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1 ASX/ Media Announcement 22 January 2015 Vital Metals Limited ASX Code: VML ACN: Churchill Avenue, Subiaco, WA 6008 WATERSHED TUNGSTEN PROJECT: FINANCIALS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED BY FALLING CURRENCY AND COSTS Lower dollar and falling input costs drive improved financial returns Tel: Fax: vital@vitalmetals.com.au Capital Structure 304 million shares 80 million unlisted options Board & Management David Macoboy Chairman Mark Strizek CEO and Managing Director Peter Cordin Non-Executive Director Andrew Simpson Non-Executive Director Ian Hobson Company Secretary For further information: Investors: Mark Strizek Managing Director Vital Metals (08) Media: Nicholas Read Read Corporate (08) Key Points Significant depreciation in the Australian Dollar against the US Dollar combined with lower Australian costs adds to the competiveness of the Watershed Tungsten Project. The already attractive financial parameters of the Watershed Tungsten Project have significantly improved over the Definitive Feasibility Study assumptions made in July Vital Metals Limited (ASX: VML) is pleased to report significant improvements to the key financial metrics for its flagship Watershed Tungsten Project in North Queensland as a result of changes to key currency and operating cost inputs. A recent review of the cost inputs used in the 2014 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) 1 and financial model has been completed. Recent changes to exchange rates, diesel costs and labour availability have largely moved outside of the range considered for the DFS. Vendors were approached for the review and in most cases provided updates to previous estimates. In the case of diesel, which is a significant component of the mining cost, the quoted price is at a significant discount to the pricing assumed for the DFS. Vital believes it is reasonable to assume that many of these changes are here for the medium term or greater. In the case of oil and diesel, it appears that significant supply from resurgent US oil production and improved energy efficiency leading to a levelling of demand will lead to a fairly sustained period of lower diesel prices. The changes have combined to further enhance the operating cost of the Watershed Tungsten Project, which will be selling tungsten concentrate priced in US Dollars. Watershed stands ready for development with all significant environmental approvals and mining leases in place, and the 2014 DFS having outlined a substantial mine life of 10 years production of tungsten concentrate. 1 ASX Announcement 17 September

2 The recently completed DFS review has included: Revising the exchange rate to US$0.80 and US$0.75 as opposed to US$0.90; Applying a 15% reduction to operating costs over previous assumptions; Maintaining estimated capital expenditure at the same level as the previously reported figures (scheduled for review). At an exchange rate of US$0.80 and US$0.75, the estimated capital would be US$138M and US$129M respectively. Project returns for a range of prices and an exchange rate of US$0.80 and a 100% equity case are shown in Table 1 below. The combination of a lower exchange rate and lower operating costs mean that the project will now generate similar returns at a price of US$375/mtu compared to the previously reported case 2, which used a price of US$450/mtu and an exchange rate of US$0.90. Life-of-mine cash costs are extremely competitive at US$156/mtu. Table 1: Project Returns 100% Equity Case. Project Returns US$325/mtu US$350/mtu US$375/mtu US$400/mtu US$450/mtu 8% $63M $31M $111M $65M $160M $100M $207M $132M $300M $200M IRR 16.0% 12.3% 21.5% 16.6% 26.8% 20.6% 31.7% 24.5% 40.8% 31.6% Payback Years Free Cashflow $184M $130M $259M $182M $335M $235M $410M $288M $561M $394M Cash Costs US$/ mtu 156 Total Costs US$/ mtu 212 An additional scenario that uses an exchange rate of US$0.75 is shown in Table 2 below. A product price of just over US$350/mtu would generate similar returns to the previously reported case 2. Life-of-mine cash costs fall further to US$146/mtu. Table 2: Project Returns 100% Equity Case. Project Returns US$325/mtu US$350/mtu US$375/mtu US$400/mtu US$450/mtu 8% $99M $57M $151M $93M $202M $129M $254 $165M $357M $237M IRR 20.2% 15.5% 25.8% 19.9% 31.1% 24.0% 36.1% 27.9% 45.5% 35.3% Payback Years Free Cashflow $241M $169M $321M $225M $401M $281M $482M $338M $643M $451M Cash Costs US$/ mtu 146 Total Costs US$/ mtu 199 Operating cost savings are best demonstrated by the recent reduction in diesel prices. Despite a falling exchange rate, diesel prices have now fallen to levels last seen in 2009: 2 ASX Announcement 17 September

3 Vital s Managing Director Mark Strizek said the outlook for tungsten prices remained positive, with the lower oil price expected to boost economic growth. Tungsten demand is closely related to GDP growth, so we would expect to see demand continue to expand, he said. Meanwhile, on the supply side there is very little new production coming on stream only the Hemerdon Project towards the end of the year. The Chinese government appears keen to control domestic output so it doesn t seem likely that Chinese production will grow in We are continuing to advance Watershed rapidly towards development. Our partner JOGMEC is continuing to hold discussions with a number of Japanese companies regarding the transfer of their 30 per cent project interest. This new partner will be responsible for providing 30 per cent of the finance, plus a minimum 30 per cent of the off-take. This company has the potential to assist Vital with securing project debt finance for Watershed. The combined effect of changes to exchange rate and operating cost base means that Watershed is now an even more compelling proposition, Mr Strizek added. The Project is well placed for immediate development and the DFS has shown that it will generate very attractive returns for its shareholders and Joint Venture partners alike. ENDS For further details, refer to the Company s website, Contact: Mark Strizek MD Vital Metals Ltd Phone: vital@vitalmetals.com.au Media Inquiries: Nicholas Read Read Corporate Telephone: info@readcorporate.com.au Forward looking statements Certain written statements contained or incorporated by reference in this announcement, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its projects, constitute forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are 3

