20 August 2015 ASX: WSA News Release

WESTERN AREAS REPORTS INCREASED FULL YEAR PROFITS AND DIVIDENDS

Western Areas Ltd (ASX:WSA, "Western Areas" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a strong financial result for the year ended 30 June 2015 (FY15), with increased profitability and shareholder dividends.
Net Profit after Tax (NPAT) was A$35.0m for FY15, representing an increase of 37.5% or A$9.6m over the prior year (FY14). This is an exceptional result despite the challenging nickel price environment where the Company's realised nickel price fell 4% or A$0.33/lb compared to the previous year.
Operating cashflow for the year was A$148.5m, up A$31.4m on FY14 demonstrating the significant inroads made with operational cost savings and a reduction in interest expense from the repayment of convertible bonds at the beginning of FY15. Net cash increased A$60.0m to A$70.4m at 30 June 2015, putting the Company's balance sheet in its strongest ever position.
A fully franked 4 cent per share final dividend has been declared, which brings total fully franked dividends for the year to 7 cents (FY14: 5 cents), meeting the Company's commitment to increase dividends responsibly. The payout ratio for FY15 is 46.6% of NPAT and the directors believe this strikes the right balance in recognising a strong FY15, whilst also balancing the current nickel price environment and investment for growth into FY16.

Highlights:

 Sales revenue of A$312.7m (A$320.1m)

 Reported NPAT of A$35.0m (A$25.5m)

 Operating cashflow of A$148.5m (A$117.0m)

 Operating cashflow (after all capital expenditure) of A$76.7m (A$63.7m)

 Net cash of A$70.4m (A$10.3m)

 Unit cash costs of nickel in concentrate A$2.31/lb (A$2.50/lb)

(Comparisons in brackets refer to FY14)

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Western Areas Managing Director, Dan Lougher welcomed the considerable improvement in earnings for FY15 and the increased dividend payment.
"This year has been extremely successful on a number of fronts for Western Areas with profit improving year on year, an LTI rate of zero, guidance fully delivered, significantly reduced cost base, repayment of debt, increased cashflow and ultimately a lift in shareholder dividends," said Mr Lougher.
"Our reported NPAT of A$35.0m is up 37.5% on FY14 despite a lower realised nickel price, which significantly impacted our revenue and potential NPAT. Western Areas has experienced these nickel swings before, and with the nickel price base being set low for FY16, any nickel price increase from the spot price today would result in a positive impact to NPAT as in previous years."
"Whilst analyst and consensus pricing for nickel is seen to be increasing in FY16 and beyond, shareholders should take comfort in the underlying business operating efficiently and the Company remains profitable into the new financial year."
"The Company's cashflow performance was exceptional for FY15, with operating cashflow of A$148.5m driven by a reduction in absolute operating costs and a reduction in interest costs following the repayment of convertible bond debt in July 2014. It is this cashflow which has our balance sheet in the strongest position ever, having gone debt free in July 2015."
"Off the back of profitable operations and strong cashflow, the Board is pleased to meet its objective of increasing dividend returns to shareholders by announcing an increase in the final dividend to 4 cents per share, fully franked. This brings our payout ratio to slightly below 50%, and total dividends for the year to 7 cents, up 40% over FY14. Including payment of the final dividend, the Company has now paid out cumulative dividends of A$107.4m."
"We are of the firm belief that the consistent production outcomes and the delivery of these results are not achievable without safe operations. To this end, the Board would like to acknowledge the operational team whose safety reporting metrics continue to improve, with a highlight being ZERO lost time injuries for the year."
"We look forward to FY16 as we grow the business and drive further efficiencies within the Company. We will settle the acquisition of the Cosmos Nickel Complex and commence exploration, undertake the Mill Recovery Enhancement Project, increase our overall investment in exploration and look to reap the benefits when the anticipated nickel price rise occurs," said Mr Lougher.

Nickel Price Impact and Quotational Pricing Adjustments

Nickel price volatility during delivery periods can lead to a material impact on the Company's revenue and in turn NPAT. This volatility is typically reflected through quotational pricing (QP) adjustments which impact revenue recognition on nickel sales. In this regard, the average spot nickel price received on sales for any given month is ultimately determined by a future price, being between one and three months following delivery. The nickel price trended downwards throughout FY15 and beyond year-end, accordingly QP adjustments resonated through a reduced realised nickel price compared to FY14. The realised nickel price fall from A$8.11/lb in the first half of FY15 to A$7.63/lb in the second half has resulted in a negative QP adjustment to revenue of A$10.7m in the second half. Together with the
$17.0m revenue impact as reported in the first half, total QP adjustments for FY15 were negative A$27.7m Conversely, a rising nickel price will see positive impacts to QP, revenue and NPAT as was the case in FY14 where a positive movement of A$26.7m on revenue was recorded . A steady nickel price rise in FY16 would see positive QP adjustments.

