PDL Petra Diamonds Limited

TIDMPDL

RNS Number : 0202R

Petra Diamonds Limited

24 October 2023

 
24 October 2023   LSE: PDL 
 

Petra Diamonds Limited

("Petra" or "the Company")

Q1 FY 2024 Operating Update

Petra reports improved diamond production in the first quarter of FY 2024

Richard Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of Petra, commented:

"With stabilising operations at Cullinan Mine and Finsch, and Williamson resuming production ahead of schedule, production increased 12% from the previous quarter. This was accompanied by a continuation of our strong safety performance from Q4 FY 2023 following our renewed safety focus.

We believe the actions taken by the major producers to curb supply and the two-month Indian diamond import moratorium will assist in stabilising the market and supporting prices as inventory levels reduce. Whilst we continue to see support for the market in the medium to longer term as a result of the structural supply deficit, we are taking prudent steps to enhance our business resilience in light of these market challenges and uncertainties that are expected to continue over the coming months. By bringing forward our second tender of FY 2024 we were able to sell 75% of our goods ahead of the moratorium, with the balance sold shortly after. We are in discussions with our first lien lender to upsize our existing Revolving Credit Facility and are evaluating options to provide further financial flexibility, such as optimising our operational expenditure and deferring capital spend.

We are confident these actions will enable us to navigate this period of market weakness whilst limiting the impact on our value-led growth strategy."

Highlights vs Q4 FY 2023

-- We maintained our improved safety performance with LTIs and LTIFR remaining at 2 and 0.12, respectively.

-- Total diamond production increased 12% to 696,639 carats mainly due to Williamson successfully resuming operations ahead of schedule. Production at Cullinan Mine was largely in line with expectations, with a small increase in tonnes treated offset by grade trending towards the lower end of expectations. At Finsch, tonnes treated decreased 23% from the preceding quarter, largely offset by a 26% increase in ROM grade, reflecting increased quarter-on-quarter volatility associated with the sub-level cave maturity. Production guidance for FY 2024 remains unchanged.

-- Revenue totalled US$97.6 million, which included Tender 1 sales of US$79.3 million and a portion of Tender 2 sales concluded prior to 30 September, with the balance of Tender 2 adding a further US$22.2 million post period end.

-- Unrestricted cash balances amounted to US$56.5 million (30 June 2023: US$44.1 million), with a further US$33.0 million (30 June 2023: US$8.9 million) cash received from diamond debtors shortly after period end. Cash balances include a ZAR850 million (US$45.0 million) drawdown from the Company's ZAR1 billion (US$53.0 million) Revolving Credit Facility.

-- Consolidated net debt increased to US$192.4 million (30 June 2023: US$176.8 million) due to the timing of closing the Company's sales tenders, the continued lower diamond pricing environment, working capital funding for the resumption of mining at Williamson and the increasing capex spend profile, as previously announced, to extend the life of our operations at Cullinan Mine and Finsch.

Operating Summary

 
                     Unit    FY 2024                  FY 2023 
                               Q1       Q4     Var.    Q1     Var.  12 months 
Safety 
LTIFR                Rate       0.12     0.12     -     0.16  -25%       0.24 
LTIs                Number         2        2     -        3  -33%         17 
 
Sales 
Diamonds sold       Carats   932,431  561,624  +66%  516,308  +81%  2,329,799 
Revenue(1)           US$m       97.6     49.9  +96%    101.4   -4%      323.9 
Contribution 
 from Exceptional 
 Stones(2)           US$m        0.0      0.0     -      0.0     -        0.0 
 
Production 
ROM tonnes            Mt         2.7      1.8  +49%      3.0   -9%        8.6 
Tailings and 
 other tonnes         Mt         0.1      0.1     -      0.1     -        0.4 
Total tonnes 
 treated              Mt         2.8      1.9  +46%      3.1   -9%        9.0 
 
ROM diamonds        Carats   652,021  592,374  +10%  729,761  -11%  2,517,309 
Tailings and 
 other diamonds     Carats    44,618   27,644  +61%   29,951  +49%    149,216 
Total diamonds      Carats   696,639  620,018  +12%  759,712   -8%  2,666,525 
 

(1) Revenue reflects proceeds from the sale of rough diamonds and excludes revenue from profit share arrangements

(2) Petra classifies "Exceptional Stones" as rough diamonds which sell for US$15 million or more each

INVESTOR WEBCASTS

Webcast presentation for institutional investors and analysts at 09:30am BST today

Petra's CEO, Richard Duffy, and CFO, Jacques Breytenbach, will host a live webcast including Q&A for institutional investors and analysts today at 09:30 BST to discuss this operating update.

