Intrepid Announces 2012 First Quarter Financial Results and Second Quarter Outlook

02.05.2012  |  Business Wire

Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE:IPI) announced 2012 first quarter financial
results today, with quarterly net income of $20.6 million and $0.27 of
earnings per diluted share. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA¹) for the
first quarter of 2012 were $44.7 million.

'I am very pleased with our first quarter results. Intrepid was able to
achieve solid potash sales despite hesitancy by dealers during the
quarter. Because of our strong customer relationships, diverse markets,
and the hard work of our sales team, we were able to capitalize on the
sales opportunities available in our core geography. Intrepid is well
positioned to meet the demands of our end markets, while earning the
best margin on each ton of product we sell,? said Bob Jornayvaz,
Intrepid's Executive Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Jornayvaz continued, 'The approval of the HB Solar Solution mine
during the first quarter of 2012 by the Bureau of Land Management was a
significant milestone for Intrepid. This project is truly a game changer
for the company. HB represents an important step on our path of growing
our production, increasing our flexibility, and improving the margin
opportunity on each ton we sell. Construction of the HB Solar Solution
mine has begun and we anticipate first production in the fall of 2013.
When you combine the start of construction of the HB Solar Solution
mine, the nearing of completion of our Langbeinite Recovery Improvement
Project and the initiation of our North compaction project, it is clear
that Intrepid is taking concrete steps to maximize stockholder value and
provide the products that our customers demand.?

First Quarter 2012 Highlights:

• 
  Capital investment in the first quarter of 2012 totaled approximately
  $30.8 million.
  
• 
  As of March 31, 2012, Intrepid had $174.7 million of cash, cash
  equivalents, and investments; no outstanding debt; and $250.0 million
  available under the company's unsecured revolving credit facility.
  
• 
  The average net realized sales price² for potash was $477
  per ton ($526 per metric tonne) in the first quarter of 2012, compared
  to $442 per ton ($487 per metric tonne) in the first quarter of 2011.
  
• 
  The average net realized sales price for Trio ^? was $302 per
  ton ($333 per metric tonne) in the first quarter of 2012. This
  compares to $204 per ton ($225 per metric tonne) in the first quarter
  of 2011.
  
• 
  Potash sales in the first quarter of 2012 were 203,000 tons as
  compared to 196,000 tons in the same period of 2011.
  
• 
  Potash production in the first quarter of 2012 was 218,000 tons
  compared to 234,000 tons in the same period a year ago.
  
• 
  Cash operating cost of goods sold, net of by-product credits³,
  for potash was $195 per ton in the first quarter of 2012. This
  compares to $166 per ton in the first quarter of 2011.
  
• 
  Sales of langbeinite, which we market as Trio ^?, were 28,000
  tons in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 52,000 tons in the same
  period a year ago.
  
• 
  Langbeinite production was 30,000 tons in the first quarter of 2012
  compared to 31,000 tons in the same period a year ago.
  
• 
  Cash operating cost of goods sold for Trio ^? was $221 per
  ton in the first quarter of 2012. This compares to $160 per ton in the
  first quarter of 2011.
  

Market Conditions

Crop prices have remained supportive of farmer economics through the
spring season, and we believe that current prices provide a strong
incentive to the farmer to apply nutrients to maximize the return on
their crop investment. Further, based on the most recent estimates for
larger corn acreage in 2012 compared to 2011, we believe that domestic
farmers will apply near normal volumes of potash in the spring and fall
application seasons, essentially in line with historical trends.

Dealers have shown limited willingness to take inventory price risk on
potash as they have been drawing down their inventory levels to meet
farmer demand in order to end the spring season with minimal potash
inventory. We have observed that dealers increased their storage
capacity over the last few years while reducing their appetite for risk.

The diversity of our oil and gas and feed markets contributed positively
to our results in the quarter and we see continued strength in these
markets.

