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Commencement of Construction Ceremony Karo Platinum

Published: 2022-12-07 15:00:27 ET
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Tharisa plc
(Incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus with limited liability)
(Registration number HE223412)
JSE share code: THA
LSE share code: THS
A2X share code: THA
ISIN: CY0103562118
LEI: 213800WW4YWMVVZIJM90
('Tharisa' or the 'Company')


COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION CEREMONY KARO PLATINUM

MOU signed for a 30 MWp solar PV project with Total Eren

Tharisa, the platinum group metals (‘PGMs’) and chrome co-producer dual-listed on the Johannesburg
and London stock exchanges, is pleased to announce that in a ceremony at the Karo Platinum site, held
today attended by Honourable Winston Chitando, the start of construction was officially recognised.

Tharisa is a 70% shareholder in Karo Mining Holdings (‘Karo') which in turn indirectly owns 85% of the
Karo Platinum Project ('Karo Project'), with the Government of Zimbabwe holding the remaining 15%, on
a free carry basis.

The Ceremony was attended by Honourable Minister Chitando, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Mines &
Development, but also local Chiefs, dignitaries and Karo construction and development partners.
Significantly, representatives from Total Eren, a leading France-based renewable energy Independent
Power Producer and Chariot Limited (‘Chariot’), the Africa focused transitional energy group, were in
attendance, with Total Eren having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner on and
develop, finance, build and operate a 30 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) project that will provide competitive
solar electricity for the Karo Platinum Project, in Zimbabwe. Total Eren and Chariot are also partners in
developing a 40 MWp PV plant at Tharisa’s existing tier 1 PGM and chrome mine in South Africa, designed
to ensure Tharisa exceeds its desired carbon emission reduction target of 30% by 2030 and carbon net
neutrality by 2050, and providing synergies in building both power projects.

Minister Chitando reiterated that Zimbabwe is open for business and welcomed Karo as a partner of the
government in this new mine development, which will see Karo create some 1,000 permanent jobs and
up to 7,000 jobs during the construction phase. Some 100 jobs have already been created prior to the
construction commencement with a similar number of contractors on site. Karo is set to be a significant
contributor to both GDP and delivering a sustainable, long-life integrated mining operation through
Tharisa’s proven world class development approach for projects such as Karo.

The Mining Lease area for the Karo Project covers an area of 23 903 ha (239 km²) and is located within
the Great Dyke in the Mashonaland West District of Zimbabwe, approximately 80 km southwest of Harare
and 35 km southeast of Chegutu. The Great Dyke is a PGM bearing geological feature that runs from a
north to south direction. At approximately 550 km in length and up to 11 km wide, it is second globally to
the Bushveld Complex of South Africa in terms of its PGM resource base.

The project, which is situated within a designated Special Economic Zone ('SEZ'), is located in the southern
portion of the middle chamber of the Great Dyke and is supported by good infrastructure, including road
and power access in the project area.

Karo is also in the process of raising funds via a proposed bond listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange
which will be used in part fund the development of the Karo Platinum Project, which has a total capital
cost for phase one of US$391 million.

Commenting on the day’s proceedings, Bernard Pryor, MD of Karo said: “Days of celebration like today
are immensely important in the development of large scale, impact projects like Karo Platinum. It shows
the commitment from both the Government of Zimbabwe, our local stakeholders and the entire Karo
team in ensuring we deliver this project on time and on budget. It has been a mere four years, interrupted
by over a year due to COVID-19, since we first set foot on the ground, and I want to thank the entire Karo
team and the Honourable Minister Chitando in particular for their commitment to this project. It is now
up to the Karo team to deliver on the timeline provided, and I look forward to welcoming all again here
when we deliver our first ore into the mill in Q3 2024.”

Tharisa CEO, Phoevos Pouroulis added: “I can only add my gratitude to the Government of Zimbabwe,
represented by Honourable Minister Chitando, I also wish to extend our gratitude to the local Chiefs and
communities that have really welcomed us with open arms as we embark on the next phase of the Tharisa
growth story. We have a track record of not only building mines but have over a decade run the Tharisa
Mine in a sustainable and profitable manner that has benefitted all stakeholders through job creation,
upliftment and upskilling and returns to governments in the forms of royalty, taxes and the benefits of
sustainable development and infrastructure. Stable fiscal environments ensure private capital is willing to
invest and ensure impactful investment for all concerned and I look forward to being part of this next step
on the Tharisa journey.”


Paphos, Cyprus

7 December 2022


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Investor Relations Contacts:
Ilja Graulich (Head of Investor Relations and Communications)
+27 11 996 3500
+27 83 604 0820
igraulich@tharisa.com

Financial PR Contacts:
Bobby Morse / Oonagh Reidy
+44 207 466 5000
tharisa@buchanan.uk.com

Broker Contacts:
Peel Hunt LLP (UK Joint Broker)
Ross Allister / Georgia Langoulant
+44 207 7418 8900

BMO Capital Markets Limited (UK Joint Broker)
Thomas Rider / Nick Macann
+44 207 236 1010

Berenberg (UK Joint Broker)
Matthew Armitt / Jennifer Lee / Detlir Elezi
+44 203 207 7800

Nedbank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division) (RSA Broker)
Carlyle Whittaker
+27 11 294 0061

About Tharisa
Tharisa is an integrated resource group critical to the energy transition and decarbonisation of economies.
It incorporates mining, processing, exploration, and the beneficiation, marketing, sales, and logistics of
PGMs and chrome concentrates, using innovation and technology as enablers. Its principal operating asset
is the Tharisa Mine located in the south-western limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. The
mechanised mine has a 20-year open-pit life and the ability to extend operations underground by at least
an additional 40 years. Tharisa also owns Karo Mining Holdings a development stage, low-cost, open-pit
PGM asset, located on the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. The Company is committed to reducing its carbon
emissions by 30% by 2030 and the development of a roadmap is continuing to be net carbon neutral by
2050. Tharisa plc is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: THA) and the Main Board of the
London Stock Exchange (LSE: THS).