DRAFT
Zandkopsdrift – The World’s Next Major Rare Earth Producer
June 2015
Frontier Rare Earths Limited TSX:FRO US:FREFF
Safe Harbour Statement Forward Looking Statements :Certain information set forth in this presentation may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. Readers can identify many of these statements by looking for words such as "will", "intends", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "achieving", or similar words or
the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Frontier, including, but not
limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, commodity prices, availability of financing , Frontier's ability to raise additional capital, results of
feasibility studies, dependence upon regulatory approvals, the estimation of mineral resources and the realization of mineral reserves based on mineral resource estimates and
estimated future development, if any, and possible expectations regarding competition from other producers globally, possible customer and supplier relationships, anticipated
trends and challenges in Frontier regarding competition; mineral resource estimates and supply outlook and growth opportunities, the future price of and future demand for rare
earth elements, title disputes or claims including Black Economic Empowerment initiatives, and the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory and permitting matters.
Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparations of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise
and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which these forward-
looking statements are based will occur. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this presentation and are expressly qualified in their entirety
by this cautionary statement. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the
inherent uncertainty therein. Frontier disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Data used in the Presentation : Frontier's data in this presentation is primarily based on the PFS (as defined below).Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability. Data used in peer comparisons comes from various reports and sources with different levels of confidence attaching to them which may mean
that data is not directly comparable and actual production is likely to be different from that shown. The data sources for peer information used in the presentation are as follows:
Molycorp - Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013 (9 May 2013); Lynas H2
2012 Consolidated Financial Report (22 Feb 2013); Avalon Announces Results of Positive Feasibility Study for the Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project (17 Apr 2013); Quest
- Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Strange Lake B Zone, Quebec (24 Sept 2010); Arafura Delivers Nolans Project Update - incl. feasibility study update (7 Aug 2012);
Tasman - Preliminary Economic Assessment NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Norra Karr (REE-Y-Zr) Deposit Granna, Sweden (11 May 2012); Matamec - Preliminary
Economic Assessment Study for Kipawa Project (14 Mar 2012). All output calculations use prices from Metal-Pages (www.metal-pages.com) and REE distributions from
Technology Metals Research (www.technologymetalsresearch.com) unless otherwise specified.
Technical Information – Details with respect to the scientific and technical information contained in this presentation as it relates to Frontier can be found in the report entitled
“National Instrument 43-101 Independent Technical Report on the Results of a Preliminary Feasibility Study on the Zandkopsdrift Rare Earth Element and Manganese By-product
Project in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa for Frontier Rare Earths Limited” (the “PFS”) and is available on SEDAR under the Company's profile and on Frontier’s
website . This report has an effective date of June 2, 2015 and was prepared by Venmyn Deloitte (Pty) under the supervision of the following persons: F. Harper B Sc (Hons), Pr
Sci Nat., MGSSA (Qualified Person) and G Njowa B Sc (Hons), Pr Sci Nat., MGSSA B Sc Hons (Min Eng) Grad CIS, M Sc MRM (Min Eng), Pr Eng, M.Sc MRM (Min Eng),
(Qualified Valuator. Dr Stuart Smith, Frontier's VP Exploration is a "Qualified Person“, as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical
information in this presentation.
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3
TOPICS
Rare Earths Overview and Supply Outlook
Frontier Rare Earths
The Zandkopsdrift Rare Earths Deposit
Prefeasibility Study Overview
Prefeasibility Study Conclusions and Highlights
Western RE Competitor Benchmarking
Kores Joint Venture
Graphite
Frontier Market Profile and Corporate Summary
Appendices
RARE EARTHS - OVERVIEW
16 Rare earth elements (REEs), 15 within the chemical group called Lanthanides Two distinct categories based on atomic weight:
Light Rare Earths (LREEs) Heavy Rare Earths (HREEs)
Distribution of elements vary from deposit to deposit Distribution of elements vary from deposit. Most have no substitutes and are indispensable in many applications China currently accounts for circa 90% of production of rare earth minerals, although it has only about 30% of the deposits of rare earths in the Earth's crust
4
Periodic Table of the Elements
Rare Earths underpin the “green” tech economy:
Hybrid motors and Battery Technology
Consumer Electronics
Transportation
Aerospace and Defense
Energy Efficiency
Wind and Solar Power
RARE EARTHS – USAGE BY APPLICATION
5
Rare earth consumption divided into traditional and new material applications
Traditional – metallurgy, machinery, petroleum, chemicals, glass, ceramics, agriculture, light industry and textiles
New material - permanent magnet materials, luminescent materials, polishing materials and hydrogen storage materials.
