ANNUAL REPORT - Ferrexpo

Transcription

ANNUAL REPORTfor over 40 years

SINCE 1977, FERREXPO HAS SUPPLIEDHIGH QUALITY IRON ORE PELLETS TOTHE WORLD’S STEEL INDUSTRY. WEHAVE BEEN LISTED ON THE LONDONSTOCK EXCHANGE FOR OVER 10 YEARS.The Group has had a premium listing onthe Main Market of the London StockExchange since its IPO in June 2007 and itis currently a constituent of the FTSE 250Index and the FTSE4Good Index.Ferrexpo is the largest exporter of iron orepellets in the Former Soviet Union (the“FSU”) and currently the third largestsupplier of blast furnace pellets to theglobal steel industry.For more informationSee pages 20-23BUT IT’S THE FUTURE THAT INSPIRES US.OUR VISION IS TO KEEP ON GROWING BYDEVELOPING OUR PLENTIFUL RESOURCESAND ENABLING OUR PEOPLE TO PERFORMTO THEIR BEST.

01Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018GROUP PERFORMANCE 2018S T R AT E G I C R E P O R TIFC01020304C O R P O R AT E G O V E R N A N C E60626369717677789498F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T SIndependent Auditor’s Reportto the Members of Ferrexpo plcConsolidated Income StatementConsolidated Statement ofComprehensive IncomeConsolidated Statementof Financial PositionConsolidated Statement ofCash FlowsConsolidated Statementof Changes in EquityNotes to the ConsolidatedFinancial StatementsParent Company Statementof Financial PositionNotes to the Parent CompanyFinancial StatementsAdditional DisclosuresAlternative Performance MeasuresGlossaryShareholder Information100110Group LTIFR in line with 2017 (2017: 1.17x)1 fatality during the year (2017: 1)94% of production of 65% Fe pellets (2017:total production 10.4Mt, 95% of productionof 65% Fe pellets)1.18x10.6MTRE V ENUEUS 1.3BN(2017: US 1.2BN)UNDERLYING EBITDA APROFIT FOR THE Y E A R(2017: US 551M)(2017: US 394M)US 503MUS 335MDILUTED EPSNE T DEBT TO EBITDA A(2017: 66.9 US CENTS)(2017: 0.72x)56.7 0.67xNE T CASH FLOW FROMOPER ATING ACTIVITIE SDIVIDEND PER SH A RE(2017: US 353M)(2017: 16.5 US CENTS PER SHARE)US 292M23.1 111112113114115162164168169172176A LT E R N AT I V EPERFORMANCE ME ASURESWords with the symbol Aare defined in the AlternativePerformance Measuressection of the Annual Reporton pages 169-171.FINANCIAL STATEMENTSBoard of DirectorsExecutive CommitteeCorporate Governance ReportIndependent Review Committee ReportAudit Committee ReportNominations Committee ReportRelations with ShareholdersRemuneration ReportDirectors’ ReportStatement of Directors’ResponsibilitiesTOTA L PRODUCTIONCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE05060708091012162024323436384849LOST TIME INJURY FREQUENCY R ATESTR ATEGIC REPORTWelcome to FerrexpoGroup Performance 2018Ferrexpo at a GlanceHigh Value SectorLong-Life Resource BaseLow Cost and Well Invested ProductionProcessHigh Quality ProductEstablished LogisticsWorld Class Customer BaseSustainable FutureBusiness ModelProduction ProcessChairman’s StatementMarket ReviewPerformance ReviewStrategic FrameworkKey Performance IndicatorsRisk ManagementPrincipal RisksViability StatementResponsible Business

02Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018FERREXPO AT A GLANCEFerrexpo’s strongbusiness profileenables the Companyto create long-termsustainable valuefor all stakeholders.01 HIGH VALUESECTOR02 LONG-LIFERESOURCE BASEFerrexpo’s products are used to createhigh value steels that are used forsophisticated end-user products.Ferrexpo has a significant resource basewith 6.5 billion tonnes of JORC classifiedresources and 13 billion tonnes of FSUclassified resources.For more informationSee page 303 LOW COST ANDWELL INVESTEDPRODUCTIONPROCESSFerrexpo is one of the lowest cost pelletproducers in the world. Since its IPO in2007, it has invested over US 2.3 billioninto modernising and expandingits operations.04 HIGH QUALITYPREMIUM PRICEDPELLETS05 ESTABLISHEDLOGISTICSINFRASTRUCTUREFerrexpo receives a price premium for itsproduct compared to the benchmark62% Fe iron ore fines price, CFR China.The Group exports all of its productionand transports its pellets by rail, barge orsea to customers around the world.For more informationSee pages 6, 20-23, 25For more informationSee pages 5, 12-1506 WORLD CLASSCUSTOMER BASEFerrexpo has a high quality customer listconsisting of the most ‘crisis-resistant’steel mills in the world.For more informationSee pages 8, 29For more informationSee page 407 SUSTAINABLEFUTUREFerrexpo has been profitable throughevery trough in the commodities cycledue to its well invested asset base,long-term customer relationships, skilledworkforce and high quality product. Thisensures the Group can continue to makea positive contribution to the societies inwhich it operates.For more informationSee pages 9, 49-59For more informationSee page 7

03Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018STR ATEGIC REPORTHIGH VALUE SECTORCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCESupply of pellets peaked in 2010 at c.150MT2010exports% changevs 20103091203%151132(13)%Exports of pellet feedExports of pellets2018exportsExports of lump16028578%Exports of fines7591,13349%1,1001,64149%Total exportsSource: management estimates and CRU (Market Outlook January 2019)Iron ore pellets are the highest valueform of iron ore. It is a niche marketwith high barriers to entry, includingthe requirement to beneficiate andupgrade the iron ore and high capitalcosts to establish a full mine-to-portpelletising operation. Pellets are themost productive source of iron ore asteel mill can use.8%PELLETS MAKE UP 8%OF GLOBAL IRON ORE EXPORTSIRON ORE FINES/LUMP/PELLET FEEDFines (150μm – 6.8mm)– From hematite ore, c.70% of globaliron ore exports– Global benchmark for iron ore pricing– Agglomerated into ‘sinter’ at the sinterplant of a steel mill before use in afurnace. The resultant operating costcauses fines to have a lowerrelative valueLump (6.8mm – 15mm)– From hematite. c.17% of global exports– Can be charged directly into furnace,enabling steel producer to avoidsintering, thus sold at premium to finesPellet feed (60μm – 150μm)– From magnetite – also known asconcentrate, c.6% of global exports– Lowest value form of iron ore, since therequired pelletising is more costly thanthe sintering required for finesIRON OREPELLETSPellets (10mm)– From magnetite, c.8% of global exports– Uniform in size and composition(c.62-65% iron content)– Highest value form of iron ore sincepellets are the most efficient sourceof iron for a steel furnace– Pellets reduce energy requirements, slagvolumes and air emissions in thesteelmaking process while improving thequality of the final product – and thus command a premiumon the market relative to fines, lumpand concentrate– Manufactured by agglomerationof concentrate (“pellet feed”) in apelletising plantFINANCIAL STATEMENTSMT

04Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018FERREXPO AT A GLANCE CONTINUED02Ferrexpo’s significant magnetite resourcebase is situated along a single ore body,which allows for efficient expansionthrough brownfield developmentsMagnetite ore allows for isolation of ironunits so as to produce a uniform and highiron content product. Magnetite ore isexothermic which reduces energyrequirements and lowers costs.LONG-LIFERESOURCE KE (“GPL”)0.3BTGALESCHYNSKEJORC CLASSIFIED RESOURCESFORMER SOVIET UNION (NON-JORC)CLASSIFIED RYSTIVSKE40 13BT6.5BTAT CURRENT PRODUCTIONRATES, THE GROUP HASENOUGH RESERVES FOROVER 40 YEARS OFPRODUCTIONFORMER SOVIETUNION CLASSIFIEDRESOURCEJORC CLASSIFIED RESOURCESJORC Reserve Statements as at 1 January 20191ProvedMtFe total%Fe magnetic%ProbableMtFe total%Fe magnetic%Gorishne-Plavninske-Lavrykivske JORC Reserves36431229333123DepositJORC Resource Statements as at 1 January 2019²MeasuredMtFe total%Femagnetic%IndicatedMtFe total%Femagnetic%InferredMtFe total%Femagnetic%Gorishne-Plavninske-Lavrykivske 2623–1,4423642175831303055232321–JORC Resources84831233618332220813122Deposit1. The ore reserves estimates for the GPL deposits were calculated based on a review conducted by Turgis DHV Mining Consultants in May 2009 less the volume of ore mined from GPLdeposits between May 2009 and 31 December 2018.2. The ore reserve estimates are based on a report by Royal Haskoning DHV dated September 2013. The ore reserves estimates for Yerystivske deposit has been depleted in line with thevolume of ore mined between September 2013 and 31 December 2018.

05Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 201803– Since 2007, the Group hasincreased total annual productionvolumes by 17%– By 2021, the Group plans toincrease production volumesby 15% to 12Mt105Acquired 49.5% of berth at Port Yuzhnyenabling seaborne shipmentsStart of development of FYM(new open pit mine)FINANCIAL STATEMENTS27608860916710Acquired barging operation onDanube River to transport pellets37811Commenced modernisation& quality upgrade programmeat FPM430122781323214651516Completion of FPM’s quality upgrade programme& ramp up of premium 65% Fe pellets; refurbishmentof first pellet lineIncreased ownership of rail cars totransport 80% of production volumes18103Commencement of Concentrator ExpansionProgramme (“CEP1”); refurbishment of second pelletline13519–202120 MTPAFirst oreat FYMFirst shipment of capesize vessels tocustomers in Asia4817CORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE– Thereafter, the Group aims toincrease production volumesto 20MtCAPITAL INVESTMENTA (US M)07STR ATEGIC REPORTLOW COST ANDWELL INVESTEDPRODUCTIONPROCESS– Since 2007, the Group hasincreased output of 65% Fe pelletsby 168%US 2.3BNINVESTED SINCE IPOCompletion of Medium Fine Crushing 1 (“MFC1”), increasedmaintenance vs. 2015 and 2016; refurbishment of third pellet lineRefurbishment of final pellet line;New concentrate storage area; completion of engineering studies for pellet expansion to 20Mt Completion of CEP1 – increase in pellet feed output by c.1-1.5MtPA; completion of MFC2Increase in pellet output to 12MtFuture projects not yet Board approved, engineering studies in progress,continue to increased pellet quality, commencement of CEP2 pellet and plant upgrade

06Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018FERREXPO AT A GLANCE CONTINUED04HIGH QUALITYPREMIUM PRICEDPELLETSIn 2015, the Group completed its Quality UpgradeProgramme to increase average iron content of itspellets to 65% Fe. As such, production of 65% Fepellets has increased from 53% total output in 2014to 94% in 2018. Ferrexpo receives a price premiumfor its product, which is supported by high costpellet producers with large market share (as can beseen from the cost curve below).94%Improvement in Ferrexpo’s Pellet PriceFollowing its Quality Upgrade 6%PREMIUM 65% FEPELLET PRODUCTION201220132014201562% Fe fines price Platts CFR ChinaFerrexpo realised priceFerrexpo’s % production of 65% Fe pelletCRU Breakeven Pellet Cost Curve to Chinay-axis: Business costs for pellet exports, 2018, US /dmt CFR Chinax-axis: Cumulative pellet exports, 2018, Mt (dry)*FERREXPO IS ONE OF THELOWEST COST PELLETPRODUCERS IN THE WORLDDelivery to China assumes allshipments from all producersgo to the Chinese market,which has a higher pelletpremium than other pelletmarkets.Definition: Business costs are the sum of realisation costs and site costs. Realisation costs include the cost of getting the material to market, the marketing of thematerial and the financing cost of selling the material. The power of business costs is that by adjusting all product qualities relative to the same benchmark (62% Fefines product delivered to North China), it allows all mines to be compared on a cost curve on a like-for-like basis. This also means that by subtracting the benchmarkprice from the business costs for a mine you get an estimate of cash flow from that operation.

07Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018KYIVP O LTA VAFERREXPOUZHHORODZOLOTNISHINOCHOPB AT ’ O V OZNAMENKA20AVERAGE NUMBER CAPESIZE VESSELSLOADED PER YEAR1562,252OWNBARGESDNIEPER RIVERPORTYUZHNYDANUBE RIVERPORT IZMAILSAILING TIME TO ASIAUKRAINE/30 DAYSBRAZIL/40 DAYSNORWAY/50 DAYSCANADA/55 DAYSSEA OF AZOVPORTODESACRIMEAP O RT C O N S TA N TAOWN RAIL CARSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSLV I VMOSTYSKACORPOR ATE GOVERNANCEThe Group’s logisticsinfrastructure enables it totransport its pellets by rail to thewestern border of Ukraine toconnect with the European railnetwork, by barge on the DanubeRiver into Europe and by capesizevessel from its TIS Ruda Terminalin the southern port of Yuzhny.STR ATEGIC REPORTESTABLISHED LOGISTICSINFRASTRUCTURE

08Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018FERREXPO AT A GLANCE CONTINUEDWORLD CLASSCUSTOMER BASECENTRAL EUROPE*47%WESTERN EUROPE*16%A trial shipment to the USaccounted for just under 1%of sales volume in 2018.CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIATURKEY, MIDDLEEAST & INDIA13%NORTHEAST ASIA6%17%Ferrexpo’s world classcustomer base produces highquality steels for value addedfinished products. Thesecustomers look to operateefficiently and to reducetheir CO2 footprint.3RDLARGEST EXPORTER OFPELLETS IN THE WORLDHigh Quality Sales PortfolioThe Group has continued to implement itsstrategy of selling the vast majority of itsproduction under long-term contracts withcrisis-resistant customers. During 2018, inboth Asia and Europe, several long-termcontracts were renewed or extended whilstnew markets continued to be developedtoward long-term business in the future.In this regard, during the year, the Groupmade its first trial shipment of DR pellets toNorth America representing just under 1%of sales volumes in 2018.GLOBAL PELLET EXPORTERS IN 2018MarketShare2018Pellet Exportsin 2018(Mt)BF Pelletsin 2018DR Pelletsin 2018Vale (Brazil Oman)LKABFerrexpoIOCIndiaQCMSeverstalBahrain SteelUS TotalNote - ‘Other’ category includes CRU estimate of exports from the following countries: Iran, Venezuela and CIS outside ofUkraine/Russia, in addition to Metinvest.

09Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018SUSTAINABLEFUTURELARGEST EMPLOYER IN POLTAVA REGIONCONTRACTORSEMPLOYED IN 2018STR ATEGIC REPORT9,0351,620STAFF EMPLOYEDIN 2018CORPOR ATE GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFerrexpo has a sustainablelong-term profile due toinvestment in its operationsand its strong customer base.This ensures the future viabilityof the business and continuedsupport for the communityand Ukraine.#1DRIVERS OFPELLET DEMANDEnvironmental– Government regulations in China require mills touse higher quality iron ore to lower emissions– Increasing CO2 costs in EuropeFerrexpo is a major user andpayer of state infrastructureEXPORTER OF IRON ORE PELLETS(railways, electricity, gas, port) IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNIONthrough the commodities cycle.LARGEST EXPORTER OF IRON OREPELLETS IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION2.0%OVERUS 700MFERREXPOACCOUNTEDFOR 2.0% OFUKRAINE’STOTAL GOODSEXPORTEDIN 2018.TOTAL TAXESPAID INUKRAINESINCE 2007.Productivity– Chinese government looking to move steelproduction up the value chain – this generallyrequires lower impurity ores– Steel capacity closures in China and Europeshould support steel prices in the medium termdriving demand for higher productivity rawmaterials– Pellets are a growth enabler for steel mills in caseof sinter or blast furnace bottlenecksNatural Decline of High Grade Ore Reservesand Rising Coking Coal Costs– Decline of high quality lump– Increasing supply of ultrafine ores– Depletion of low alumina and low phosphateores in Australia– Pellet use reduces coke requirementsRise of DRI Production in MENA, CIS and USA– DR pellets account for a third of the global pelletmarket, 25% since 2010

10Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018BUSINESS MODELWe create value for our stakeholders through the carefuldevelopment of our long-life iron ore deposit in Ukraine into a highquality iron ore product. Vital to our ongoing success are the peoplewho we employ, investment into our operations, our diversifiedglobal customer base and the support of our communities.OUR KEY RESOURCESWHAT WE DO– LONG-LIFE IRON ORE DEPOSITIN UKRAINE– WELL INVESTED PRODUCTIONPROCESS– SKILLED WORKFORCEORE EXTRACTIONDRILLINGBLASTINGEXCAVATIONHAULAGEORE TO CRUSHER– INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK(WITH ACCESS TO WATER/ELECTRICITY/GAS)– GLOBAL LOGISTICS CAPABILITY– CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS(WITH HIGH QUALITY ‘CRISIS-RESISTANT’ STEEL TION– FINANCIAL STABILITYOUR MARKETING POSITIONWe operate in a niche market with high barriers to entry. Oursignificant capital and operational investments enable the businessto be cash generative throughout the commodities cycle.

11Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018STR ATEGIC REPORTSUSTAINABLE STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPSRevenue generated(2017: US 1.2BN)CRUSHINGCOARSE CRUSHINGMEDIUM CRUSHINGSCREENINGFINE CRUSHINGDRY MAGNETIC SEPARATION– EMPLOYEESWages and salaries paid(2017: US 64M)– COMMUNITIESCharitable donations made(2017: US 28M)– GOVERNMENTTaxes and royalties paid(2017: US 33M)– INVESTORSBENEFICIATIONGRINDINGCLASSIFICATIONHYDRO SEPARATIONMAGNETIC SEPARATIONFLOTATION UPGRADETAILINGSDividends declared for thefinancial year– SUPPLIERSMoney spent on suppliers(2017: 16.5 US CENTS PER SHARE)(2017: US 717M)UNDERPINNED BY OUR VALUESOur key value is to ensure the safety of all our employees from thoseworking at our mines and processing facility in Ukraine, to those inour logistics and marketing operations located around the world.FINANCIAL STATEMENTSUS 1.3BNUS 86MUS 15MUS 73M23.1 per shareUS 844MCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCE– CUSTOMERS

12Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018PRODUCTION PROCESSAN EFFICIENT ANDWELL INVESTEDPRODUCTION PROCESSORE EXTRACTIONOpen cut, hard rock iron ore mining,using truck and shovel. Average Fecontent of 31%.BENEFICIATIONThe ore is ground to produceconcentrate which is then upgraded to67% Fe content. Waste material isremoved to the tailings storage area.THE FINE ORE PARTICLES ARE COLLECTEDTO PRODUCE 67% FE CONCENTRATE

13Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018The ore is crushed and screenedbefore entering one of twocrushing plants.CORPOR ATE GOVERNANCECRUSHINGSTR ATEGIC REPORT35%96% OF OUTPUT PARTICLESWITH 35% FE CONTENTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSPELLETISINGFour kiln grate units heat and formthe pellet feed into pellets ofaround 16mm.To view our animated videovisit: www.ferrexpo.com/media/video-library

14Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018PRODUCTION PROCESS CONTINUEDDRILLING AND BLASTINGEXCAVATIONHAULING TO RELOADING POINTMEDIUM CRUSHERSSCREENINGFINE CRUSHINGBENEFICIATIONGRINDING IN MAIN MILLSCLASSIFICATION IN SPIRAL CLASSIFICATORSFLOTATION UPGRADE AREAGRINDING IN VERTICAL MILLSWET MAGNETIC SEPARATIONBLENDING ORE WITH BENTONITE AND LIMESTONEBALLINGDRYING GREEN PELLETS IN TRAVELLING GRATE

15Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018STR ATEGIC REPORTTRANSPORTING TO CRUSHING FACILITYPRIMARY CRUSHERSSCREENINGDRY MAGNETIC SEPARATIONFINE CRUSHINGCLASSIFICATION IN HYDROCYCLONESWET MAGNETIC SEPARATIONMAGNETIC-HYDRAULIC SEPARATIONFLOTATIONTHICKENINGDEWATERING BY VACUUM FILTERSINDURATION IN ROTARY KILNTRANSPORTING BY RAILTRANSPORTING BY SEA VESSELSCORPOR ATE GOVERNANCELOADING TO DUMPCARSFINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENTHealth and SafetyWe deeply regret the fatality (2017: one) inOctober 2018 of Maxim Blinkov, acontractor at Ferrexpo Poltava Mining(“FPM”), who was fatally injured after fallingfrom a height in the processing plant. Ourgoal remains firmly focused on achievingzero fatalities or injuries. On behalf of theGroup, I would like to express our sincerecondolences to the family of our colleague.For more informationSee pages 29, 33, 42, 52Steve Lucas, ChairmanYear in SummaryI am pleased to report another strong yearfor iron ore pellet demand with premiumsrising 30% over 2017 levels. In general,the iron ore market in 2018 was notablefor its unusually low levels of volatility.Average iron ore prices for 58% Fe finesand the benchmark 62% Fe fines declinedmarginally compared to 2017, while theaverage price for 65% Fe fines increasedby 3%. Pellets, however, were an exceptionas steel mills looked to boost productivity.The steel industry experienced strongprofitability for most of 2018 due to highglobal demand. As such, mills looked toincrease their utilisation rates to maximiseoutput, while in China mills also soughtto decrease their emissions by reducingsintering and increasing use of highergrade direct charge material, such aspellet. Meanwhile, additional supplyof pellet was limited, resulting in pelletpremiums trading at ten-year highs.In the 4Q of 2018, steel marginscontracted reflecting increased globaltrade tensions and slower economicactivity, especially in China, while steeloutput remained at relatively high levels.As a result steel demand and profitmargins fell. To date in 1Q 2019, the steelindustry in China has seen a gradualrecovery in margins, while margins inEurope have been slower to improve.In 2018, commodity producers experiencedsignificantly higher oil prices with anaverage 31% increase in the price of Brentcompared to 2017. This drove an increasein Ferrexpo’s cost of pellet productionalong with other external factors, such aslocal PPI inflation of 18% while the HryvniaRECORD PROPOSEDDIVIDEND PAY-OUTRATIO 41%(2017: 25%)