Capital Investment

In the first quarter of 2012, Intrepid invested approximately $30.8
million making significant progress on the initiation and completion of
a number of major capital projects.

During the quarter, we continued the commissioning of the Dense Media
Separation ('DMS') component of our Langbeinite Recovery Improvement
Project ('LRIP') and made substantial progress towards completion of the
granulation component of the LRIP. We expect the DMS component of the
LRIP to be fully in service by the end of the second quarter.

We completed the expansion of the existing well-field cavern system in
Moab during the quarter, and are actively engaged in developing a new
cavern system through the drilling of two additional horizontal wells.
Further, we recently received the necessary permits for our North
compaction project and we commenced construction activities during the
second quarter of 2012.

As previously announced in a press release dated April 26, 2012,
Intrepid received a favorable Record of Decision ('ROD?) from the Bureau
of Land Management in late March 2012. Upon receipt of the ROD, and with
BLM approval, we immediately began construction. The total expected
investment for the project is between $200 and $230 million. As of March
31, 2012, we had invested $35.3 million in engineering, design,
permitting, and equipment for this project. We expect first production
from the HB Solar Solution mine to begin in the fall of 2013 after the
summer evaporation season, with ramp up of production expected in 2014,
and production levels increasing into 2015, assuming the benefit of an
average annual evaporation cycle applied to full evaporation ponds.

We continue to execute on our strategy to increase granulation capacity
for both potash and Trio ^?. This activity includes the
completed Moab and Wendover compactor projects, the granulation plant
associated with the LRIP, and the commencement of activity related to
the North compaction project. The additional granulation capacity
described below will allow us to right-size our production of granular
and standard products to enhance our sales opportunities and to capture
the best margin for both potash and Trio ^?:

• 
  The North compaction project is designed to increase the capacity of
  the North plant to coincide with the new production from the HB Solar
  Solution mine and the expansion of mining and milling capacity at the
  West mine. Total capital investment for the project is expected to be
  approximately $95 to $100 million, of which approximately $10.6
  million has been invested to date.
  
• 
  The granulation component of the LRIP will provide us with the
  capacity to produce granular product from our standard-sized Trio ^?
  product as needed to satisfy the growing market demand. Construction
  of the granulation component of the LRIP reached substantial
  completion in April 2012, and initial commissioning activities on the
  granulation plant have begun.
  

Total capital investment in 2012 is estimated to be between $225 and
$300 million. We expect our 2012 capital programs to be funded out of
cash flow and existing cash and investments.

First Quarter Results and Recent Performance

Income before income taxes for the first quarter of 2012 was $33.2
million compared to $47.1 million in the first quarter of 2011. The
first quarter of 2011 included $12.5 million of income from an insurance
settlement for a property loss. Adjusted net income⁴ for the
first quarter of 2012 was $20.7 million compared to adjusted net income
of $20.9 million in the same period last year. Cash flows from operating
activities were $37.7 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to
$28.6 million for the first quarter of 2011.

Potash

During the first quarter of 2012, Intrepid produced 218,000 tons of
potash and sold 203,000 tons of potash compared to 234,000 tons produced
and 196,000 tons sold in the first quarter of 2011. In the front half of
the first quarter of 2012, dealers took a guarded approach to purchasing
potash. As the quarter progressed, favorable weather conditions in some
of our markets, and the approaching spring season, provided the driver
for improved sales as farmers began field activity. Production results
were positively impacted during the first quarter by the solid
performance from our Moab, Wendover, and West mines. Production at our
East facility was impacted by maintenance and mechanical issues during
the ongoing implementation of new techniques and technologies to process
our complex ore body along with the integration of new processes at the
plant. The result from these changes was reduced operating time and
availability of the East plant and subsequently caused lower recovery of
potash from this facility.

Langbeinite - Trio ^?

