Tharisa increases chrome output, PGMs hampered by lower grades
Tharisa, the mining, metals, and innovation company, has announced its production results for Q2 FY20261 and cash balance as at 31 March 2026.
Highlights
- Successful first blast at the Tharisa Mine Apollo portal marking the official transition to underground mining in parallel with the existing open cast mining operations
- Quarterly PGM production at 34.3 koz (Q1 FY2026: 38.8 koz) with PGM recoveries stable at 77.5% (Q1 FY2026: 78.8%)
- PGM prices averaging at US$3 038/oz (Q1 FY2026: US$2 208)
- Quarterly chrome production of 404.0 kt (Q1 FY2026: 349.4 kt) with chrome recoveries stable at 69.7% (Q1 FY2026: 70.3%)
- Average metallurgical grade chrome concentrate price at US$290/t (Q1 FY2026: US$276/t)
- Group cash on hand of US$184.3 million (31 December 2025: US$122.2 million), and debt of US$129.6 million (31 December 2025: US$75.2 million), resulting in a net cash position of US$54.7 million (31 December 2025: US$47.0 million).
Phoevos Pouroulis, CEO of Tharisa, commented: “This quarter’s results reflect the resilience and operational discipline that define Tharisa, underpinned by our continued strong safety performance, in traditionally the toughest operational quarter, impacted by increased lightning events and high rainfall. We nevertheless increased quarterly output in the chrome segment, while PGM output was hampered by lower grades in the reef being mined.
While reef mined was lower in the quarter due to in-pit constraints, processing throughput remained strong with improved chrome feed grades supporting higher chrome concentrate production. PGM production was impacted by lower grades in the reef being mined, although recoveries remained robust. On the processing side, PGM recoveries of 77.5% and chrome recoveries of 69.7% demonstrate the consistency of our operations.
The pricing environment strengthened materially during the quarter, with the average PGM contained metal basket price increasing to US$3 038/oz from US$2 208/oz in Q1 FY2026, while the average metallurgical grade chrome concentrate contract price improved to US$290/t from US$276/t in Q1 FY2026. Current chrome prices at approximately US$315/t are supported by higher logistics and freight costs due to the increase in global oil prices. In light of the current geo-political challenges, we have put in place mitigation measures to ensure, as far as possible, security of fuel supply to the Tharisa Mine, while costs will increase, our focus remains on efficiency.
The official commencement of the underground development at the Tharisa Mine took place on 31 March 2026 with the first blast at the Apollo portal. This development showcases the long-term life of the Tharisa Mine, with over 60 years of underground mining potential, while we will be investing over US$500m over the next decade to sustain the optimal output of over 200 kozpa of PGMs and 2.0 Mt of chrome concentrate. The underground development is a natural progression for the Tharisa Mine and forms a core pillar of Tharisa’s long-term strategic vision and capital allocation.
We continue to make good progress in further derisking our Karo Platinum project in Zimbabwe, with open pit surface clearing commencing as planned, following the successful mobilisation of our mining contractor at the end of the last quarter. Infrastructure development and investment in key work packages continues securing the necessary power, water and long lead requirements. Good progress has been made in terms of the Karo funding, which, will provide the full requirements for project completion and targeting first ore in mill in H2 2027. The funding is subject to final agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe on the fiscal stability agreements which are nearing conclusion.
These results reinforce our confidence in the Group’s strategy, our balance sheet discipline and our ability to continue delivering long-term value. I thank our teams for their continued dedication to safe, efficient and responsible production and project development.”
