frontier rare earths investor presentation june 2011
DESCRIPTION
Frontier Rare Earths (TSX: FRO) is an exploration and development company that is exclusively focused on rare earth elements – minerals in high demand in the fast growing electronics and clean-tech sectors. Frontier is developing a portfolio of mineral exploration projects in South Africa. Extensive evaluation of its flagship project, Zandkopsdrift, has confirmed it as one of the largest known rare earth deposits in the world.TRANSCRIPT
DRAFT
Developing Zandkopsdrift- a world-class rare earth deposit
June 2011 James Kenny
Chief Executive Officer
Frontier Rare Earths Limited
TSX:FRO
Safe Harbour Statement
Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this presentation constitute “forward-looking statements”.
Officers and representatives of Frontier Rare Earths Limited (the “Company”) may, in their remarks or in response to
questions regarding this presentation, make certain statements which are “forward-looking statements” and are prospective.
Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company‟s
business or its industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management‟s beliefs
and opinions at the time the statements are made or presented, and undue reliance should not be placed on any of these
forward-looking statements. There should be no expectation that these forward-looking statements will be updated or
supplemented as a result of changing circumstances or otherwise, and the Company does not intend, and does not assume
any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
June 2011
Forward-looking information
2 │
Company Overview
Flagship asset is the Zandkopsdrift rare earth deposit
World-class deposit in terms of size, grade, rare earth distribution and value
B Zone has 3rd highest RE grade of major deposits worldwide (ex. China) after
Lynas and Molycorp*
Significant resource expansion potential and regional exploration potential
Potential for rapid development
Straightforward metallurgy and rapid permitting
Objective to become first major new producer after Lynas and Molycorp
Strong financial position
$50m cash and Company fully funded through completion of DFS by end 2012
Experienced management team
* See p11
3 │
Project Location
4 │
► Project well-situated in the Northern
Cape Province of South Africa
► Excellent mining and related
infrastructure available
► More than 150 years of mining locally
► Close to N7 highway from Cape Town
(450 km)
► 30km to nearest railhead (Bitterfontein)
► 250km north of deep water port of
Saldanha Bay
► Strong support in local communities for
the development of the Zandkopsdrift
Project Area
Zandkopsdrift
carbonatite
complex
Bitterfontein rail head
(~44 km by road)
Gravel road to N7
N7 tarred road
to Cape Town
Exxaro Resources
Namakwa Sands Mine
(~45 km)
5 │
Zandkopsdrift Deposit
6 │
Project Overview
A world-class rare earth deposit
Carbonatite complex similar to Lynas‟ Mount Weld deposit
Rare earth mineralization principally contained in monazite
One of the largest known rare earth deposits globally
NI 43-101 compliant resource declared in Oct 2010 (c.60% in the indicated resource category)
High grade zones identified extending from surface
Significant high grade zones identified of which the Zandkopsdrift–B Zone ranks in top three deposits
outside China measured on TREO grade basis*
The highest grade of high value HREO‟s of significant advanced deposits outside China after
Molycorp‟s Mountain Pass and Lynas‟ Mount Weld projects*
Potential for rapid development
Good regional infrastructure will also facilitate development
Aggressive drilling and met testing work programmes underway
Targeting production in 2015 making Frontier one of the early new producers after Lynas and Molycorp
* See p11
7 │
Resource Estimate
Large, high confidence resource (950k TREO) with 56% of the contained TREO resource at the
Indicated Resource level
The deposit contains large higher grade zones, and in particular, the Zandkopsdrift-B Zone (450k
tonnes TREO), which could be exploited as a discrete unit
Zandkopsdrift remains „open‟ laterally and at depth giving scope for significant upgrading of the
estimated resource
1. Relative distribution of individual REOs in Zandkopsdrift is shown on page 19.Resource is NI 43-101 compliant and presented in accordance with CIM definitions
2. The mineral resource estimates reflect 100% of the estimated resources at Zandkopsdrift. Frontier‟s 74% owned subsidiary, Sedex, has complied with the BEE equity ownership
requirements as laid down by the Mining Charter and MPRDA, through shareholder agreements with historically disadvantaged South African individuals and entities that together hold
the remaining 26% of the issued share capital of Sedex. In addition to Frontier‟s direct interest in the Zandkopsdrift Project through its 74% shareholding in Sedex, Frontier shall also be
entitled to, in consideration for Frontier‟s funding of the BEE Shareholders‟ share of Sedex‟s expenditure on the Zandkopsdri ft Project up to bankable feasibility stage, a payment from
certain of the BEE Shareholders following the completion of the bankable feasibility study equal to 21% of the then valuation of the Zandkopsdrift Project. This gives Frontier an effective
95% interest in the Zandkopsdrift Project until such payment has been received.
