TIDMSLP
RNS Number : 1798D
Sylvania Platinum Limited
17 February 2020
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17 February 2020
Sylvania Platinum Limited
("Sylvania", "the Company" or "the Group")
AIM (SLP)
Interim financial results for the six months ended 31 December
2019
The Directors are pleased to present the interim financial
results for the six months ended 31 December 2019. Unless otherwise
stated, the consolidated financial information contained in this
report is presented in USD.
Highlights
-- SDO delivered 40,003 4E PGM ounces (HY1 FY2019: 34,045 4E PGM ounces);
-- Revenue generated for the period was $59.0 million, net of
pipeline sales adjustments, an 84% improvement on HY1 FY2019 ($32.1
million);
-- Group EBITDA rose 197% to $36.7 million (HY1 FY2019: $12.3 million);
-- Net profit up 244% to $23.9 million (HY1 FY2019: $7.0 million);
-- Cash balance of $33.8 million (HY1 FY2019: $20.2 million);
-- Dividend paid of $0.01 (0.78 pence) per share;
-- Bought back 3,000,000 shares from the market, as well as
1,175,848 shares from employees under the Share Buyback Programme,
to be held in Treasury;
-- Retirement of Terry McConnachie effective from 29 February 2020;
-- Appointment of Jaco Prinsloo as MD and CEO effective from 1 March 2020; and
-- Appointment of Lewanne Carminati as FD and CFO effective from 1 March 2020.
Challenges
-- Power utility infrastructure and supply issues resulting in
distribution interruptions and instability continue to present
challenges to existing operations and the execution of our
expansion processes ;
-- Intermittent rainfall and water shortages remain a key focus
of the Group with mitigatory measures continuing to be explored to
assist in the reduction of overall water losses in tailings;
and
-- Potential retrenchments at some of the host mines due to the
depressed chrome market, has necessitated the review of the Group's
plant feed strategy.
Opportunities
-- Current PGM basket price is contributing to higher than planned profits and cash balance;
-- Post-commissioning evaluation of PGM grade and recovery
optimisation projects, incorporating proprietary modifications at
Millsell, Doornbosch and Tweefontein, identified an opportunity to
roll this circuit modification out to the Mooinooi and Lannex
plants in order to improve the upgrading and recovery of PGMs;
-- The Group remains debt free and continues to generate
sufficient cash reserves to fund capital expansion projects;
-- Progressive research and development of the new chrome/coal
pelletising joint operation project; and
-- Proposed share buyback of up to 12 million shares including
the relaunch of the certificated non-UK Shareholders buyback
programme.
Commenting on the period, Sylvania's CEO Terry McConnachie
said:
"I am pleased to present the half-year results to our
shareholders and commend our management and operations teams for
the record HY1 performance they have achieved, despite the period
being known for its challenges experienced due to disruptions
relating to the holiday period shut down as well as the additional
issues relating to power and water supply constraints. It is
evident that t he corrective action and implementation of various
improvement measures to address challenges experienced during the
previous financial year are now showing results and management and
the Board remain confident that the operations should achieve the
previously announced guidance for production of 74,000 to 76,000 4E
PGM ounces. Whilst the results for HY1 are excellent, the Board is
mindful of the potential challenges ahead and have therefore
decided not to increase guidance until further clarity is
obtained.
After more than 46 years of working in the mining and
beneficiation of minerals industry, and 14 years with Sylvania, I
have decided to step down from the Board and as Chief Executive
effective 29 February 2020. I am pleased to announce that Jaco
Prinsloo will take on the role of MD and CEO, while Lewanne
Carminati will be appointed as FD and CFO.
It has been my intention to retire for some time and with
Sylvania performing at an all-time high, I feel it is an opportune
time to hand over the reins of a group that is in a sound shape,
strategically, financially and operationally."