Webcast link for live presentation: https://brrmedia.news/PDL_Q1FY24

Dial in details:

   United Kingdom                033 0551 0200 
   South Africa                      0800 980 512 
   United States (Local)        +1 786 697 3501 

Password (if prompted): Quote "Petra Diamonds Q1 Operations Update"

Link for recording (available later in the day):

https://www.petradiamonds.com/investors/results-reports/

Investor Meet Company webcast at 14.30pm BST today

Petra's CEO, Richard Duffy, and CFO, Jacques Breytenbach, will also present these results live on the Investor Meet Company platform, predominantly aimed at retail investors. To join: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/petra-diamonds-limited/register-investor

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact

Investor Relations, London

Patrick Pittaway Telephone: +44 20 7494 8203

Julia Stone investorrelations@petradiamonds.com

Kelsey Traynor

Financial PR (Camarco)

Gordon Poole Telephone: +44 20 3757 4980

Owen Roberts petradiamonds@camarco.co.uk

Elfie Kent

Notes:

   1.     The following definitions have been used in this announcement: 
   a.     cpht: carats per hundred tonnes 
   b.     LTIs: lost time injuries 

c. LTIFR: lost time injury frequency rate, calculated as the number of LTIs multiplied by 200,000 and divided by the number of hours worked

   d.     FY: financial year ending 30 June 
   e.     CY: calendar year ending 31 December 
   f.      Q: quarter of the financial year 
   g.     ROM: run-of-mine (i.e. production from the primary orebody) 
   h.     m: million 
   i.      Mt: million tonnes 
   j.      period: the first quarter of FY 2024 

ABOUT PETRA DIAMONDS

Petra Diamonds is a leading independent diamond mining group and a supplier of gem quality rough diamonds to the international market. The Company's portfolio incorporates interests in three underground mines in South Africa (Cullinan Mine, Finsch and Koffiefontein) and one open pit mine in Tanzania (Williamson). The Koffiefontein mine is currently on care and maintenance in preparation for closure.

Petra's strategy is to focus on value rather than volume production by optimising recoveries from its high-quality asset base in order to maximise their efficiency and profitability. The Group has a significant resource base which supports the potential for long-life operations.

Petra strives to conduct all operations according to the highest ethical standards and only operates in countries which are members of the Kimberley Process. The Company aims to generate tangible value for each of its stakeholders, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of its host countries and supporting long-term sustainable operations to the benefit of its employees, partners and communities.

Petra is quoted with a premium listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker 'PDL'. The Company's loan notes due in 2026 are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Global Exchange Market. For more information, visit www.petradiamonds.com.

Corporate and financial summary 30 September 2023

 
                               Unit     As at 30   As at 30  As at 31    As at 30 
                                        September    June     December   September 
                                          2023       2023       2022       2022 
Cash at bank - 
 (including restricted 
 amounts)(1)                   US$m       74.3       61.8      146.6      154.0 
Diamond debtors                US$m       33.0       8.9        4.3        4.2 
Diamond inventories(2,3,4)     US$m       51.8       65.9      59.9        76.3 
                Carats                   479,430    715,222   540,153     692,219 
2026 US$336.7m 
 loan notes (4)                US$m      254.6      247.5      241.7      235.8 
Bank loans and 
 borrowings(5)                 US$m       45.0        -          -          - 
Consolidated Net 
 Debt(6)                       US$m      192.4      176.8      90.8        77.6 
Bank facilities 
 undrawn and available(5)      US$m       7.9        53.1      58.8        55.1 
 

Note: The following exchange rates have been used for this announcement: average for 3M FY 2024 US$1: ZAR18.65 (FY 2023: US$1: ZAR17.77); closing rate as at 30 September 2023 US$1: ZAR18.92 (30 June 2023: ZAR18.83, 31 December 2022: US$1: ZAR17.00, and September 2022: ZAR18.15).

Notes:

1. The Group's cash balances comprise unrestricted balances of US$56.5 million (30 June 2023: US$44.1 million), and restricted balances of US$17.8 million (30 June 2023: US$17.0 million).

   2.     Recorded at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 

3. Diamond inventories for periods prior to 30 June 2023 include the 71,654.45 carat Williamson parcel of diamonds blocked for export during August 2017, with a carrying value of US$12.5 million. Under the Framework Agreement entered into with the Government of Tanzania (GoT) in December 2021, it is stated that the proceeds from the sale of this parcel are to be applied to the Williamson mine to assist with the restart of operations and that in the event such proceeds are not received by Williamson, Williamson is not required to pay a US$20 million liability relating to the settlement of past tax disputes. During earlier discussions, the GoT confirmed that the blocked parcel was partially sold during FY 2023 and so this parcel was excluded from diamond inventories in the Group's FY 2023 accounts and expensed to other direct mining expense with the calculated fair value proceeds of US$12.4 million for the blocked parcel recognised as other direct mining income and trade and other receivables as at 30 June 2023. During these discussions, the parties also confirmed their intent to resolve the treatment of the blocked parcel sale proceeds and the related US$20 million settlement liability.

4. Post period-end, the Company completed Tender 2 with the sale of 207,792 carats from Cullinan Mine and Finsch, yielding US$22.2 million.