Usage in new material applications has driven the growth in consumption of rare earths
Magnetic Materials, 61.3%
Luminescent Materials 6.3%
Polishing Materials4.5%
Hydrogen Storage Materials 4.1%
Other New Materials 3.7%
Metallurgy Machinery 7.2%
Petroleum / Chemical Industry
4.8%
Glass / Ceramics 4.7%
Agriculture / Light Industry / Textile,
3.5%
Demand for rare earths from new material applications in 2015 is estimated to
account for ~80% of the total demand, of which magnetic materials will comprise the largest component, estimated over
61%
RARE EARTH – KEY APPLICATIONS
6
CREOs
HREOs
LREOs
Petroleum Refining
Catalytic Converter
Fuel Additives
Chemical Processing
Air Pollution Controls
Catalysts
Nd La, Ce, Pr
Capacitors
Sensors
Colorants
Scintillators
Refractories
Ceramics
Nd, Y, Eu Gd, Lu, Dy La, Ce, Pr
Satellite Communications
Guidance Systems
Aircraft Structures
Fly-by-Wire
Smart Missiles
Defence
Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy, Y Lu, Sm Pr, La
Polishing Compounds
Pigments & Coatings
UV Resistant Glass
Photo-Optical Glass
X-Ray Imaging
Glass & Polishings
Nd, Gd, Er, Ho La, Ce, Pr
Display phosphors – CRT, LPD, LCD
Fluorescent Lighting
Medical Imaging
Lasers
Fibre Optics
Phosphors
Nd, Eu, Tb, Y
Er, Gd Ce, Pr
NimH Batteries
Fuel Cells
Steel
Super Alloys
Aluminium / Magnesium
Metal Alloys
Nd, Eu, Tb, Y
Er, Gd Ce, Pr
Computer Hard Drives
Disk Drive Motors
Anti-Lock Brakes
Automotive Parts
Frictionless Bearings
Magnetic Refrigeration
Microwave Power Tubes
Power Generation
Microphones & Speakers
Communication Systems
MRI
Magnetics
Nd Tb, Dy Pr
The rare earths for which there is likely to be the greatest demand growth and potential shortage, and which are of the greatest importance for a technologically advanced, clean energy economy, are the so called “Critical Rare Earth Oxides” (“CREOs”) - Neodymium, Europium, Terbium, Dysprosium and Yttrium
The importance of rare earths, and CREOs in particular, has been highlighted by both the US Government and the European Commission and security of supply of these scarce commodities is now a strategic imperative for many countries and corporations
Demand for CREOs is forecast to double over next 7 years and supply shortages are therefore very likely
This growing demand and rising political tensions in many areas of the world are forcing Governments to take decisive action to ensure security of critical raw material supplies over the long term.
UNDERSTANDING THE ‘CRITICAL RARE EARTH OXIDES’
7
Source: US Department of Energy, Critical Materials Strategy Report (2011)
The CREOs typically have much higher prices than the other REOs
UNDERSTANDING THE CRITICAL RARE EARTH OXIDES
8
Rare Earth Oxide REO price *
($/kg)
LREO
Lanthanum $4
Cerium $3
Praseodymium $91
Neodymium $58
HR
EO
Samarium $5
Europium $373
Gadolinium $47
Terbium $763
Dysprosium $363
Holmium n/a
Erbium n/a
Thulium n/a
Ytterbium n/a
Lutetium n/a
Yttrium $11
* Metal-Pages 1 May 2015
ANOTHER RARE EARTH SUPPLY CRISIS IS COMING
Rare earth demand will continue to grow
Magnet based applications forecast to grow at highest rate (c. 10%+ per annum), which implies a doubling in demand for magnet REOs over the next 7 years
China domestic production may be insufficient to satisfy domestic demand by 2020 unless there is a major increase in production
Molycorp (US) and Lynas (Australia) may not survive in their current form. Molycorp is expected to declare bankruptcy in Q3 2015 with debt of more than $1.6bn.
9
Forecast Rare Earth Supply and Demand to 2020 tpa
Widening rare earth supply gap to be met by new non-
Chinese supply?
