(Kitco News) – Platinum group metals (PGM) producer Tharisa (LSE: THS) announced today that its PGM production for the financial year ended 30 September 2023 (FY23) amounted to 144.7 koz (FY22: 179.2 koz), while chrome production was 1,580.1 kt (FY22: 1,582.7 kt).
In a press release, the company said that lower PGM production was due to access restrictions to the open pit, adverse weather conditions, and the processing of “suboptimal” reef horizons which were supplemented by purchased ROM ore to maintain plant throughput.
Tharisa’s revenue for the year decreased by 5.3% to US$649.9 million (FY22: US$686.0 million), remaining “relatively resilient” to the fall in PGM prices and sales volumes while benefitting from the strength of robust chrome sales volumes and an uptick of 25.8% in the realized chrome prices.
The company’s EBITDA totalled US$136.8 million (2022: US$237.3 million), a decrease of 42.4%, primarily due to inflationary and operational cost increases exceeding revenue growth over the period along with commodity price volatility.
The company also reported FY23 profit before tax of US$114.3 million, down 48.1% compared to FY22 (US220.2 million); as well as earnings per share (EPS) of US27.4 cents, a decline of 49.1% compared to FY22 (US53.8 cents).
Importantly, Tharisa noted “weak” PGM prices and “volatile” macro economic conditions.
Looking ahead, the company said that its production guidance for FY24 is set between 145 koz and 155 koz PGMs (6E basis) and 1.7 Mt to 1.8 Mt of chrome concentrates.
Tharisa is an integrated resource group incorporating mining, processing, exploration and the beneficiation, marketing, sales and logistics of PGMs and chrome concentrates.
The company’s principal asset is the Tharisa mine located in the South-Western Limb of the Bushveld complex, South Africa, which is a home to more than 70% of the world’s platinum and chrome resources.