5. The 2026 US$336.7 million loan notes, originally issued following the capital restructuring (the "Restructuring") completed during March 2021, have a carrying value of US$254.6 million which represents the outstanding principal amount of US$209.7 million (after the debt tender offers as announced in September and October 2022) plus US$54.4 million of accrued interest and is stated net of unamortised transaction costs capitalised of US$9.5 million.

6. Bank loans and borrowings represent the Group's ZAR1 billion revolving credit facility (RCF). During Q1 FY 2024, as a result of the deferment of the June 2023 diamond tender, the Group drew down ZAR850 million (US$44.9 million) on the RCF.

7. Consolidated Net Debt is bank loans and borrowings plus loan notes, less cash and diamond debtors.

Mine-by-mine tables:

Cullinan Mine - South Africa

 
                                FY 2024                     FY 2023 
                       Unit       Q1         Q4      Var.     Q1      Var.  12 months 
Sales 
Revenue               US$m          51.1       30.9  +65%       56.9  -10%      181,5 
Diamonds sold         Carats     519,362    327,429  +59%    267,728  +94%  1,306,457 
Average price 
 per carat            US$             98         94   +4%        212  -54%        139 
 
ROM Production 
Tonnes treated        Tonnes   1,137,436  1,120,346   +2%  1,110,912   +2%  4,376,595 
Diamonds produced     Carats     318,261    323,535   -2%    368,796  -14%  1,343,191 
Grade(1)              Cpht          28.0       28.9   -3%       33.2  -16%       30.7 
 
Tailings Production 
Tonnes treated        Tonnes      91,008    102,193  -11%     77,572  +17%    352,375 
Diamonds produced     Carats      44,618     27,644  +61%     26,790  +67%    142,654 
Grade(1)              Cpht          49.0       27.1  +81%       34.5  +42%       40.5 
 
Total Production 
Tonnes treated        Tonnes   1,228,443  1,222,539    +0  1,188,484   +3%  4,728,970 
Diamonds produced     Carats     362,879    351,179   +3%    395,586   -8%  1,485,846 
 

Note: 1. Petra is not able to precisely measure the ROM / tailings grade split because ore from both sources is processed through the same plant; the Company therefore back-calculates the grade with reference to resource grades.

Finsch - South Africa

 
                               FY 2024                   FY 2023 
                       Unit      Q1       Q4     Var.     Q1     Var.   12 months 
Sales 
Revenue               US$m        38.9     19.0  +105%     23.4   +66%       93.4 
Diamonds sold         Carats   375,214  234,195   +60%  177,285  +112%    848,236 
Average price 
 per carat            US$          104       81   +28%      132   -22%        110 
 
ROM Production 
Tonnes treated        Tonnes   544,140  706,497   -23%  572,976    -5%  2,431,261 
Diamonds produced     Carats   259,864  268,839    -3%  260,217    -0%  1,033,602 
Grade(1)              Cpht        47.8     38.1   +26%     45.4    +5%       42.5 
 
Tailings Production 
Tonnes treated        Tonnes         -        -      -   17,305  -100%     47,502 
Diamonds produced     Carats         -        -      -    3,160  -100%      6,562 
Grade(1)              Cpht           -        -      -     18.3  -100%       13.8 
 
Total Production 
Tonnes treated        Tonnes   544,140  706,497   -23%  590,281    -8%  2,478,764 
Diamonds produced     Carats   259,864  268,839    -3%  263,377    -1%  1,040,164 
 

Note: 1. Petra is not able to precisely measure the ROM / tailings grade split because ore from both sources is processed through the same plant; the Company therefore back-calculates the grade with reference to resource grades.

Williamson - Tanzania

 
                              FY 2024                  FY 2023 
                     Unit       Q1      Q4  Var.      Q1      Var.  12 months 
Sales 
Revenue             US$m           7.7   -  +100%       21.1  -64%       49.1 
Diamonds sold       Carats      37,856   -  +100%     71,295  -47%    175,124 
Average price 
 per carat          US$            203   -  +100%        297  -32%        280 
 
ROM Production 
Tonnes treated      Tonnes   1,035,911   -  +100%  1,309,359  -21%  1,829,376 
Diamonds produced   Carats      73,896   -  +100%    100,750  -27%    140,516 
Grade(1)            Cpht           7.1   -  +100%        7.7   -7%        7.7 
 
Total Production 
Tonnes treated      Tonnes   1,035,911   -  +100%  1,309,359  -21%  1,829,376 
Diamonds produced   Carats      73,896   -  +100%    100,750  -27%    140,516 
 

Capital expenditure breakdown

 
US$m                        Q1 FY 2024              FY 2023 
                Extension  Stay-in-Business  Total    Total 
Cullinan Mine        13.1               2.4   15.5     52.8 
Finsch                7.1               2.7    9.8     43.2 
Williamson              -               4.7    4.7     19.3 
Total                20.2               9.8   30.0    115.3 
 

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