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A presentation providing additional detail on the FY15 results has also been released to the market today and teleconference details were announced on 18 August 2015, and are again attached to this announcement.

FY16 Guidance

Consistent with past practice to coincide with the reporting of full year results, the Company is pleased to provide its guidance for FY16 as follows:

*Assumes project is fully completed in FY16

In formulating FY16 guidance, the Company has maintained an aggressive approach to cost management with the range being A$2.30/lb to A$2.50/lb, which compares favourably to FY14 original guidance of A$2.70/lb to A$2.80/lb. This also allows for some subtle shifts in costs from capital to operating as we reduce the sustaining capital requirements and move to paste fill at Flying Fox.
This year, capital expenditure has been broken down in greater detail as the Company invests in growth capital projects such as the Mill Enhancement and Cosmos exploration and study work.
Sustaining capital reduces in FY16, mainly at Flying Fox as the mine has completed the bulk of its capital development. In this regard, the next five years will see sustaining capital at Flying Fox and Spotted Quoll continue to fall. For example, included in the sustaining capital in FY16 is the Spotted Quoll return airway ventilation build, which is a one-off cost of A$6.7m.
The Company also maintains flexibility to reduce its discretionary capital and exploration spend. As an example, should it be required, mine development can be curtailed given that development at both mines is close to two years ahead of mining reserves. The Company successfully curtailed mine development at Flying Fox during FY14 for around six months when the AUD was trading at parity and above to the USD.
Mine and mill production guidance is broadly consistent with FY15. The Company has the flexibility to increase production. However, given the short term nickel price, the optimal mining rate to maximise margin has been incorporated into our FY16 plans.
-ENDS-

THIS NEW S RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSW IRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

For further details, please contact:

Dan Lougher David Southam

Managing Director - Western Areas Ltd Executive Director - Western Areas Ltd

Telephone +61 8 9334 7777 Telephone +61 8 9334 7777

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Shane Murphy

FTI Consulting

Telephone +61 8 9485 8888 / 0420 945 291

Email: [email protected] Or visit: www.westernareas.com.au

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT:

This release contains certain forward-looking statements including nickel production targets. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "pla n", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", and "guidance", or other similar words and may include, without limitation, statements regarding pl ans, strategies and objectives of management, anticipated production and expected costs.

Examples of forward looking statements used in this report include: "shareholders should take comfort in the underlying business operating efficiently and the Company remains profitable into the new financial year " and "We will settle the acquisition of the Cosmos Nickel Complex and commence exploration, undertake the Mill Recovery Enhancement Project, increase our overall investment in exploration and look to reap the benefits when the anticipated nickel price rise occurs"" and "A steady nickel price rise in FY16 would see positive QP adjustments".

These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's ability to control or predict whi ch could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forw ard-looking statements.

This announcement does not include reference to all available information on the Company and should not be used in isolation as a basis to invest in Western Areas. Any potential investors should refer to Western Area's other publi c releases and statutory reports and consult their professional advisers before considering investing in the Company.

For Purposes of Clause 3.4 (e) in Canadian instrument 43-101, the Company warrants that Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

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18 August 2015 ASX: WSA News Release

WESTERN AREAS CONFERENCE CALL - FULL YEAR RESULTS TO 30 JUNE 2015

Western Areas Ltd (ASX:WSA, "Company") is pleased to advise that Dan Lougher (Managing

Director) and David Southam (Executive Director) will host a conference call on Thursday,

20 August to discuss the Company's Full Year results for the period ended 30 June 2015 at the times listed below. The Full Year results announcement (Appendix 4E) and accompanying presentation will be available prior to market open on 20 August 2015.

Conference Call Details:

Date: Thursday, 20 August 2015

Time: 10:00am AEST / Sydney time (8:00am AWST / Perth time)

For details for other time zones, or to create a calendar entry, please visit http://goo.gl/eYc3I3

Participants are requested to dial in 5‐10 minutes prior to the start time.

Conference ID: 8393 471

Dial-in Details:

Domestic participants can dial either of the numbers below to join the call. They will need to quote the ID provided above.

Toll‐free: 1800 123 296; or Toll: +61 2 8038 5221

International toll‐free numbers are also available for each country listed below. For countries

not identified below, the Australian Toll number listed above can be dialled.

Internet Live Stream and Archive Facility:

A live stream of the call will be available at: http://www.openbriefing.com/OB/1915.aspx

Please note that participants listening via the live stream will not be able to ask questions during the call. An archived copy of the call will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call.

-ENDS-

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

For further details, please contact:

Dan Lougher David Southam

Managing Director - Western Areas Ltd Executive Director - Western Areas Ltd

Telephone +61 8 9334 7777 Telephone +61 8 9334 7777

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Shane Murphy

FTI Consulting

Telephone +61 8 9485 8888 / 0420 945 291

Email: [email protected] Or visit: www.westernareas.com.au

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.