Attached is Iluka's December Quarterly Production and Development Report.
Key features include the following:
� Mineral Sands Sales Revenue (ex Mining Area C Royalty, as well as by-product and other revenues) for the 12 months (pre- currency hedging) increased by 16.7% to $1,008 million and by 9.0% to $979m after currency hedging -refer page 4 of attachment for further detail.
� Higher revenue reflects higher zircon sales volumes, an increase in high grade Ti02 (rutile and synthetic rutile) prices, a marginally lower average full year A$/US$ currency (0.08535 cents compared with 0.8390 cents) influenced in part by a significantly lower fourth quarter average A$/US$ exchange rate (0.6746 cents compared with September 2008 quarter of 0.8907 cents), offset by lower first half zircon prices.
� Zircon production for the 12 months down by 14.8% to 438,000 tonnes (“kt”) (2007: 514kt), including a reduction of approximately 15kt associated with the gas supply disruption in Western Australia. December quarter zircon production increased 2.2 per cent from the September 2008 quarter. Approximately 25% of Iluka’s zircon production is now sourced from Murray Basin, a level which is expected to increase with the commencement of Murray Basin Stage 2 in the first half of this year.
� Rutile production was stable (down 0.9%) at 214kt on an annual basis, despite the loss of approximately 8kt associated with the gas supply disruption in Western Australia. The Murray Basin now contributes approximately 30% of Iluka’s rutile production and this level will increase with the commencement of production from Murray Basin Stage 2.
� Synthetic rutile production declined 11.3 per cent year-on-year to 467kt, with production adversely affected by approximately 45kt associated with the Western Australian gas supply disruption, as well as major maintenance outages in the first quarter of the two South West kilns. December quarter production at 133kt was marginally lower than the September 2008 quarter at 136kt.
� Iluka advised on 15 Oct 2008 that it expected 4th quarter 2008 zircon production to be in the range of 100kt to 120kt (actual: 110kt), with sales volumes expected to exceed production by around 25 per cent. Fourth quarter zircon sales were broadly in line with this guidance, with only minor volumes of planned zircon sales not taken up by customers in the period.
� Zircon sales exceeded production by over 20% (or more than 100kt) for the full year through the draw-down of inventory. Given 2009 zircon production is expected to be in line with 2008 levels and zircon sales volumes in 2009 are expected to be more closely aligned to production volumes, Iluka’s lower zircon volume available for sale in 2009 is expected to contribute to overall industry supply tightness for this product.
� Iluka advised on 15 Oct 2008 that it expected 4th quarter rutile production of 45kt to 55kt (actual: 50kt), and indicated it expected rutile sales in the fourth quarter to be in line with production. Sales volumes were at the low end of this range, influenced by an 11kt rutile shipment which occurred in early January 2009 rather than December 2008. Iluka now expects 2009 rutile production to be 30 to 40% higher than 2008 levels vs the 15 Oct 2008 expectation of approximately 40%.
� Iluka also advised that it expected 4th quarter synthetic rutile production to be between 130kt to 140kt (actual: 133kt), with synthetic rutile sales expected to be roughly 30% higher than production in the quarter, which was the outcome. Iluka also advised that it expected 2009 production of synthetic rutile to be similar to 2008 levels, which remains the case.
� Iluka’s capital expenditure for the full year was $252m, of which $194m was committed to the growth projects of Murray Basin Stage 2 (Victoria), Jacinth-Ambrosia (South Australia) and Brink, (Virginia, United States). The lower expenditure level compared with October 2008 guidance of $310m reflects slower cash capital expenditure rates (as opposes to committed expenditure) than previously forecast in the major projects.
� Each of these projects is within budget and on-schedule, with Murray Basin Stage 2 and Brink commissioning to be followed by production ramp up in the second quarter this financial year, and Jacinth-Ambrosia expected to commence operations by mid 2010. Iluka’s strong balance sheet situation provides the capacity on current forecasts to fund comfortably the remaining expenditure for these projects.
� Iluka has commenced arrangements to close its Wagerup mine site, south of Perth, during January 2009. Mining at Wagerup commenced in 2005. In addition, Iluka plans to complete its mining operations at Waroona in the fourth quarter of 2009, following the exhaustion of higher value synthetic rutile feedstock ilmenite. During 2008, mining operations at Cloverdale also ceased.
� The decision to cease mining operations early at Wagerup and Waroona is aligned with Iluka’s focus on generating acceptable returns from its operations. Both of these operations are now at the stage where the production output is mainly lower value sulphate ilmenite. A number of closure costs and provisions for these decisions will be reflected in the full year results.
Iluka's full year results are expected to be released on 19 February.
If I can assist with any further information related to the Production Report please let me know.
Regards
Rob
Robert Porter | General Manager Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs
Iluka Resources Limited | Level 23, 140 St Georges Terrace | Perth WA 6000
Phone +61 8 9360 4751 | Mobile 0407 391 829 | Fax + 61 8 9360 4336
robert.porter@iluka.com