Cut-off grade
(TREO)
Tonnes
(Millions) Average Grade
(TREO)
Contained TREO („000 tonnes)
Indicated Resource 1% 22.9 2.32% 532
Inferred Resource 1% 20.8 1.99% 415
8 │
Total Resource – Indicated @ 2.32% TREO
9 │
Zandkopsdrift-B Zone (450k tonnes TREO) – Indicated @ 3.67% TREO
Focus for first 12-15 years of production
10 │
Current REO
($/kg)2
Lynas Molycorp Frontier R.E.R. Arafura Frontier Frontier Avalon Quest
RE Oxide
Mt Weld Mtn Pass Zandkops-
drift B-Zone Bear Lodge Nolans Bore
Zandkops-
drift A-Zone
Zandkops-
drift Nechalacho Strange Lake
Lanthanum $148 2.03% 2.39% 0.93% 1.08% 0.55% 0.67% 0.55% 0.21% 0.13%
Cerium $149 3.63% 3.44% 1.61% 1.63% 1.33% 1.16% 0.96% 0.46% 0.27%
Praseodymium $239 0.40% 0.30% 0.17% 0.14% 0.16% 0.12% 0.10% 0.06% 0.03%
Neodymium $319 1.39% 0.82% 0.58% 0.41% 0.59% 0.41% 0.34% 0.23% 0.11%
Samarium $129 0.20% 0.06% 0.08% 0.08% 0.07% 0.06% 0.05% 0.05% 0.02%
Europium $2990 0.05% 0.01% 0.02% 0.02% 0.01% 0.02% 0.01% 0.01% 0.00%
Gadolinium $175 0.12% 0.01% 0.05% 0.04% 0.03% 0.04% 0.03% 0.05% 0.02%
Terbium $2910 0.01% 0.00% 0.01% 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.01% 0.01%
Dysprosium $1485 0.05% 0.00% 0.03% 0.01% 0.01% 0.02% 0.02% 0.04% 0.03%
Yttrium $175 0.17% 0.00% 0.15% 0.03% 0.04% 0.11% 0.09% 0.15% 0.23%
1Erbium to Lutetium $0 0.20% 0.01% 0.18% 0.03% 0.04% 0.13% 0.10% 0.19% 0.28%
Total 8.08% 7.04% 3.65% 3.45% 2.79% 2.63% 2.16% 1.30% 0.90%
“Big 5” Grade 1.89% 1.13% 0.80% 0.59% 0.78% 0.57% 0.47% 0.34% 0.18%
Zandkopsdrift-B Zone:3rd highest grade rare earth deposit outside of China
1. No value is attributed to Holmium, Erbium, Thulium, Ytterbium and Lutetium as these elements have small markets, are typically produced to special order and do not
have a regularly published price.
2. Metal Pages June 9 2011
3. Peer group only includes advanced rare earth projects/deposits with >200k TREO calculated on a code-compliant basis
11 │
Significant Resource Expansion Potential
12 │
Primary target areas based on radiometrics
Deeper Exploration Targets also identified
13 │
Operational Update and Drilling Programme 2011
14 │
►Four rigs currently on
site
►5700 meters completed
in 2011 (end April)
►9500 meters of RC and
core drilling planned
over the next 6 months
to focus on: ►Geological controls
►Stratigraphic analysis
►Infill/resource
conversion
►Step out / close out
►Satellite pipes
►Metallurgical samples
shipped to SGS Minerals
Services for testing
(April 2011)
Metallurgical Sample Recovery (Feb 2011)
Drill Sites for met sample recovery
15 │
Key Project Milestones 2011-2012
Q3 2011: Target Preliminary Economic Assessment completion
Q4 2011: Target Pre-feasibility study completion
Q4 2012: Target Bankable feasibility study completion
Metallurgy:
Phase 1 bench-scale metallurgical studies (Q3 2011),phase 2 bench studies(Q4 2011)
and initiate pilot plant metallurgical studies (Q1 2012)
Exploration:
Investigate the 30 satellite pipes around Zandkopsdrift and explore elsewhere in
current 60,000 hectare permit
Updated resource statement (Q4 2011)
Secure new 75,000 hectare prospecting right in Namaqualand (application May 2010)