Commenting on Terry McConnachie's retirement, Chairman, Stuart
Murray, said:
"Terry's contribution to Sylvania over the years has been
immense, whilst riding out one of the longest and most difficult
downturns in the PGM industry. With his hands-on and
entrepreneurial leadership style, Sylvania has grown into one of
the world's lowest-cost platinum group metal producers. On behalf
of the Board, I wish to thank Terry for this legacy.
Although Terry leaves the company in excellent shape and in good
hands, I am nevertheless pleased to advise that Sylvania will
continue to have access to Terry's counsel and expertise, as he
will assist in an advisory capacity for a minimum 12-month period.
This will provide continuity for Sylvania and contribute to the
further development of the new chrome/coal pelletising joint
operation project that was highlighted in my Chairman's letter in
the annual report for FY2019."
USD Unit Unaudited Unit ZAR
HY1 2019 HY1 % Change % Change HY1 HY1 2019
2020 2020
------------- --------- --------- ------------- --------------
Production
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
1,195,906 1,348,769 13% T Plant Feed T 13% 1,348,769 1,195,906
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
2.36 2.28 -3% g/t Feed Head Grade g/t -3% 2.28 2.36
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
PGM Plant Feed
607,018 615,980 1% T Tons T 1% 615,980 607,018
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
PGM Plant Feed
3.66 3.54 -3% g/t Grade g/t -3% 3.54 3.66
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
47.65% 57.14% 20% % PGM Plant Recovery % 20% 57.14% 47.65%
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
34,045 40,003 18% Oz Total 4E PGMs Oz 18% 40,003 34,045
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
45,727 53,062 16% Oz Total 6E PGMs Oz 16% 53,062 45,727
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
Average gross
1,201 1,830 52% $/oz basket price R/oz 54% 26,336 17,134
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
Financials
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
26,516 50,960 92% $'000 Revenue (4E) R'000 99% 748,964 376,149
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
Revenue (by
3,020 3,376 12% $'000 products) R'000 16% 49,618 42,843
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
2,557 4,697 84% $'000 Sales adjustments R'000 90% 69,027 36,266
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
32,092 59,032 84% $'000 Revenue R'000 91% 867,609 455,258
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
18,738 21,340 14% $'000 Operating costs R'000 18% 313,639 265,891
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
General and
administrative
1,054 1,155 10% $'000 costs R'000 13% 16,976 14,957
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
12,323 36,650 197% $'000 Group EBITDA R'000 208% 538,656 174,859
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
240 444 85% $'000 Net Interest R'000 92% 6,530 3,403
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
2,367 9,752 312% $'000 Taxation R'000 327% 143,322 33,594
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
Depreciation
3,241 3,434 6% $'000 and amortisation R'000 10% 50,475 45,988
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
6,954 23,909 244% $'000 Net profit R'000 256% 351,388 98,679
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
3,855 3,110 -19% $'000 Capital Expenditure R'000 -16% 45,710 54,696
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
- - - R/$ Ave R/$ rate R/$ 4% 14.70 14.19
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
- - - R/$ Spot R/$ rate R/$ -3% 14.04 14.40
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
20,220 33,817 67% $'000 Cash Balance R'000 73% 497,018 286,928
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
Unit
Cost/Efficiencies
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
SDO Cash Cost
550 530 -4% $/oz Per 4E PGM oz R/oz 0% 7,795 7,805
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
SDO Cash Cost
410 400 -2% $/oz Per 6E PGM oz R/oz 1% 5,876 5,814
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
Group Cash Cost
577 554 -4% $/oz Per 4E PGM oz R/oz -1% 8,140 8,194
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
Group Cash Cost
430 418 -3% $/oz Per 6E PGM oz R/oz 1% 6,137 6,100
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
All-in sustaining
590 569 -4% $/oz cost (4E) R/oz 0% 8,356 8,369
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
All-in cost
692 629 -9% $/oz (4E) R/oz -6% 9,242 9,819
------------- --------- ------ ---------------------- ------ --------- ------------- --------------
The Sylvania cash generating subsidiaries are incorporated in
South Africa with the functional currency of these operations being
South African Rand ("ZAR"). Revenues from the sale of PGMs are
incurred in United States Dollars ("USD") and then converted into
ZAR. The Group's reporting currency is USD as the parent company is
incorporated in Bermuda. Corporate and general and administration
costs are incurred in USD, Great British Pounds ("GBP") and
ZAR.