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
China Production Quotas Global DemandSource: Adamas Inteligence and China flat at 2014 production level
Frontier is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Luxembourg
Experienced Board, management and technical teams
Frontier’s main asset is the Zandkopsdrift Rare Earth project in South Africa
Very high quality deposit in terms of size, rare earth grade, distribution and value
Through Zandkopsdrift ,Frontier is positioned to be potentially one of the lowest cost and highest margin producers of high purity separated rare earth oxides outside of China
Pre-feasibility Study (June 2015) confirmed Zandkopsdrift’s significant economic potential
800,000 tonnes of Rare Earth Reserves in place sufficient for 45+ year mine life
10
FRONTIER RARE EARTHS - OVERVIEW
11
THE ZANDKOPSDRIFT RARE EARTHS DEPOSIT
ZANDKOPSDRIFT RARE EARTH DEPOSIT - BACKGROUND
Situated in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa’s oldest mining region
Mining / related infrastructure available locally and regionally
450km from Cape Town on N7 highway
35km to nearest railhead (Bitterfontein)
300km north of deep water port of Saldanha Bay
Strong support for the mine development in local communities
All land required for the mine development already acquired by Frontier
12
13
CAPE TOWN – A ‘FIRST WORLD’ DESTINATION
Potential for rapid development and production start-up Good regional infrastructure available - road, rail, power and water
Well located on surface in South Africa’s oldest mining province
THE ZANDKOPSDRIFT DEPOSIT
14
Zandkopsdrift carbonatite
complex
Gravel road to N7
N7 tarred road to Cape Town
Bitterfontein rail head (c.35 km)
Exxaro Resources Namakwa Sands Mine
(c.45 km)
The Zandkopsdrift deposit is a REE-enriched carbonatitic breccia pipe
Occurs as a 1 km diameter circular intrusive rising 40 meters above the surrounding plain
Rare earths (97%) contained in monazite, for which proven commercial extraction processes exist
Attractive distribution of CREOs and very low levels of radioactivity present
THE ZANDKOPSDRIFT DEPOSIT
15
16
CHINESE INDUSTRY DELEGATION VISIT TO ZANDKOPSDRIFT (2014)
GEOLOGICAL MODEL OF THE ZANDKOPSDRIFT DEPOSIT
17
Very good understanding of geology and controls on rare earth mineralisation RE-enriched dykes (“REDs”) intruded into a RE bearing carbonatitic phlogopite breccia phase (“CPB”)
Enriched high grade REE-bearing horizons from surface to 80-100m depth
RESOURCE DELINEATION DRILLING
18
Extensive drilling completed at Zandkopsdrift 313 holes drilled for a total of 21,037 meters, with hole spacing from 20-40m
19,166 meters assayed at 1 meter intervals for resource estimation purposes
WEATHERED CPB INTRUDED BY HIGHLY RE ENRICHED DYKES
19
Weathered CPB 1-3% TREO
Weathered REDs 6-8% TREO
CPB-carbonatitic phlogopite breccia REDs-rare earth enriched dykes
ZANDKOPSDRIFT RESOURCE MODELLING
20
ZANDKOPSDRIFT SAMPLE GEOLOGICAL SECTION
21
BULK SAMPLE TRENCH FOR METALLURGICAL TESTWORK
22
Average grade of 2.64% TREO over 174 metre trench
RARE EARTH INDUSTRY DELEGATION VISIT TO ZANDKOPSDRIFT
23
CONTACT BETWEEN REDS AND CPB IN BULK SAMPLE TRENCH
24
Weathered CPB 1-3% TREO
Weathered REDs 4-5% TREO
RARE EARTH RESERVE BLOCK MODEL
25
ZANDKOPSDRIFT RARE EARTH RESERVE ESTIMATE
26
Proven and Probable Rare Earth Reserves of approximately 800k tonnes TREO, sufficient to support a 45+ year mine life
2015 TREO Reserve Estimate Cut-off Grade
(TREO) Tonnes
(Millions) Average Grade
(TREO)* Contained TREO
(Tonnes)
Proven TREO Reserves 1% 14.93 2.21% 331k
Probable TREO Reserves 1% 26.19 1.75% 458k
Total TREO Reserves 1% 41.12 1.92% 789k
*For breakdown of TREO Grade relative distribution by element see page 27
Zandkopsdrift Relative RE Distribution and Tonnage
Element
Tonnes
Frontier Relative Distribution
Baotou ‘Standard Distribution’
Lanthanum 200,100 25.36% 25.00%
Cerium 347,300 44.02% 50.00%
Praseodymium 36,500 4.63% 5.00%
Neodymium 125,400 15.89% 15.00%
Samarium 17,900 2.27% 1.50%
Europium 4,700 0.60% 0.175%
Gadolinium 11,200 1.42% 0.70%
Terbium 1,400 0.18% <0.1%
Dysprosium 6,200 0.79% <0.1%
Holmium 1,000 0.13% <0.1%
Erbium 2,600 0.33% <0.1%
Thulium 300 0.04% <0.1%
Ytterbium 1,700 0.22% <0.1%
Lutetium 200 0.03% <0.1%
Yttrium 32,500 4.12% <0.1%
T 789,000 100
27
28
PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY OVERVIEW
29
LOCATION OF ZANDKOPSDRIFT PROJECT COMPONENTS
Mixed rare earth hydroxide produced at Zandkopsdrift
Mixed rare earth hydroxide transported 300kms by road to Saldanha Bay
Rare Earth Separation Plant Phase 1: 8,000 tonnes TREO
Phase 2: 16,000 tonnes TREO
The Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone, where Frontier proposes to construct
a rare earth separation facility, was established by South African Government in
October 2013
PRINCIPALKEY PFS CONSULTANTS
30
Consultant Scope of Work Project Status
SGS Lakefield / Mintek / ANSTO / Outotec Metallurgical Testwork Zandkopsdrift Complete
MSA Geological and Resource Report Complete
Sound Mining Solution Mine Design Complete
Outotec Acid Contacting, Fluidised Bed and Acid Plant Design Complete
WorleyParsons Hydrometallurgical Plant Design Complete
Veolia Manganese Recovery Plant Design Complete
Epoch Resources Tailing Disposal Facility Design Complete
AGES / SRK / CSIR Appointed Environmental Consultants Complete