Note : Frontier is fully funded for its Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pre-feasibility
and Bankable Feasibility studies through 2012
16 │
Project Development Plans 2013-2015 Conceptual development plan
Construction to commence in 2013
Rare earth production commencement in 2015
Target production of up to 20,000 tonnes separated Rare Earth Oxides per annum
Mining, flotation and potentially cracking plant on site at Zandkopsdrift
Rare earth separation plant to be sited at Saldanha Bay (250km south)
17 │
Sichen to Saldanha
iron ore rail line
Exxaro ilmenite smelter Arcelor Mittal steel works
Saldanha Port
Rare Earth Metallurgy
Metallurgy is key to development time, capex and opex for all RE projects
RE minerals in many new projects have never had commercial processes
developed for recovery of the contained rare earths
Zandkopsdrift principally contains “conventional” RE minerals for which
commercial extraction processes exist
Very low levels of thorium (average 178ppm) and uranium (average 47ppm)
Will reduce environmental, permitting and related issues
18│
Differing REO Prices and Distributions make Project Comparisons Difficult
Average
price 1
($/kg REO)
Current
price 2
($/kg REO)
Frontier Lynas Molycorp
Rare
Element Arafura Avalon Quest
RE Oxide Zandkops Mt Weld4 Mtn Pass
Bear
Lodge
Nolan's
Bore Nechalacho
Strange
Lake
LR
EO
Lanthanum $12 $148 25.42% 25.14% 34.00% 31.27% 19.78% 15.83% 14.44%
Cerium $10 $149 44.17% 44.97% 48.80% 47.19% 47.63% 35.72% 30.00%
Praseodymium $29 $239 4.55% 4.90% 4.20% 4.05% 5.83% 4.51% 3.33%
Neodymium $30 $318 15.77% 17.18% 11.70% 11.87% 21.24% 17.83% 12.22%
Samarium $8 $129 2.31% 2.44% 0.79% 2.35% 2.37% 3.91% 2.22%
HR
EO
Europium $494 $2990 0.59% 0.56% 0.13% 0.55% 0.40% 0.49% 0.00%
Gadolinium $13 $175 1.44% 1.54% 0.21% 1.22% 1.00% 3.71% 2.22%
Terbium $515 $2910 0.17% 0.17% 0.02% 0.17% 0.08% 0.54% 1.11%
Dysprosium $148 $1485 0.77% 0.58% 0.05% 0.41% 0.33% 2.71% 3.33%
Holmium $0 $0 0.13% 0.08% 0.02% 0.03% 0.00% 0.48% 1.11%
Erbium $0 $0 0.32% 0.22% 0.02% 0.06% 0.00% 1.26% 2.22%
Thulium $0 $0 0.04% 0.02% 0.02% 0.00% 0.00% 0.17% 0.00%
Ytterbium $0 $0 0.23% 0.09% 0.02% 0.03% 0.00% 1.01% 2.22%
Lutetium $0 $0 0.03% 0.02% 0.02% 0.00% 0.00% 0.14% 0.00%
Yttrium $18 $175 4.07% 2.08% 0.02% 0.81% 1.32% 11.69% 25.56%
Total 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
19 │
1. Based on average FOB China prices for 2008-2010. Source: Roskill
2. Based on current FOB China prices. Source: Metal Pages June 9 2011
3. No value is attributed to Holmium, Erbium, Thulium, Ytterbium and Lutetium as they have small markets and are typically produced to
special order and do not have regularly published prices.
4. Mount Weld distribution calculated as a weighted average of the Central and Duncan deposits
Equivalent Grade-A Better Metric for Comparing Rare Earth Projects
Simplistic LREO/HREO ratios or $/kg 'basket prices' are misleading as they ignore
absolute grade and also due to the wide range of individual rare earth prices
Equivalent grade is a better metric
Allows standardised comparisons between multi-commodity deposits containing different
distributions of minerals with different values.