For the six months under review, the average ZAR:USD exchange
rate was ZAR14.70:$1 and the closing exchange rate was
ZAR14.04:$1.
A. OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
Health, safety and environment
There were no significant occupational health or environmental
incidents during the period, but in terms of safety, the Sylvania
Dump Operations ("SDO") experienced one lost-time injury ("LTI")
where an operator suffered a leg injury at Lesedi, resulting in the
operation losing its record of being LTI-free for more than eight
years.
Safety records at most other operations remain solid.
Tweefontein and Doornbosch both remain LTI-free for more than seven
years, while Millsell and Lannex are LTI-free for five years.
The Group continues to focus on health, safety and environmental
compliance, and through the collaborative efforts of management and
all employees across the operations, we strive to maintain high
safety standards and plant conditions. A new safety campaign
launched in December 2019 at both the Eastern and Western
operations has further assisted in enhancing the culture of a safe
working environment and will continue to do so in the future.
Operational performance
The SDO delivered 40,003 ounces for the period, a new half-year
record production for the Company and an 18% increase on the 34,045
ounces for the comparative period in the prior year.
PGM plant feed tons remained stable in comparison to HY1 FY2019
however PGM plant feed grade decreased 3%. Fortunately, PGM plant
recovery increased 20%, resulting in the higher ounce
production.
The significant improvement in the PGM recovery efficiency can
be attributed to a combination of process improvements that
included the optimisation of the Project Echo MF2 modules
commissioned to date, especially the Mooinooi MF2 circuit that was
commissioned during Q4 FY2019. Improved process efficiencies
following the commissioning of the new milling and chrome
beneficiation circuit, and higher flotation mass pull philosophy at
some of the operations also improved recoveries. Steady-state PGM
recovery efficiency is planned at approximately 52% to 53% 4E going
forward based on current circuit configurations, ore feed blend,
and current mass pull philosophy to optimise concentrate quality
and payability.
Cash costs per ounce for the SDO decreased marginally in ZAR
terms and 4% in USD terms, which is attributable to higher PGM
ounce production and maintaining tight costs controls and planning
at the operations.
Operational focus areas
Although the half-year on half-year PGM production improved 18%,
the production was not without its challenges particularly relating
to water constraints and power supply challenges in South
Africa.
Water supply constraints to operations has become an increased
focus for the Company despite some reprieve experienced during
December 2019 with intermittent rainfall. Tweefontein and Lesedi
operations are most affected. Additional trial boreholes were
drilled at Lesedi during the first quarter, in consultation with
water and environmental experts, which proved a successful
intervention to assist the reduction of overall water losses in
tailings. Management has therefore taken the decision to implement
similar measures at Tweefontein during the next period to assist in
alleviating production measures associated with any shortage of
water in the future.
A further area of focus for the Group is the impact of
load-shedding. Power cuts due to maintenance and power
interruptions associated with frequent trips from the national
power utility provider have led to downtime at the operations and
consequential chokes in the processing plants. The Group continues
to investigate and evaluate alternative long-term solutions to help
mitigate this impact.
Recent communication of potential retrenchments at some of our
host mines due to the depressed chrome market has necessitated the
review of the Group's feed strategy in terms of alternative feed
sources to compensate for the potential loss of any current
arisings or Run of Mine ("RoM") material to plants. The host mine
is still in the 90-day consultation period with their unions and
therefore the exact impact on host mines will only be confirmed in
due course. The flexibility between current arisings and dump
material on operations will enable effective management of the
potential change in ratio of feed sources to minimise or prevent
the potential impact of the host mines downsizing.