17Ferrexpo plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2018Underlying EBITDA for 2018 was US 503million (2017: US 551 million). Profit forthe period was US 335 million (2017:US 394 million) while net cash flowsfrom operating activities were US 292million (2017: US 353 million).Finally, I am pleased to report, subject toshareholder approval, a record dividendfor the 2018 financial year of 23.1 US centsper share, a 40% increase comparedto 2017 (16.5 US cents per share).IndustryIt is with immense sadness that wesaw reports of the catastrophic breachof a tailings dam in Brazil in January2019. As would be expected, there arelikely to be far-reaching consequences,including increased scrutiny of theglobal mining industry. Ferrexposupports the establishment of anindependent organisation to monitor thesafety of all tailings dams on a globalbasis to ensure compliance with thehighest level of safety standards.Ferrexpo operates one tailings damcovering an area of 1,500 hectares. Thedam is constructed on flat topographyand the method of construction is theModified Centreline methodology. Thedam is inspected twice a year by theUkrainian mining regulator. Followingthe breach in Brazil in January,Ferrexpo appointed Knight Piesold, aninternational independent consultant,to further review and verify the dam’sdesign, construction and monitoring.For further information on the marketenvironment see Operational ReviewSee page 29RECORD PELLETPREMIUMRECEIVED IN 2018Pellets are one of the most efficient sourcesof iron in the steelmaking process. Thishas underpinned demand and profitabilityfor established pellet producers for manyyears. As in the past, Ferrexpo continue tobelieve long-term demand for pellet will besupported by requirements for iron ore ofa higher grade and in a form that reducesenergy inputs, slag volumes and airemissions in the steelmaking process whileimproving the quality of the final product.This is likely to be further supported by thegeneral decline of naturally occurring highquality iron ore fines and lump as well asongoing consolidation in the steel industryin China and Europe, which underpinsa general increase in utilisation rates.23.1 For these reasons Ferrexpo expectspellets to continue to receive a healthyprice premium relative to other types ofiron ore which will underpin the Group’sprofitability. The size of the premium,however, is likely to vary in line with steelmill profitability reflecting the cyclical natureof the industry. Given the limited availabilityof seaborne pellets, however, supplydisruptions can also influence pricinguntil the market is able to adjust. TheGroup expects reduced supply of globalpellet exports in 2019 and 2020 followingthe major supply disruptions in Brazil.With the best steel mills in the worldamongst Ferrexpo’s customers,the Company is well positioned tobenefit from increasing demand.For further information on the marketenvironment see Market ReviewSee pages 20-23TOTA L RECOMMENDED DIVIDENDPER SH A RE 40% (2017: 16.5 US CENTS)REDUCTION IN NE T DEBT60%SINCE 1 JANUARY 2016 TO US 339MFor further informationSee pages 24-28FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFerrexpo further strengthened itsbalance sheet during 2018 and net debtreduced for the third consecutive yearto US 339 million as of 31 December2018 (31 December 2017: US 394million). The Group has strong creditmetrics with net debt to underlyingEBITDA comfortably below 1 times.Iron Ore Pellet MarketIron ore pellets are a niche market segment,representing 8% of the total iron ore exportmarket, principally due to high barriersto entry, including the requirement tobeneficiate and upgrade the iron ore andthe high capital intensity to establish a fullmine-to-port pelletising operation whichis typically in excess of US 300 per tonneof output for a greenfield operation.CORPOR ATE GOVERNANCEappreciated marginally against the USDollar adding further to cost pressures.Ferrexpo remains a low cost producerrelative to the majority of its peers.STR ATEGIC REPORTRECORD DIVIDEND PROPOSED,INCREASED CAPITAL INVESTMENTAAND REDUCTION IN NET DEBT

18Ferrexpo plcCHAIRMAN’S STATEMENTCapital AllocationThe Group’s capital allocation strategyis to maintain an appropriate balancebetween investment grade credit metrics,attractive dividends and investmentin growth opportunities. This strategyhas been designed to reduce the risksinherent in operating in an emergingmarket while selling our product ina volatile commodities market.Balance SheetDuring the year, Ferrexpo’s credit ratingwas upgraded by Moody’s, Fitch andS&P. Ferrexpo’s credit rating is restrictedby Ukraine’ country ceiling and theGroup’s rating should improve in linewith positive developments in Ukraine.Ferrexpo aims to maintain prudent leveragemetrics with net debt to underlying EBITDAas of 31 December 2018 at 0.67 times. TheGroup’s priority since 2015 has been toreduce debt and it has repaid over US 500million of gross debt since 1 January 2016.As such, the Board feels it is appropriateto readjust the use of available free cashflows from primarily deleveraging to includea more balanced focus on dividends andinvestment projects whilst ensuring theGroup’s credit metrics remain strong.DividendsThe Board is pleased to announce a specialdividend of 6.6 US cents per share (2017final special dividend: 6.6 US cents pershare) and propose a final ordinary dividendper share of 6.6 US cents per share (2017final ordinary dividend: 3.3 US centsper share). If the final ordinary dividendis approved by shareholders, the totaldividend declared for the 2018 financialyear will be a record 23.1 US cents pershare, equivalent to US 138 million (2017total dividend declared: 16.5 US cents pershare or US 97 million). This reflects thelong-term structural factors underpinningpellet demand and the continuedsolid cash generation of the Group.Capital Investment ACapital investmentA increased by 31% in2018 to US 135 million (2017: US 103million). This included the Group’sConcentrate Expansion Programme 1(“CEP1”) which will enable the Groupto increase pellet output by 13% orapproximately 1.5 million tonnes to 12million tonnes per annum in 2021.Annual Report & Accounts 2018CONTINUEDThis portfolio of projects has the potentialto increase pellet production volumesup to 20 million tonnes per annum.In total, capex A for 2019 is expectedto be in a range of US 220 millionto US 300 million, subjectto realised pricing.Ferrexpo’s investment strategy remainsto identify opportunities which arevalue accretive to the Group andthat can reduce operating risk.Social ResponsibilityFor the year ended 2018, it is expectedthat Ferrexpo’s pellet exports will beapproximately 2%1 of Ukraine’s total exportrevenue. The Board believes it is essentialto the Group’s long-term viability to ensurea positive contribution to the society inwhich it operates, aiding the long-termdevelopment of Ukraine and creating astable operating environment for the Group.In order to maintain its social licenceto operate, Ferrexpo provides financialsupport to a broad array of socialprogrammes and, in 2018, it investedapproximately 1% of total Grouprevenue in these programmes.Independent Review of CharitableDonations to Blooming LandAs part of the Group’s Corporate SocialResponsibility (“CSR”) programme inUkraine, since 2013 the Group hasdonated to a charity called Blooming Landwhich operates through three sub-funds(the “Charity”). The Charity’s activitiesinclude diabetes prevention, eyesight careand support for the elderly. In the yearended 31 December 2018, the Groupmade contributions to the Charity ofUS 9.5 million (2017: US 24.0 million).The Board suspended donations to theCharity in May 2018 following continueddelays in receiving additional information,which the Charity regarded as beyondthe normal requirements expected of aUkrainian charity, and while it awaited theoutcome of a review into the Charity’s2017 audited financial statements.Following the publication of the Group’sInterim Results in August 2018, anumber of irregularities were reported tothe Board including inconsistencies incopy bank statements provided by theCharity to Deloitte, the Group’s auditor.Explanations were received fromthe Charity which were consideredincomplete and unsatisfactory andcould not be independently verified. Asa result in February 2019, the Boardestablished the Independent ReviewCommittee (“IRC”) to look into this andother matters which included seekingto determine that Ferrex

LOST TIME INJURY FREQUENCY RATE1.18 x Group LTIFR in line with 2017 (2017: 1.17x) 1 fatality during the year (2017: 1) TOTAL PRODUCTION10.6 MT 94% of production of 65% Fe pellets (2017: total production 10.4Mt, 95% of production of 65% Fe pellets) REVENUE US 1.3BN (2017: US 1.2BN) UNDERLYING EBITDAA US 503 (2017: US 551M) PROFIT FOR THE YEAR US .