Demand for Trio ^? remained strong during the first quarter of
2012. We finished the quarter with very low inventory levels for both
granular and standard-sized Trio ^? product, continuing a trend
that we have seen over the last few quarters. Demand for Trio ^?
continues to exceed supply and we expect that Trio ^? sales
demand will at least meet or exceed our production capabilities for the
next few quarters. We anticipate increased Trio ^? production
once the DMS component of the LRIP is fully commissioned during the
second quarter of 2012, and we expect to begin realizing the benefits of
increased Trio ^? production in the third quarter of 2012.

For the 28,000 tons of Trio ^? sold in the first quarter of
2012, we obtained an average net realized sales price of $302 per ton,
which was $15 per ton higher than in the fourth quarter of 2011. This
compares to 52,000 tons of Trio ^? sold at an average net
realized sales price of $204 per ton in the prior year's first quarter.
The sequential improvement in Trio ^? pricing was a result of
the realization of the price increase implemented in January 2012 that
benefited our domestic and export realizations. The decrease in tons
sold during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period a year
earlier was principally a result of lower existing inventory levels
available for sale in 2012 than a year ago.

Second Quarter and Full Year 2012 Outlook

Our outlook for the second quarter and full year 2012 is presented below
and it takes into account some of the unpredictability we see in the
agricultural markets at the current time. This market demand variability
is somewhat similar to the behavior demonstrated by dealers in the
spring of 2010. This information is our best estimate at the current
time and will be impacted by market conditions, results of operations
and production results. Please note that outlook information for capital
investment is only provided on a full year basis.

Intrepid routinely posts information about Intrepid on its website under
the Investor Relations tab. Intrepid's website address is www.intrepidpotash.com.

Unless expressly stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires,
references to 'tons? in this press release refer to short tons.One
short ton equals 2,000 pounds.One metric tonne, which many of
our international competitors use, equals 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.68
pounds.

Adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial
measures. We include reconciliations of these measures to the most
directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures in the tables at the end of this
release.Average net realized sales price, cash operating cost of
goods sold, and cash operating cost of goods sold net of by-product
credits are operating measures.We include definitions of these
measures in the footnotes to this release.

Conference Call Information

The conference call to discuss first quarter 2012 results is scheduled
for Thursday, May 3, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. MDT (10:00 a.m. EDT). The call
participation number is (800) 319-4610. A recording of the conference
call will be available two hours after the completion of the call at
(800) 319-6413. International participants can dial (412) 858-4600 to
take part in the conference call and can access a replay of the call at
(412) 317-0088. The replay of the call will require the input of the
conference identification number 763324. The call will also be streamed
on the Intrepid website, www.intrepidpotash.com.
In addition, the press release announcing first quarter 2012 results
will be available on the Intrepid website before the call under
'Investor Relations - Press Releases.' An audio recording of the
conference call will be available at www.intrepidpotash.com
through June 2, 2012.

¹ Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure not calculated in
accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(non-GAAP). See the non-GAAP reconciliations set forth later in this
press release for additional information.

² Average net realized sales price is an operating
performance measure calculated as gross sales less freight costs,
divided by the number of tons sold in the period.

³ Cash operating cost of goods sold and cash operating cost
of goods sold, net of by-product credits, are operating performance
measures defined as total cost of goods sold excluding royalties,
depreciation, depletion, and amortization (and, if applicable, excluding
by-product credits).

* * * * * * * * * * *

Certain statements in this press release, and other written or oral
statements made by or on behalf of us, are 'forward-looking statements?
within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding
future events and developments and our future performance, as well as
management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections
relating to the future, including statements regarding our financial
outlook, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these
laws. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, there
can be no assurance that the expectations will be realized. These
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown
risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control that could
cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from such
statements. These risks and uncertainties include:

• 
  changes in the price of potash or Trio ^?;
  
• 
  operational difficulties at our facilities that limit production of
  our products;
  
• 
  operational variances due to geological or geotechnical variances;
  
• 
  interruptions in rail or truck transportation services;
  
• 
  the ability to hire and retain qualified employees and contractors;
  