Converts individual mineral grades into a single, dominant mineral grade
„Metal equivalent‟ grade commonly used in other multi-commodity deposit environments
Using three year historic average pricing data, neodymium is the largest or second largest
revenue contributor in the majority of Frontier‟s peer group
Neodymium equivalent grade provides a direct proxy for in situ revenue per tonne
and allows for a standardised relative ranking of rare earth projects
Approach endorsed by Ontario Securities Commission (October 2010)
20 │
Project Comparison on an Equivalent Grade Basis
The following assumptions have been made in calculating Nd equivalent grades:
a) Calculated on an oxide-equivalent basis. Data is for Measured and Indicated Resource, except for deposits which contain inferred resources only
b) Assumes 100% metallurgical recovery
c) Based on the REO distributions and grades as set out in slide 19
d) Based on average REO prices from 2008-2010 as set out in slide 19
e) Only projects with > 200 kt TREO calculated on code compliant basis included
f) Non-REO by products excluded
Neodymium equivalent grade provides a relative ranking of deposits and is a proxy for In situ revenue/tonne
21 │
Greenland Quest Avalon Frontier Frontier Arafura Rare Element Frontier Molycorp Lynas
Kvanefjeld Str. Lake Nechalacho Zandkops Zandkops A-Zone Nolans Bear Ldg. Zandkops B-Zone Mtn. Pass Mt Weld
Potential Capital Cost
* Includes capex for a 10ktpa mine & processing plant and 25ktpa separating plant
** Quest capex of $562m only brings product to a 99% mixed RE concentrate
Cost Drivers Frontier‟s position
Size of plant/economies of scale The anticipated plant size at the Zandkopsdrift project is of globally significant scale (20,000 tpa TREO)
Geographic location South Africa is a mining friendly, lower cost jurisdiction with a benign (arid) year-round climate
Available Infrastructure Zandkopsdrift is located in South Africa‟s oldest mining province, close to transport and other relevant infrastructure
Mining method As the Zandkopsdrift deposit outcrops, it could be mined on an open pit basis with a low/zero strip ratio
Ore type and process complexity The principal Rare Earth host mineral at Zandkopsdrift is monazite for which commercial extraction processes exist
Rare Earth Grade & geological setting The deposit contains higher Rare Earth grade zones which should reduce throughput & capex to achieve target production
Announced Rare Earth Project Capex costs (US$m)
Potential Zandkopsdrift capex range
22 │
Company Lynas Molycorp Frontier Rare
Element Arafura Avalon Quest Greenland
Deposit Mt Weld Mtn Pass Zandkops
B Zone
Zandkops
A Zone Zandkops Bear Lodge
Nolan's
Bore Nechalacho Strange Lake Kvanefjeld
Location Australia California South Africa Wyoming Australia NW
Territories Quebec Greenland
Neodymium
equivalent
grade3
5.23% 3.43% 2.38% 1.71% 1.41% 2.06%1
1.74% 1.13% 0.76%
0.7%
Size of Resource
(TREO Mt) 1.414 2.072 0.946 0.548 0.848 4.298 1.149 4.899
Market
Capitalisation2 $ 3,749 m $ 4,441 m $197m
$ 412 m $ 390 m $ 565 m $ 347 m $ 151m
Project stage Construction Construction PFS 2011 PFS 2011 BFS in
progress PFS PFS 2011 PEA
Deposit type Pipe Pipe Pipe Dykes Veins Tabular Veins Massive
Mining method Open Pit Open Pit Open Pit Open Pit Open Pit Under-
ground Open Pit Open Pit
Climate Arid Arid Arid Cold Arid Arctic Cold Arctic
Infrastructure Poor Good Good Good Poor Poor Poor None
Comparative Valuation-Overview
Revenue
driver
Principal
time and
cost
drivers
b) Assumes 100% metallurgical recovery
c) Based on the REO distributions and grades in slide 19
d) Based on average REO prices for 2008-2010 in slide 19
e) Non-REO by-products excluded
1. Measured and Indicated Resources shown where available; Inferred shown for projects with no M&I
2. Market Capitalisations as at June 9 2011
3. These assumptions have been made in calculating Neodymium equivalent grades:
a) Calculated on an oxide-equivalent basis
23 │
Capital Structure
TSX:FRO (Listed November 17 2010)
Shares Outstanding: 89,562,781
Fully Diluted Shares: 90,072,765 (June 1 2011)
Market Cap $197m
Share Price $2.20 (52 week high/low $3.75 -$1.97)
Working Capital $50m (no debt)
Research Coverage:
CIBC initiated coverage March 6 2011 - 12/18 month target price $7.30
Byron Capital initiated coverage March 17 2011 – 12/18 month price target $4.80
Jacob Securities initiated coverage June 8 2011 – 12 month price target $9.83
24 │
Summary
World-class, high grade rare earth deposit
Aggressive work programme underway with multiple defined milestones
Potential for lower cost, rapid development and early production (2015)
Experienced management and technical team
Location in South Africa attractive to industry partners, strategic investors
and potential customers
Strong financial position and work programme fully funded
Trading at significant discount to peers
25 │
DRAFT
Appendices
Senior Management Team
Management team with extensive experience of exploration and development of mineral
projects in Southern Africa, financing and corporate development
Paul McGuinness B Comm, ACA
Chief Financial Officer
15 years experience in investment banking and
financial control with Arthur Anderson, Salomon
Brothers, Schroders, Collins Stewart and MG
Capital.