Venmyn Deloitte Overall Qualified Person for NI 43-101 Report Complete
Royal HaskoningDHV Roads Upgrade Project and Volwaterbaai Desalination Plant Complete
Benchmark RA Risk Assessment Facilitator Complete
SNC-Lavalin Engineering & Design of the REE Separation Plant Complete
WorleyParsons / RHDHV Design of Treated Effluent Marine Disposal Pipe Infrastructure Complete
ESKOM Bulk Power Supply to Zandkopsdrift Mine and Separation Plant Complete
Significant improvements made by Frontier to the proven monazite sulphuric acid cracking process principally through
Outotec (Frankfurt) - fluidized bed roasters to replace kilns
Eirich – high shear mixers for acid contacting
Process improvements eliminate major operational problems of the conventional acid cracking process
Produces dry, free flowing feed instead of wet paste
Eliminates acid condensation, which prevents corrosion
Allows 80% recovery of sulphur (typically zero recovery e.g. Lynas, Molycorp)
Allows approx. 99% stabilisation of impurities, resulting in lower impurity removal costs
Reduces residence time from circa.1 hour to circa.10 minutes
Operational stability and significantly improved process control
Lower operating cost
Process improvements substantially eliminate the need for beneficiation before cracking in addition to benefits achieved by the manganese pre-leach
PFS FLOWSHEET
31
32
PROPOSED METALLURGICAL FLOWSHEET
Uses rotary kilns, which results in:
Poor temperature and residence time control, resulting in inefficient cracking
Corrosion in areas where temperature is below acid dew point
Material build up and blockage
Inefficient heat transfer
Limited/no heat recovery
No sulphur recovery
CONVENTIONAL ACID CRACKING PROCESS
33
Does not use kilns but uses fluidised bed reactors, which results in
More precise temperature and residence time control for effective cracking
No corrosion, as temperature maintained above acid dew point
No material build up or blockage
Very efficient heat transfer
Approx. 80% lower residence time
Approx. 50% heat recovery
Approx. 80% sulphur recovery
FRONTIER’S PLANNED ACID CRACKING PROCESS
34
35
OUTOTEC ROASTING TECHNOLOGY-THE MARKET LEADER
Calcining in a rotary kiln has never been possible due to technical limitations
Calcining in a fluidised bed reactor allows precise control of both temperature and residence time providing:
Stabilisation of 99% of impurities
Recovery of 80% of sulphur
Waste heat provides all of the energy input required for the cracking stage
FRONTIER’S PROPOSED CALCINING PROCESS
36
Outotec to provide a fully integrated process package
Acid mixing, low temperature cracking, high temperature calcining, off-gas treatment, sulphur recovery and sulphuric acid plant
Design and build on ‘Lump Sum Turn Key’ (fixed price) contract
Commission and operate for first 2-3 years before client handover
Process guarantee – unique among Western RE projects
Outotec are world leaders in the key technologies being applied
fluidized bed roasters
Off-gas treatment
sulphuric acid plants
Potentially allows access to German finance and export credit guarantees
Patent application process under way by Frontier
PFS FLOWSHEET
37
38
ZANDKOPSDRIFT MINE LAYOUT
39
ZANDKOPSDRIFT MINE PIT DESIGN – PUSHBACKS 1-4
1 2
3 4
40
ZANDKOPSDRIFT OPTIMISED MINE PIT SHELL
41
ZANDKOPSDRIFT MINING SCHEDULE
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
1,100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
K t
Years
Pushbacks Feed
Pushback 1 Pushback 2 Pushback 3 Pushback 4
42
ZANDKOPSDRIFT PROCESSING PLANT LAYOUT
43
PLANT COMPONENTS
44
INFRASTRUCTURE - ACCESS ROADS & DESALINATION PLANT
45
INFRASTRUCTURE - GRID ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
46
SALDANHA BAY - OVERVIEW
Sichen to Saldanha iron ore export rail line
Exxaro ilmenite smelter-Saldanha Bay Arcelor Mittal Saldanha Steel Works
Saldanha Port
47
SALDANHA BAY – PROPOSED SEPARATION PLANT LOCATION
48
PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING PROCESS IS WELL ADVANCED
Stages Completed
49
PREFEASIBILITY STUDY CONCLUSIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS
All of the specialist PFS studies were reviewed by Venmyn Deloitte, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deloitte (www.deloitte.com), specialising in the technical and economic evaluation of mineral projects.
It is concluded that:
the studies undertaken comprehensively examined at a PFS level of accuracy all the necessary significant components of the Zandkopsdrift Project
the capital and operating cost and price estimates are conservative
the overall PFS can be considered to be an ‘advanced study’ of sufficient accuracy and confidence level that potential investors can make reasonable decisions based on the outcomes of the study
A technically feasible and economically robust open pit mining and beneficiation operation can be undertaken at Zandkopsdrift at production capacity of 8,000tpa TREO for four years and thereafter, up to 16,000tpa TREO for a total life of mine of 45.5 years, together with the production and sale of a feed grade manganese sulphate by-product.
Environmental authorisation and mine permitting are well advanced and no significant environmental or legal permitting issues or risks were identified that cannot be managed or mitigated.