• 
  changes in demand or supply for potash or Trio ^?/langbeinite;
  
• 
  changes in our reserve estimates;
  
• 
  the costs and our ability to successfully construct, commission and
  execute the projects that are essential to our business strategy,
  including the development of our HB Solar Solution mine, the further
  development of our langbeinite recovery and granulation assets, and
  our North granulation plant;
  
• 
  adverse weather events at our facilities, including events affecting
  net evaporation rates at our solar solution mining operations;
  
• 
  changes in the prices of raw materials, including the price of
  chemicals, natural gas and power;
  
• 
  fluctuations in the costs of transporting our products to customers;
  
• 
  changes in labor costs and availability of labor with mining or
  construction expertise;
  
• 
  the impact of federal, state or local government regulations,
  including environmental and mining regulations, and the enforcement of
  those regulations;
  
• 
  obtaining permitting from applicable federal and state agencies
  related to the construction and operation of assets;
  
• 
  competition in the fertilizer industry;
  
• 
  declines in U.S. or world agricultural production;
  
• 
  declines in use by the oil and gas industry of potash products in
  drilling operations;
  
• 
  changes in economic conditions;
  
• 
  our ability to comply with covenants inherent in our current and
  future debt obligations to avoid defaulting under those agreements;
  
• 
  disruption in credit markets;
  
• 
  our ability to secure additional federal and state potash leases to
  expand our existing mining operations;
  
• 
  governmental policy changes that may adversely affect our business; and
  
• 
  the other risks and uncertainties detailed in our periodic filings
  with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  

The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as
of the date of this press release, May 2, 2012. Subsequent events and
developments may cause our forward-looking statements to change, and we
will not undertake efforts to update or revise publicly any
forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events
or circumstances after this date.

• 
  On a per ton basis, by-product credits were $9 and $6 for the first
  quarter of 2012, and 2011, respectively. By-product credits were $1.8
  million and $1.3 million ?for the first quarter of 2012, and 2011,
  respectively.
  

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

UNAUDITED NON-GAAP ADJUSTED NET
INCOME RECONCILIATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
2012 AND 2011

(In thousands)

Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated
as net income adjusted for significant non-cash and infrequent items.
Examples of non-cash and infrequent items include insurance settlements
from property and business losses, a portion of the income associated
with the refundable employment-related credits from the State of New
Mexico, non-cash unrealized gains or losses associated with derivative
adjustments, costs associated with abnormal production and other
infrequent items. Management believes adjusted net income provides
useful additional information to investors for analysis of Intrepid's
fundamental business on a recurring basis. In addition, management
believes that the concept of adjusted net income is widely used by
professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison,
and investment recommendations of companies in the potash mining
industry, and many investors use the published research of industry
research analysts in making investment decisions.

Adjusted net income should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for net income, income from operations, cash provided by
operating activities or other income, profitability, cash flow, or
liquidity measures prepared under U.S. GAAP. Because adjusted net income
excludes some, but not all items that affect net income and may vary
among companies, the adjusted net income amounts presented may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. The
following is a reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income,
which is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

UNAUDITED NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA
RECONCILIATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012
AND 2011

(In thousands)

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
(or adjusted EBITDA) is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated
as net income adjusted for the add back of interest expense (including
derivatives), income tax expense, depreciation, depletion, and
amortization, and asset retirement obligation accretion. Management
believes adjusted EBITDA assists investors and analysts in comparing our
performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding
items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating
performance. We use adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the effectiveness of our
business strategies. In addition, adjusted EBITDA is widely used by
professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison,
and investment recommendations of companies in the potash mining
industry, and many investors use the published research of industry
research analysts in making investment decisions.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute
for performance or liquidity measures calculated in accordance with U.S.
GAAP. Because adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all items that
affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities and may
vary among companies, the adjusted EBITDA amounts presented may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. The
following is a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income, which is
the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure: