News Release
| Tronox Incorporated | Exxaro Resources Limited |
March 27, 2008 – The Tiwest Joint Venture partners, Tronox Incorporated (NYSE: TRX, TRX.B) subsidiary Tronox Western Australia Pty Ltd (50% interest) and South African-based Exxaro Resources Limited (JSE Limited: EXX) subsidiary Yalgoo Minerals Pty Ltd (50% interest), today announced that the boards of directors of both companies have given final approval for the expansion of the Tiwest titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment plant in Kwinana, Western Australia, which was announced last year.
With expectations for continued strong demand growth in the Asia-Pacific region, the expansion will allow Tiwest to capture future opportunities in this rapidly growing market. The project, which will increase the plant’s current annual capacity from 110,000 tonnes per year to around 150,000 tonnes per year, is expected to cost in the range of A$100 million. Tiwest plans to begin construction during 2008, subject to appropriate regulatory approvals. The additional capacity is expected to come on line in early 2010.
The joint venture partners have signed an agreement under which Exxaro will provide ongoing funding for the expansion. Tronox has the option to contribute its share of the capital at its discretion throughout the project and until a date two years from commissioning, which will be taken into account when calculating its final interest in the expanded production.
The Kwinana plant, with a current annual capacity of 110,000 tonnes, produces chloride process titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment using Tronox’s proprietary technology and marketed under the TRONOX® brand.
“This expansion will provide us with the additional capacity needed to meet the future demands of our existing customers and prospective new customers in the Asia-Pacific region, which is projected to be the world’s largest pigment consuming region in 2008 and beyond,” said Tom Adams, Tronox chairman and chief executive officer.
“The Tiwest development is an important contribution to Exxaro’s strategy of downstream value adding in our mineral sands business,” said Sipho Nkosi, Exxaro’s chief executive officer. Together with the South African east coast KZN Sands operation and the soon to be completed acquisition of the Namakwa Sands business on South Africa’s west coast, the combined developments position Exxaro as a major supplier to the titanium and zircon industries.
Editor’s Notes:
Tiwest
The Tiwest Joint Venture is the world’s largest integrated titanium minerals production and manufacturing company. Established in 1988, Tiwest operates in Western Australia. Its facilities include the Cooljarloo mineral sands mine, the Chandala synthetic rutile plant and the Kwinana titanium dioxide pigment plant. Tiwest’s success has been built on the development of high quality mineral reserves and the application of sophisticated process technology. For information on Tiwest, visit www.tiwest.com.au.
Tronox
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Tronox is the world’s third-largest producer and marketer of titanium dioxide pigment, with an annual production capacity of 642,000 tonnes. Titanium dioxide pigment is an inorganic white pigment used in paint, coatings, plastics, paper and many other everyday products. The company’s five pigment plants, which are located in the United States, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands, supply high-performance products to approximately 1,100 customers in 100 countries. In addition, Tronox produces electrolytic products, including sodium chlorate, electrolytic manganese dioxide, boron trichloride, elemental boron and lithium manganese oxide. For additional information on Tronox, visit www.tronox.com.
Exxaro
Exxaro is one of the largest South African-based diversified resources groups, with interests in the mineral sands, coal, base metals, industrial minerals and iron ore commodities. Exxaro was formed through the re-listing on the JSE Limited of Kumba Resources in November 2006 as part of a major black economic empowerment transaction in which Kumba’s iron ore assets were unbundled and listed as Kumba Iron Ore, and the non-iron ore assets were merged with the assets of Eyesizwe Coal and re-listed as Exxaro. More information is available on www.exxaro.com.
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| Investor Contact: | Robert Gibney Direct: 405-775-5105 E-mail: robert.gibney@tronox.com |
| Media Contact: | Robert Gibney Direct: 405-775-5105 E-mail: robert.gibney@tronox.com |
Exxaro Contact:
Trevor Arran
Executive General Manager: Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations
Tel: +27 12 307 3292 Mobile: +27 83 609 1444
E-mail: Trevor.arran@exxaro.com