The required infrastructure in terms of power and water both to the Zandkopsdrift Mine and the Saldanha Separation Plant can be adequately provided
With net opex projected at $11.9/kg separated TREO ( excl. contingency) Frontier wiould be amongst the lowest cost, highest margin producers of high purity, separated rare earth oxides outside China
Frontier also likely to be amongst the lowest cost producers of manganese sulphate globally as feedstock is ,in effect, free
PFS CONCLUSIONS
50
PFS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS*
51
Post-Tax Net Present Value @ 10% discount rate $2.1bn
Post -Tax Internal Rate of Return 30.0%
Average annual revenue phase 1 (8kt) $440m
Average annual revenue phase 2 (16kt) $880m
Average operating margin years 1 to 20 70%+
Phase 1 Zandkopsdrift Mine ex contingencies $523m
Phase 1 Manganese Sulphate Plant ex contingencies $38m
Phase 1 Separation Plant ex contingencies $248m
Total Phase 1 construction Capex ex contingencies $809m
Total Phase 2 construction Capex ex contingencies** $645m
Operating (cost/kg)
Separated REO*
Post-Tax NPV & IRR
Revenue and Cashflow
Capital Expenditure*
Total cash net operating cost/kg separated REO ex contingency (years 1 - 20) $11.9
*A contingency of 12% of capex and 7% of opex has been added to these estimates in the PFS financial model ** Phase 2 capex to be funded out of operating cash flow
Zandkopsdrift to be developed in 2 phases of 8,000 tpa capacity each
Capex for Phase 1 is estimated to be c.$790m.
Capex for Phase 2, which is expected to be funded from phase 1 cash flow, is estimated to be lower, at c.$630m, due to the bulk of infrastructure related spending being incurred in Phase 1
Approximately 65% of the capex relates to the mine site, with an additional 5% related to the manganese sulphate by product
The remaining 30% relates to the Saldanha Bay separation plant and associated infrastructure
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (PFS)
52
$502m
$413m
$38m
$38m
$248m
$177m
$0m
$100m
$200m
$300m
$400m
$500m
$600m
$700m
$800m
$900m
Phase 1 Phase2
Zandkopsdrift Capex
Saldanha Separation Plant
Manganese Sulphate Plant
Zandkopsdrift Mine Site (ex MnS)
Overall opex projected to be $11.9/kg of separated TREO ( excl. contingency).
Mine site opex to produce mixed REO is estimated to be $8.20/kg (net of a manganese sulphate by-product credit of $3.70/kg)
Separation plant opex is estimated to be $3.70/kg
At PFS opex project can make >50% margin at May 2015 China FOB prices, and >30% margin at May 2015 China domestic prices
This financial profile makes Zandkopsdrift very competitive compared with any integrated producing or prospective western rare earth producer outside of China
OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURE (PFS)
53
11.9 (3.7)
8.2
3.7 11.9
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
ZandkopsdriftMine Site (ex
MnS)
ManganeseSulphate by-
productcredit
Opex per kgof Mixed REO
SeparationPlant Opex
Opex per kgof Separated
REO
Opex US$/ kg of Separated REO (yrs 1-20)*
* Excluding contingency
PROJECTED ANNUAL TREO OUTPUT
54│
* Revenue contributions are calculated using FOB China prices from Metal Pages as at 1 May 2015 - Based on 16ktpa TREO target output at full production - No value is attributed to the five heavy rare earths from Holmium to Lutetium
CREOs (highlighted in red)
comprise 23% of projected output by volume, but ~69% by revenue
Magnet REEs (Pr, Nd, Tb and Dy) would represent ~23% of the output by volume but ~76% by revenue
The percentages are predicted to increase as the relative value of the CREO materials and magnet materials is expected to increase
Ce and La contribute only ~9% of project revenue at current FOB China prices
Contribution to revenue
Production – tonnes per annum
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Other Y
Ton
nes
PA
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
180000
La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Other Y
US$
m a
t Sp
ot
Pri
ces
54
55
ZANDKOPSDRIFT PFS KEY OPERATIONAL METRICS
Zandkopsdrift Project Summary: Key PFS Operational Metrics
Life of Mine 45.5 years
Waste mined 24.3Mt
Ore mined 43.5Mt
Stripping ratio 0.56
TREO feed grade(average LoM) 1.9%
Manganese feed grade (as MnO) 4.7%
Zandkopsdrift plant recovery - TREO 71%
Zandkopsdrift plant recovery - manganese 68%
Saldanha separation plant recovery – TREO 94%
Total saleable separated TREO 558Kt
Total saleable manganese sulphate 3.3Mt
ZANDKOPSDRIFT ESTIMATED PROJECT TIMELINE
56
2013 2014 2015
PFS/DFS Resource
PEA
Pre Feasibility Study
Definitive Feasibility Study
Financing
Construction
Est. Production Start-up
2016 2017 2012 2018
57
WESTERN RARE EARTH COMPETITOR BENCHMARKING
FRONTIER PEER COMPARISON - OVERVIEW
Data sources for peers include the documents listed in the safe harbour statement, financial statements, publicly available market data and Frontier’s analysis.
