Intrepid Announces 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE:IPI) announced 2011 fourth quarter and full
year financial results today, with quarterly net income of $24.9 million
and $0.33 of earnings per diluted share and annual net income of $109.4
million and $1.45 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA¹) for
the fourth quarter of 2011 were $45.2 million. For the year, adjusted
EBITDA was $211.9 million with a year-over-year improvement in cash
operating costs of good sold.

'The tangible steps we are taking to increase our production, to lower
per ton costs and to grow the company are being realized with each
successive quarter. We are succeeding as an organization through our
project execution, delivering on capital projects and working diligently
to exceed our project performance expectations. Our fourth quarter
results were strong which helped to round out an extremely profitable
year and are a product of our successful investments in the business and
our people. As we prepare to enter the spring application season, we are
optimistic, based on favorable crop economics and planting intentions,
that domestic demand for potash should be quite healthy and that we will
continue to build upon the accomplishments of this past year,? said Bob
Jornayvaz, Intrepid's Executive Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Jornayvaz continued, 'in the fourth quarter, we achieved several
important milestones in our long-term capital investment plan. We
completed construction and started commissioning of the Dense Media
Separation ('DMS?) component of our new langbeinite plant in Carlsbad,
New Mexico, a technically complex project that is already demonstrating
that it will significantly increase our production of Trio ^?.
We also moved forward our granulation plans with significant progress
made on the new granulation component of the langbeinite production
plant and the completion of construction of our new compactor at our
Wendover facility. The execution of these two large projects exhibits
the core technical ability and competency we have developed to design,
build, and complete complex capital projects that increase the value of
our Company. Our confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the
domestic potassium nutrient market remains unwavering and we will
continue to invest in and efficiently execute on capital projects
designed to increase production of incrementally lower cost tons while
increasing our marketing flexibility.?

Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights:

• 
  Capital investment in the fourth quarter of 2011 totaled approximately
  $38.1 million.
  

• 
  As of December 31, 2011, Intrepid had $176.8 million of cash, cash
  equivalents, and investments; no outstanding debt; and $250.0 million
  available under the company's unsecured revolving credit facility.
  

• 
  Average net realized sales price² for potash was $497 per
  ton ($548 per metric tonne) in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to
  $386 per ton ($425 per metric tonne) in the fourth quarter of 2010 and
  $489 per ton ($539 per metric tonne) in the third quarter of 2011.
  

• 
  Average net realized sales price for Trio ^? was $287 per ton
  ($316 per metric tonne) in the fourth quarter of 2011. This compares
  to $222 per ton ($245 per metric tonne) in the fourth quarter of 2010
  and $251 per ton ($277 per metric tonne) in the third quarter of 2011.
  

• 
  Potash sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 were 183,000 tons as
  compared to 216,000 tons in the same period of 2010.
  

• 
  Sales of langbeinite, which we market as Trio ^?, were 28,000
  tons in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 27,000 tons in the same
  period a year ago.
  

• 
  Potash production in the fourth quarter of 2011 was 197,000 tons
  compared to 224,000 tons in the same period a year ago.
  

• 
  Langbeinite production was 31,000 tons in both the fourth quarter of
  2011 and 2010.
  

• 
  Cash operating cost of goods sold, net of by-product credits³,
  for potash was $194 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2011. This
  compares to $166 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2010.
  

• 
  Average gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2011 for the sale of
  potash was $230 per ton or 46 percent, compared to $169 per ton or 44
  percent in the fourth quarter of 2010. Average gross margin for the
  sale of Trio ^? was $42 per ton or 15 percent compared to $38
  per ton or 17 percent in the same period of 2010.
  

Mr. Jornayvaz stated further 'despite the demand deferral that we saw in
the fourth quarter, our sales team was able to capitalize on the
available opportunities because of our strong customer relationships.
Our capital investment plans remain ambitious and we are confident,
based on our track record, that we will continue to efficiently execute
on these projects and thereby enhance our capacity to grow our
production and to serve our customers. We firmly believe that, as spring
moves closer, the farmer will not be asking if he should apply potash
but how much to maximize his yield and take advantage of strong
commodity prices and low grain inventories.?

Market Conditions

Crop prices for corn, soybeans, and other commodities remain favorable,
providing farmers the opportunity to obtain significant margins and
returns on their crop nutrient investments. Strong commodity prices are
translating into higher estimates for corn acreage in 2012 compared to
2011, which, in turn, is expected to generate greater nutrient demand.
In recent weeks, we have seen increased interest as the spring
application season approaches.

We continue to see good demand in the industrial potash market. This is
primarily a result of the increased rig count in the oil and gas
drilling markets we serve as well as the continued expansion of drilling
and fracture stimulation work in profitable oil, natural gas and
liquids-rich plays.

Capital Investment

Total capital investment for the full year 2011 was $136.3 million.
During the fourth quarter, Intrepid continued to make significant
progress on a number of major capital projects, investing approximately
$38.1 million. The fourth quarter saw a high level of investment with
the substantial completion of construction of the Wendover compactor and
the DMS plant that is part of the LRIP. The total investment for the
LRIP remains at approximately $85 to $90 million, with approximately
$71.7 million invested as of the end of 2011.

Looking forward, total capital investment in 2012 is estimated to be
between $225 and $300 million, including the completion of construction
of the LRIP granulation plant, and the anticipated start of construction
for both the HB Solar Solution mine and the new North compaction
facilities. We also are planning to drill new solution mining wells in
Moab to expand the existing underground horizontal cavern system. We
plan to focus approximately $45 to $50 million of the total 2012 capital
investment on sustaining capital and asset replacements and
approximately $180 to $250 million on increasing productive and
granulation capacity. The actual level of investment in 2012 will be
impacted ultimately by the timing of permitting, deliveries of equipment
and construction. We expect our 2012 capital programs to be funded out
of cash flow and existing cash and investments.

The Environmental Impact Statement ('EIS?) review being conducted by the
Bureau of Land Management for our proposed HB Solar Solution mine
continues to progress. The current schedule for receiving the Record of
Decision on the project remains in the first quarter of 2012. The Notice
of Availability of the Final EIS was published in the Federal Register
on February 3, 2012. The anticipated capital investment for the project
is $200 to $230 million. Intrepid has invested $31.6 million to date in
engineering, design, permitting, and certain long lead-time equipment
purchases.

Intrepid is executing on its strategy to increase granulation capacity
for both potash and Trio ^?. Additional granulation capacity
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 handle all of the anticipated production from the
  HB Solar Solution mine project and the planned expansions of mining
  and milling capacity at the West facility. This project is expected to
  be completed in two phases to coincide with these production
  increases, with completion of the first phase planned for early 2013
  and completion of the second phase planned for 2014. Assuming the
  necessary permits are obtained on a timely basis, we will begin
  construction in the second quarter of 2012. Total capital investment
  for the project is expected to be approximately $95 to $100 million,
  of which approximately $10.1 million has been invested to date.
  

• 
  Further, our planned granulation plant component of LRIP will provide
  us with the capacity to produce granular product from all of our
  standard-sized Trio ^? product as needed to satisfy market
  demand. Construction of this plant is progressing well, and we expect
  to begin commissioning early in the second quarter of 2012.
  

Fourth Quarter Results and Recent Performance

Income before income taxes for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $35.3
million compared to $29.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Cash
flows from operating activities were $44.3 million for the fourth
quarter of 2011 compared to $46.8 million for the fourth quarter of
2010. Adjusted net income⁴ for the fourth quarter of 2011 was
$21.0 million compared to adjusted net income of $17.9 million in the
same period last year.

Potash

During the fourth quarter of 2011, Intrepid produced 197,000 tons of
potash and sold 183,000 tons of potash compared to 224,000 tons produced
and 216,000 tons sold in the fourth quarter of 2010. The difference in
production results for the quarter reflects the progress associated with
the tie-ins related to the LRIP at the East facility in Carlsbad, New
Mexico, discussed more fully below, and the commissioning of the
compaction project at our Wendover, Utah facility. As we experienced
downtime at our East facility related to the tie-in of the DMS plant of
the LRIP while still incurring production costs, our production costs
per ton from the East facility were higher and, therefore, we expect
higher cash operating cost of goods sold per ton in early 2012 as we
sell through the inventory of product produced from the East plant
during late 2011 and into early 2012.

Langbeinite - Trio ^?

Demand for Trio ^? remained strong and we once again finished
the quarter with very low inventory levels for both granular and
standard-sized Trio ^? product. We expect demand to remain
strong into 2012 as the market currently remains under-supplied. We
anticipate increased Trio ^? production once the DMS plant is
fully commissioned, which should result in increased sales volumes of
Trio ^? in 2012. Based on this strong demand, we raised the
posted F.O.B. price of granular Trio ^? to $340 a ton on
January 30, 2012. For the 28,000 tons of Trio ^? sold in the
fourth quarter of 2011, we obtained an average net realized sales price
of $287 per ton, which was $36 per ton higher than in the third quarter
of 2011. This compares to 27,000 tons of Trio ^? sold at an
average net realized sales price of $222 per ton in the prior year's
fourth quarter. The sequential improvement in Trio ^? pricing
in the fourth quarter of 2011 resulted from realization of the price
increases implemented in November 2011, strong domestic demand for
granular Trio ^?, and continued price improvements in the
export markets for both standard and granular Trio ^?.

Full Year 2011 Results

Income before income taxes for the full year 2011 was $175.3 million
compared to $75.0 million for the full year 2010. Cash flows from
operating activities were $173.9 million for the full year 2011 compared
to $123.3 million for the full year 2010. Adjusted net income for the
full year 2011 was $93.0 million compared to adjusted net income of
$45.6 million in the same period last year.

Potash

For the full year 2011, Intrepid produced 813,000 tons of potash and
sold 793,000 tons of potash. This compares to 727,000 tons produced and
810,000 tons sold in the full year 2010. The average net realized sales
price for potash for 2011 increased to $472 per ton ($520 per metric
tonne) compared to $363 per ton ($400 per metric tonne) for the full
year 2010. Production in 2011 was higher primarily due to producing at
full production levels in 2011 whereas, in 2010, we were adding
production during the first half of the year following the market-driven
production reductions that started in 2009. In addition, we realized the
benefit of capital invested in 2010 and commissioned in 2011 through
higher production from additional mining panels in Carlsbad.
Additionally, these same factors had a positive influence on our per
unit cash operating cost of goods sold in 2011 as compared to 2010.

For 2011, our cash operating cost of goods sold for potash, net of
by-product credits of $8 per ton, was $173 per ton compared to $184 per
ton, net of by-product credits of $8 per ton, for the full year 2010.
The improvement was largely due to higher production rates as fixed
production costs were spread over more tons produced. This was offset by
an increase in depreciation per ton due to an increase in capital
projects completed late in 2010 and during 2011.

Langbeinite - Trio ^?

For 2011, we produced 141,000 tons of langbeinite compared to 159,000
tons in 2010. For 2011, Intrepid sold 173,000 tons of Trio ^?
at an average net realized sales price of $236 per ton ($260 per metric
tonne) as compared to 204,000 tons at an average net realized sales
price of $174 per ton ($192 per metric tonne) in 2010. The increase in
cost of goods sold on a per ton basis is due to lower production volumes
in 2011 over which production costs are allocated and, as a result, our
per ton production costs increased over those in 2010.

Other Financial Information and 2012 Outlook

In October 2011, Intrepid determined that it would terminate the Moab
Salt, LLC Employees' Pension Plan, a defined benefit pension plan. We
plan to fund our remaining liability under this plan in 2012, with the
funding obligation amount contingent on precise timing of the plan
termination and participant settlement obligations. We expect to record
the additional expense associated with fully funding the plan at
termination during 2012.

Following analysis of changes in business conditions and tax laws of the
states in which we operate, we increased our estimate of the future
blended state tax rate. This change in estimate results in an increase
of the value of the net deferred tax asset by approximately $3.7
million. The increase in the value of the deferred tax asset generated a
reduction in the deferred tax expense for the year ended December 31,
2011, of $3.7 million, and decreased the effective tax rate for the 2011
income tax expense to 37.6 percent. Our effective tax rate for the
period ending December 31, 2011 was 39.7 percent, before the impact of
this revaluation. We expect our estimated effective tax rate in 2012 to
be between 37.5 and 39 percent.

Our outlook for the first quarter and full year 2012 related to our
production, sales, cash cost of goods sold, total cost of goods sold,
selling and administrative expense and our capital investment plan is
presented below. 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 is only
provided on a full year basis for capital investment.

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.

Since Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial
measures, we make reference to their respective reconciliations in the
accompanying non-GAAP reconciliation tables towards the end of this
release and the associated financial tables provide the details to
reconcile these numbers to U.S. GAAP line items.Average net
realized sales price and cash operating cost of goods sold are defined
in the text of this release and the associated financial tables provide
additional details regarding these operating measures.

Conference Call Information

The conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2011 results is scheduled
for Thursday, February 16, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. MST (10:00 a.m. EST). 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 fourth quarter 2011 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 March 17, 2012.

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;
  
• 
  interruptions in rail or truck transportation services;
  
• 
  our ability to hire and retain qualified employees;
  
• 
  changes in demand or supply for potash or Trio ^?/langbeinite;
  
• 
  changes in our reserve estimates;
  
• 
  the cost and our ability to successfully execute the projects that are
  essential to our business strategy, which includes construction and
  commissioning, including the development of the HB Solar Solution mine
  as a solution mine and the further development of our langbeinite
  recovery and granulation assets;
  
• 
  adverse weather events at our facilities, including events affecting
  net evaporation rates at our solar solution mining operations;
  
• 
  changes in the prices of our 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 expertise;
  
• 
  the impact of federal, state or local government regulations,
  including environmental and mining regulations, and the enforcement of
  these regulations;
  
• 
  obtaining permitting for 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, February 15, 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 $11 and $7 for the fourth
  quarter of 2011, and 2010, respectively. By-product credits were $2.0
  million and $1.5 million ?for the fourth quarter of 2011, and 2010,
  respectively. There were no costs associated with abnormal production
  for the fourth quarter of 2011 or 2010.
  

• 
  On a per ton basis, by-product credits were $8 for both the year ended
  December 31, 2011, and 2010, respectively. By-product credits were
  $6.0 million and $6.4 million ?for the year ended December 31, 2011,
  and 2010, respectively. Costs associated with abnormal production were
  zero and $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and 2010,
  respectively.
  

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

UNAUDITED NON-GAAP ADJUSTED NET
INCOME RECONCILIATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010

(In thousands)

Adjusted net income 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. The non-GAAP measure of
Adjusted net income is presented because management believes it 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. Since 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 our net income, the most directly
comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to Adjusted net income:

INTREPID POTASH, INC.

UNAUDITED NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA
RECONCILIATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010

(In thousands)

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
('Adjusted EBITDA?) is computed 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. This non-GAAP measure is presented because
management believes it 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. Since 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 our net income, the most directly
comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA:

Intrepid Potash, Inc.

William Kent, 303-296-3006