Derick de Wit B Tech, Chem. Eng.
Vice President, Project Development
15 years experience in minerals industry. Has
managed or prepared more than 30 independent
review, scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility
studies in Africa and Canada.
James Kenny B Comm, MBS
Chief Executive Officer
20+ years experience in natural resources sector
as an executive, adviser and broker. Centrally
involved in Frontier's corporate strategy and
development activities since incorporation.
Dr. Stuart Smith B Sc, PhD
Vice President, Exploration
30+ years experience in mineral exploration with
particular experience in rare earths, uranium,
base metals and diamonds.
27 │
Non-executive Directors
Philip Kenny B Eng. MBA (Chairman)
(UK)
25 years experience in natural resource sector.
Executive Chairman, and former CEO of
Firestone Diamonds plc, an AIM-listed diamond
mining company focused on Southern Africa and
with operating kimberlite mines in Botswana and
Lesotho.
Eamonn Grennan B.Sc, M.Sc
(Ireland)
Independent consulting geologist with over 40
years experience as an exploration manager,
geologist, consultant and senior lecturer. Former
President of the Irish Association for Economic
Geology and member of the Consultative
Committee of the Irish Geological Survey.
Anu Dhir B.A., J.D.
(Canada)
Former VP Corporate Development and
Company Secretary of Katanga Mining Limited.
Managing Director of Miniqs Limited, Non-
executive Director of Anooraq Resources
Corporation and Non-executive Director of
Compass Asset Management.
Crispin Sonn B.A., B.Comm
(South Africa)
Executive Director of Old Mutual South Africa, the
largest integrated financial services company in
South Africa. Chairman of the Old Mutual
Foundation, founding Chairman of Foodbank
South Africa and Non-executive Director of
Capespan (Pty) Ltd.
28 │
Rare Earths – Overview
Series of 15 chemically similar elements that occur and are recovered together
Distribution of elements varies from deposit to deposit
Two distinct categories based on atomic weight: Light Rare Earths and Heavy Rare Earths
Each element has a range of distinctive physical properties which allow them to be
used in a variety of technological applications
Magnetic, optical, electrical, catalytic and metallurgical
Underpin the “green economy”
Hybrid motor and battery technology
Energy efficiency
Wind power
Consumer electronics
Defence
Most have no substitutes and are indispensable in many applications
29 │
37%
31%
14%
5% 4% 4%
3% 2%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Magnets Phosphors Metal Alloys Catalysts Ceramics Polishing Other Glass
Value of RE usage by application
Rare Earths – Uses
Biggest use is for magnets, phosphors and metal alloys and accounts for 82% of
demand by value (2008)
Source: Roskill
30 │
Global Supply (tonnes REO)
Rare Earths – Historical Supply
China has dominated world rare earths supply since mid 1990‟s; currently controls
97% of supply
No increase since 2005 despite steadily increasing demand
China‟s supply dominance likely to continue
Source: Roskill
31 │
Global Supply and Demand (tonnes REO)
0
25,000
50,000
75,000
100,000
125,000
150,000
175,000
200,000
225,000
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010f 2011f 2012f 2013f 2014f 2015f
China supply ROW supply China demand ROW demand Total demand
Rare Earths – Supply/Demand Forecasts
Demand projected to grow at 10-15% CAGR from 2010 to 2015
China‟s domestic demand continues to increase faster than its supply
Supply deficit widely forecast
55kt of REO required from non-China sources by 2015, up from 5kt in 2010
Significant opportunity for new producers
Source: Roskill
32 │
Recent Rare Earth Market Developments
Chinese pricing and export policy changes dominate the rare earth market
Significant increase in REO prices in last 12 months and continued price growth
forecast
Restructuring of Chinese export quota system likely to have significant price
implications for certain rare earth prices
China has confirmed only 15-20 years reserves of Heavy and Medium REOs and
clear indications that it will be a net importer by 2015
Plans by countries including China, Japan, South Korea announced and more
recently US and EU, to stockpile rare earths widely reported
Major industrial users seeking to lock in long-term supply/partnership from credible
potential producers
33 │
Core Drilling at Zandkopsdrift
34 │
Gradation from Weathered to Fresh Carbonatite Visible in Core
35 │
Weathered Carbonatite
Fresh Carbonatite
High Grade Weathered
Carbonatite
Zandkopsdrift Main Pipe
„Satellite‟ Resource Expansion Potential
30 satellite intrusives
already identified
around Zandkopsdrift,
a number of which are
proven to be RE-
bearing
36│