Company Lynas Molycorp Frontier Avalon Arafura
Rare
Element Quest Tasman Peak Namibia Northern
Deposit Mt Weld Mtn Pass Zandkopsdrift Nechalacho Nolan's Bore Bear Lodge
Strange
Lake
Norra
Karr Ngulla Lofdal
Browns
Range
Location Australia California South Africa NW
Territories Australia Wyoming Quebec Sweden Tanzania Namibia Australia
Tonnes per
annum 22kt 19kt 16kt 10kt 20kt 7.5kt 10kt 5kt 10kt 1.5kt 3kt
Separated REOs Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No
Stage in process Production
ramp up
Production
ramp up PFS DFS DFS PFS PEA PFS PFS PEA DFS
Primary RE
Mineral Monazite Bastnaesite Monazite Fergusonite
Fluorapatite
& Cheralite
Ancylite &
Bastnaesite Kainosite Eudialyte Bastnaesite Xenotime Xenotime
Commercial
Process Yes Yes Yes No No ? No No Yes Yes Yes
Industry Partner Yes No Yes No No No No No Yes No Yes
Start-up year
(est.) 2012/13 2012/13 2018/9 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
58
POTENTIAL CREO REVENUE AT FULL PRODUCTION
Frontier would be the third largest producer of CREOs by value of any of the current or prospective RE producers outside China, including Lynas and Molycorp
Notes: 1. Bars in solid colours represent projects for which there is a commercially proven metallurgical process for extracting the rare earth minerals in the
deposit. 2. Bars with cross hatched colours represent projects for which no commercially proven metallurgical process exists for extracting the rare earth
minerals in the deposit. 3. Based on FOB China REO prices from Metal Pages 1 May 2015
59
-
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
CREO US$m
POTENTIAL MAGNET CREO AND PHOSPHOR CREO REVENUE
Frontier would be the third largest producer of CREO(m) and second largest producer of CREO(p) by value of any of the current or prospective RE producers outside China, including Lynas and Molycorp
Notes: 1. Bars in solid colours represent projects for which there is a commercially proven metallurgical process for extracting the rare earth minerals in the deposit. 2. Bars with cross hatched colours represent projects for which no commercially proven metallurgical process exists for extracting the rare earth minerals in the deposit. 3. Based on FOB REO prices from Metal Pages on 1 May 2015
60
- 50
100 150 200 250 300 350 400
CREO(magnet) US$m
-
20
40
60
80
100
CREO(phosphor) US$m
Korea Resources Corporation (“KORES”) is owned by the Korean government
Works with major Korean industry groups and assembles consortia of Korean companies to participate with KORES in commercial ventures
Korean government has designated rare earths as a strategic raw material for Korea’s future economic growth and selected Zandkopsdrift as a key source of their future rare earth supply
KOREA RESOURCES CORPORATION JOINT VENTURE
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KORES acquired a 10% interest in Zandkopsdrift for $23.8m in Dec 2012.
Kores has no shareholding in Frontier. KORES pays 10% of capital and operating costs and will purchase 10% of rare earth production at open market prices
Frontier has an interest in two graphite deposits in Mozambique the most advance is the Lurio Project which is located near Pemba
Geological mapping, ground geophysical surveys, sampling, trenching, metallurgical test work and conceptual engineering studies were undertaken in 2014 The results of the 2014 program confirmed the presence of high grade, large flake graphite mineralisation, identified the potential for the production of a high purity large flake graphite concentrate and indicated that the project had sufficient economic potential for further work to be undertaken The grade of samples taken in the Lurio project area ranges from 5% to 15% total graphitic carbon although the representivity of the material analysed has yet to be verified. Initial bench scale metallurgical test results indicate that the graphite can be easily liberated, with approximately 60% of the flake being classified as +80 Mesh Frontier is commencing resource drilling on the property with the intention of doing sufficient drilling in 2015 to allow for the definition of a maiden graphite resource
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GRAPHITE
TSX: FRO / US: FREFF
Shares Outstanding: 89.6m
Market Cap c.$22m
Recent Share Price $0.24 (52 week hi/low $0.45 - $0.15)
Working Capital c.$20m (no debt)
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FRONTIER MARKET PROFILE
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20
40
60
80
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Frontier vs. Peers LTM
Frontier Share Price
Peer Average (RER, Tasman, Quest, Arafura, Avalon)
Industry Leader Average (Molycorp + Lynas)
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SUMMARY
Zandkopsdrift is a high quality rare earth deposit with a valuable manganese by-product potential High grade monazite deposit, attractive CREO distribution, large tonnage, on surface, low radioactivity and near infrastructure
One of the largest potential producers of CREOs and Magnet REEs outside of China
Completed PFS independently confirming the economic potential of the project and the robustness of the metallurgical process
Sufficient Proven and Probable TREO reserves for a 45 year+ mine life PFS financial model indicates a 30% IRR (post-tax) and an NPV10% of $2.2bn Well positioned to become the next major western producer of separated rare earth oxides with plan to produce 14 separated rare earth oxides in purities up to 99.999%
Only RE junior with strategic industry partner and off-take agreement
Experienced management and technical teams Strong financial position with $20m in cash and no debt For further information visit www.frontierrareearths.com
APPENDICES
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INTRODUCTION TO FRONTIER’S SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Frontier’s team have extensive experience of exploration and development of mineral projects in Southern Africa, rare earths, financing and corporate development
Philip Kenny B Eng, MBA Co-founder and Chairman 25+ years experience in natural resource sector. Founder and former Executive Chairman and CEO of Firestone Diamonds plc, an AIM-listed diamond mining company focused which built and operated diamond mines in South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho.