4 forward-looking statements. The words believe, expect, anticipate, contemplate, target, plan, intend, continue, budget, estimate, may, will, schedule and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of tungsten, gold or other metal production and prices, operating costs and results, capital expenditures, mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions related to future business, economic, market, political, social and other conditions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Many known and unknown factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: competition; mineral prices; ability to meet additional funding requirements; exploration, development and operating risks; uninsurable risks; uncertainties inherent in ore reserve and resource estimates; dependence on third party smelting facilities; factors associated with foreign operations and related regulatory risks; environmental regulation and liability; currency risks; effects of inflation on results of operations; factors relating to title to properties; native title and aboriginal heritage issues; dependence on key personnel; and share price volatility and also include unanticipated and unusual events, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. For further information, please see the Company's most recent annual financial statement, a copy of which can be obtained from the Company on request or at the Company's website: The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. All forward-looking statements made in this presentation are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, not to put undue reliance on such statements. Cautionary Statement The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) referred to in this announcement is based on a Proved and Probable Ore Reserve derived from a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource, plus a small proportion of mining inventory, which comprises material that is currently classified as Inferred Mineral Resource. There is a low level of geological confidence associated with Inferred Mineral Resources and there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of Indicated Mineral Resources or that the production target itself will be realised. The Company advises that the Proved and Probable Ore Reserve provides 93% of the total tonnage and 93% of the total WO3 metal underpinning the forecast production target and financial projections, and that the additional life of mine plan material comprises less than 7% of the total tonnage and WO3 metal. Furthermore, in the first five years of production, 95% of the material planned to be processed is based on Proved and Probable Ore Reserves. As such, the dependence of the outcomes of the DFS and the guidance provided in this announcement on the lower confidence Inferred Mineral Resource material contained in the life of mine plan is minimal. The Company has concluded that it has a reasonable basis for providing the forward looking statements included in this announcement. 4

5 Competent Person s Statement The information that refers to Mineral Resources in this announcement was prepared and first disclosed under the JORC Code It has not been updated since to comply with the JORC Code 2012 on the basis that the information has not materially changed since last reported. The information in this report that relates to Exploration Targets, Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Mr Mark Strizek, a Competent Person who is a Member or The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Strizek is a full time employee of the Company. Mr Strizek has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Strizek consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources for the Watershed Deposit is based on information evaluated by Mr Simon Tear who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM) and who has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Tear is a Director of H&S Consultants Pty Ltd and he consents to the inclusion of the estimates in the report of the Mineral Resource in the form and context in which they appear. This Ore Reserves statement has been compiled in accordance with the guidelines defined in the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code 2012 Edition). The Ore Reserves have been compiled by Mr Steve Craig of Orelogy Group Pty Ltd, who is a Fellow of Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Craig has had sufficient experience in Ore Reserve estimation relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration to qualify as Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Craig consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. 5

6 ABOUT VITAL METALS Vital Metals Ltd (ASX: VML) is a developer and explorer, focused on progressing two highly prospective mineral projects: the advanced Watershed Tungsten Project in far north Queensland, Australia and the Doulnia Gold Project in southern Burkina Faso, West Africa. Watershed Tungsten Project Queensland The Watershed scheelite (calcium tungstate) Project, in far North Queensland, 150 kilometres northwest of Cairns, is the Company s flagship venture. Vital has entered into a formal Earn-In Agreement with JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation) where JOGMEC has earnt 30% of the Project for $5.4M (valuing the Project at the time of the farm-in at $18M). The funds have been used to finance a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). Doulnia Gold Project Burkina Faso The Doulnia Gold Project (100% Vital) is located in southern Burkina Faso, West Africa. The Project is made up of three contiguous tenements; The Doulnia and Kampala exploration tenements which were recently secured following a deal with Ampella Mining Ltd and the Zeko exploration tenement. The Project is located in highly prospective Birimian Greenstone terrain with over 400 sq. km of contiguous tenements lying on the trend of the Markoye Fault Corridor and the Bole shear zone and hosting the Kollo Gold Project and Boungou South Gold Prospect. About JOGMEC Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) were established in JOGMEC is Government owned and integrates the functions of the former Japan National Oil Corporation, which was in charge of securing a stable supply of oil and natural gas and the former Metal Mining Agency of Japan, which was in charge of ensuring a stable supply of nonferrous metal and mineral resources and implementing mine pollution control measures. It has an annual budget of around 1,564 billion yen ($18B) and provides financial assistance, technology development and technical support to Japanese companies and their foreign subsidiaries. Figure 1: Vital Metals Project Locations 6

7 Figure 2: Vital Metals Watershed Project Locations 7