• On-stream processing with new equipment is likely to yield
a higher grade of zircon product– Current batch process yields product 43% ZrO2 (60% Zr eq.)
• At current production rates, on-stream zircon processing would yield ca. 9,000tpa product at 43% ZrO2
– With growth in mining rates, this could be considerably higher
• Potential to sell a premium 66% ZrO2 product– Assessment being made by CPG
• SRL will sell its zircon at spot, less treatment charges– Providing leverage to rising zircon prices
• Rare earths benefit– On-stream processing of zircon should provide a further-refined rare
earths concentrate
On-stream zircon processing will allow SRL to enhance its exposure to the attractive zircon market.
30
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Phase 2: Rare Earths
Potential to recover high-value rare earths from SRL’s existing production of tailings
Background
• Initial samples confirmed rare earths at a grade of 2.2% in high tension tails (“HTT”)
• Evaluation of processing alternatives to further separate and recover rare earths
Advantages
• Potential high-value by-product– 34,000tpa of HTT produced in 2010
– $5,018/t of in-situ rare earths in HTTs, prices at 10 June 2011
• High concentrations of strategic mineralneodymium
• Future mining areas also contain concentrations of monazite, the source mineral for SRL’s rare earths
High concentrations of strategic mineral
neodymium
The rare earth potential from SRL could drive significant shareholder value.
Rare Earth Distributions
SRX Tailings -
Rare Earth
Distribution
(%)
Rare Earth
Comparator
Group
Distribution (%) 1
Light Rare Earths
Lanthanum 22.51% 21.34%
Cerium 48.74% 40.83%
Praesodymium 4.79% 4.57%
Neodymium 19.14% 16.14%
Samarium 2.52% 2.60%
Heavy Rare Earths
Europium 0.08% 0.37%
Gadolinium 0.56% 1.55%
Terbium 0.05% 0.29%
Dysprosium 0.14% 1.48%
Holmium 0.03% 0.27%
Erbium 0.10% 0.76%
Ytterbium 0.15% 0.67%
Lutetium 0.00% 0.12%
Other
Yttrium 0.83% 8.62%
Scandium 0.33% 0.00%
Other 0.03% 0.40%
Total 100.00% 100.00%
1 Comparator group comprises rare earth companies only, including Lynas, Molycorp, Great Western
Minerals, Arafura, Avalon, Quest, Rare Element and Ucore
31
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Financial OverviewProfit & loss account Balance sheet
33
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Working for a better Sierra Leone
Capital Structure & Major Shareholders
Major shareholdersCapital Structure
Share price* 16.5p
Market capitalization* £82.4 million
Shares outstanding 499.5 million
Options in issue 15.9 million
Cash** $21 million
Debt* $31 million
No repayments due until June
2013
Net debt* $10 million
*As at 10 June 2011** As at 31 March 2011
34
38.1%
19.9%
12.2%
5.2%
24.6%
Pala Investments
M&G
JP Morgan Asset Management (2 funds)
Investec Asset Management
Other
As at 10 June 2011Source: Bloomberg