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 reviews, scoping, pre-feasibility and definitive feasibility studies in Africa and Canada.
Ms Vivian Wu B Sc, EMBA Business Development Director- Greater China
20+ years experience in rare earth industry in senior roles with China Minmetals Corporation, Rhodia (China) Investment Co and Treibacher Industrie AG.
James Kenny B Comm, MBS Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
25 years experience in natural resources sector as an executive, adviser and broker. Co-founder of Frontier and centrally involved in all aspects of Frontier's development, corporate, strategic and financing activities since incorporation.
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.
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.
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Zandkopsdrift Production Profile
Rare Earth Oxide Product purity Proportion of element output
Lanthanum 2N-3N 75%
5N 25%
Cerium
2N 30%
3N 30%
3N5 40%
Praseodymium 3N 50%
to Didymium 50%
Neodymium 3N 55%
to Didymium 45%
Samarium 2N-3N 100%
Europium 4N 100%
Gadolinium 2N-3N 100%
Terbium 4N 100%
Dysprosium 3N 100%
Yttrium 5N 100%
Holmium to Lutetium Mixed 100%
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Zandkopsdrift production profile
ZANDKOPSDRIFT PEER COMPARISON - GRADE
Rare Earth Oxide
REO price Lynas Molycorp Frontier**
Rare
Element Arafura Avalon Quest Tasman Peak Namibia Northern
($/kg)2
Mt Weld Mtn Pass Zandkopsd
rift
Bear
Lodge
Nolans
Bore
Nechalach
o
Strange
Lake
Norra
Karr Ngulla Lofdal
Browns
Range
LR
EO
Lanthanum $5 1.88% 2.18% 0.487% 0.78% 0.50% 0.24% 0.11% 0.06% 1.35% 0.00% 0.01%
Cerium $5 3.76% 3.22% 0.845% 1.14% 1.28% 0.51% 0.26% 0.13% 2.02% 0.00% 0.02%
Praseodymium $117 0.41% 0.28% 0.089% 0.14% 0.16% 0.06% 0.03% 0.02% 0.22% 0.00% 0.00%
Neodymium $58 1.43% 0.79% 0.305% 0.50% 0.54% 0.24% 0.10% 0.07% 0.78% 0.00% 0.01%
Samarium $5 0.19% 0.05% 0.044% 0.08% 0.05% 0.04% 0.02% 0.02% 0.06% 0.00% 0.01%
HR
EO
Europium $705 0.04% 0.01% 0.011% 0.02% 0.01% 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% 0.01% 0.00% 0.00%
Gadolinium $47 0.09% 0.01% 0.027% 0.04% 0.02% 0.05% 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% 0.01% 0.04%
Terbium $615 0.01% 0.00% 0.003% 0.00% 0.00% 0.01% 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.01%
Dysprosium $340 0.02% 0.00% 0.015% 0.01% 0.00% 0.04% 0.04% 0.03% 0.00% 0.03% 0.06%
Holmium* $0 0.00% 0.00% 0.002% 0.00% 0.00% 0.01% 0.01% 0.01% 0.00% 0.01% 0.01%
Erbium* $0 0.01% 0.00% 0.006% 0.00% 0.00% 0.01% 0.02% 0.02% 0.00% 0.02% 0.04%
Thulium* $0 0.00% 0.00% 0.001% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Ytterbium* $0 0.01% 0.00% 0.004% 0.00% 0.00% 0.01% 0.02% 0.02% 0.00% 0.02% 0.03%
Lutetium* $0 0.00% 0.00% 0.000% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Yttrium $13 0.06% 0.01% 0.079% 0.03% 0.01% 0.15% 0.25% 0.20% 0.01% 0.20% 0.39%
Total – TREO 7.90% 6.57% 1.92% 2.75% 2.57% 1.36% 0.90% 0.59% 4.47% 0.29% 0.63%
Total – HREO
0.42% 0.09% 0.20% 0.19% 0.10% 0.32% 0.40% 0.33% 0.11% 0.29% 0.59%
Total – CREO 1.96% 1.10% 0.53% 0.70% 0.71% 0.50% 0.42% 0.32% 1.02% 0.23% 0.48%
Total – CREO (m)
1.86% 1.08% 0.43% 0.65% 0.70% 0.35% 0.17% 0.12% 1.00% 0.03% 0.08%
Total – CREO (p) 0.11% 0.02% 0.10% 0.05% 0.02% 0.16% 0.26% 0.21% 0.02% 0.20% 0.40%
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South Africa is the largest economy in Africa, generating approx. 25% of African GDP 40% of African industrial output 50% of African electrical supply
Ranked as an upper-middle income economy by the World Bank
Population of 52 million Multi-ethnic society with diverse culture and
religions (Christian, Hindu, Islam, Judaism) 11 Official languages but English used for business
and legislation Area is 1,219,090 sq. km (5 times larger than UK)
SOUTH AFRICA – IN BRIEF
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South Africa has 9 Provinces 3 Capital cities
-Pretoria (administrative) -Cape Town (legislative) -Bloemfontein (Judicial)
Climates range from semi-tropical on the North East
Cost to a Mediterranean type climate on the South Cape Coast
Very popular tourist destination. Cape Town was rated as the world’s #1 travel destination in 2014
Racial Mix of South African population -79% African -9% White -9% Coloured -3% Asian and Indian
Political System: South Africa operates a multi-party democracy. The President is limited to 2 five year terms of office. The current ruling party is the African National Congress (ANC), of which Jacob Zuma is President.
SOUTH AFRICA – IN BRIEF
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South Africa welcomes foreign investment and virtually all business activities are open to foreign investors.
Foreign investors are generally treated the same as local South African investors.
The South African Government exercises control over the transfer of money into and out of the country and a foreign investor must obtain permission to transfer money, however the process is very routine.
The Government has developed five industrial development zones (‘IDZ’) in South Africa (including at Saldanha Bay) which offers several advantages and
incentives for companies locating there.
SOUTH AFRICAN INVESTMENT CLIMATE
The Saldanha Bay IDZ, where Frontier proposes to construct a rare earth separation
facility was launched in Oct 2013
"Our strategy [at Saldanha] is aimed at strengthening the maritime support capacity to create economic opportunities from the gas and oil mining activities along the African west coast, as well as the expansion of iron ore mining production and beneficiation in the Northern Cape.“
Jacob Zuma – President of South Africa
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All mineral rights in South Africa are held by the State Applications may be made to the Department of Mineral Resources (“DMR”) for a reconnaissance permit, prospecting right and mining right
The DMR applies a “first in line” approach to the processing of applications Prospecting rights may be granted for an initial period of 5 years and renewed for an additional 3 years. The holder of a prospecting right has the right to apply for a mining right which may be granted for a maximum period of 30 years.
Mining rights can be renewed for up to a further 30 years The holder of a mining right is entitled to enter land, build, construct and lay down infrastructure which may be required for mining, to mine, use water, drill boreholes and any other activity related to mining and processing
Prospecting and mining rights can be transferred with the consent of the Minister (DMR)
SOUTH AFRICA – MINING AND MINERALS
SOUTH AFRICA – ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
The right to an environment that is not harmful to one’s health or well-being is set out as a fundamental right in the South African constitution
The environmental right in the Constitution is supported by other environmental legislation that aims to protect the environment while pursuing sustainable economic growth on terms applicable to a developing nation
There is no integrated environmental permitting system in South Africa.
It is the responsibility of the project developer to determine which environmental permits are necessary and to ensure that all such permits are obtained. Separate permits are often required from separate environmental authorities and from different levels of government.
Regulatory Regime for Water
The use of any water source requires the consent of the authorities. Permission to use water for large developments is granted in the form of a water use licence
Regulatory Regime for Air Pollution
Air pollution is regulated by the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act The Act provides that no person may, without a provisional atmospheric emission licence or an atmospheric emission licence,
conduct an activity listed on the national list With regard to polluters’ liabilities to pay compensation for air pollution, the internationally accepted principle that “the polluter
pays” applies and along with any common law remedies that a party may have, a party may be able to claim compensation from a polluter
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SOUTH AFRICA – ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
Legislation provides that certain listed activities cannot be initiated unless an EIA or basic assessment (depending on the size and nature of the activity) is carried out and approval obtained from the relevant authority
If the activity is a listed activity under EIA regulations, then a permit is required before the activity can begin. Other permits from authorities may also be required as there is no integrated permitting system
Regulatory Regime for Waste
The National Environmental Management: Waste Act provides for national standards for the storage, collection, transportation, treatment, disposal, re-use and recycling of waste in general as well as hazardous waste
The Act provides that no person may commence, undertake or conduct a waste management activity without a waste management licence if that activity is listed as an activity for which a waste management licence is required
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SOUTH AFRICA – TAXATION
Standard corporation tax rate is 28% however accelerated capital allowances are available for mining companies allowing all capital costs to be offset against profits immediately
There is a royalty payable by mining companies based on the value of the first sale of the product. For Frontier this will be the sale of a Mixed Rare Earth product before separation. The royalty is from 0.5% to 7% of sales depending on Gross Profit margins. Due to capital allowances Frontier is unlikely to any significant royalties for a number of years after production commences
Personal income tax ranges from 25% - 40%
Value Added Tax (VAT) is 14%
Capital Gains Tax is 18.6% but non-residents are not liable for this tax
South Africa has double tax agreements with more than 60 countries.
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