Management continues to focus on improving communication and to
engage with mandated and recognised forums from neighbouring
communities in order to identify potential commercial opportunities
and to manage expectations regarding employment and procurement
spend. The relationship with these forums is critical, especially
when assistance is needed to manage community members that threaten
to interrupt operations, as various neighbouring mines have
experienced.
Capital Projects
Management and operations teams undertook post-commissioning
evaluation of PGM grade and recovery optimisation projects,
incorporating proprietary modifications at Millsell, Doornbosch and
Tweefontein, and identified an opportunity to roll this circuit
modification out to the Mooinooi and Lannex plants in order to
improve the upgrading and recovery of PGMs.
The Project Echo MF2 module at Tweefontein is still delayed due
to power constraints on the national power utility's electricity
supply infrastructure to the Tweefontein mining complex. An
infrastructure upgrade by the national power utility to ensure
stable and reliable supply to both the host mine and Sylvania's
operation has commenced and is currently in progress however, based
on the latest update from the utility in terms of their scheduled
completion, it is now envisaged that Tweefontein's MF2 module will
only be commissioned towards the end of 2021.
In order to mitigate the further delay at Tweefontein and based
on resources and potential at Lesedi, investigations are currently
in progress to evaluate the potential of a new MF2 circuit at
Lesedi that could be executed before Tweefontein's power upgrade
has been addressed.
Commissioning of the new Lannex mill, as part of the Lannex
plant life-extension project, initiated in 2019, is scheduled for
HY2 FY2020. This will enable the plant to improve processing
efficiencies and profitability based on the current feed sources
and further enable the plant to accommodate alternative coarser
feed sources, such as RoM fines from underground or open cast
operations, which will contribute to the extension of the life of
this operation.
The progressive research and development of the new chrome/coal
pelletising joint operation project is advancing with the view to
adding value to beneficiated chrome fines fed to smelters. The
upside for both Sylvania and the host mines are not yet fully
quantified but could be substantial.
Outlook
The corrective action and implementation of various improvement
measures to address challenges experienced during the previous
financial year are now showing results. Management and the Board
remain confident that the operations should achieve the previously
announced guidance for production of 74,000 to 76,000 ounces.
Whilst the results for HY1 are excellent, the Board is mindful of
the potential challenges ahead and have therefore decided not to
increase guidance until further clarity is obtained.
B. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR
LOSS
For the half year ended 31 December 31 December 31 December
2019 2019 2018
Note $ $
Revenue 1 59,032,353 32,092,210
Cost of sales (24,702,004) (21,958,523)
Gross profit 34,330,349 10,133,687
Other income 34,916 34,256
Other expenses 2 (1,149,341) (1,086,204)*
Operating profit before net finance
income and income tax expense 33,215,924 9,081,739
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR
LOSS
For the half year ended 31 December 31 December 31 December
2019 2019 2018
Note $ $
Finance income 697,509 423,423
Finance costs (253,239) (191,337)*
------------ ------------
Profit before income tax expense 33,660,194 9,313,825
Income tax expense (9,751,668) (2,367,469)
Net profit for the period 23,908,526 6,946,356
============ ============
Cents Cents
Profit per share for profit attributable
to the ordinary equity holders of the
Company:
Basic earnings per share 8.42 2.43
Diluted earnings per share 8.22 2.41
1. Revenue is generated from the sale of PGM 6E ounces produced
at the six retreatment plants, net of pipeline sales
adjustments.
2. Other expenses relate to corporate activities and include
consulting fees, audit fees, travel, advisor and PR costs, share
registry costs, Directors' fees, share based payments and other
smaller administrative costs.
* Re-classification of joint operation.
The Gross basket price for PGMs for the six months to 31
December 2019 increased 52% to $1,830/ounce compared to
$1,201/ounce for the period ended 31 December 2018 attributable to
the steady increase in both Palladium and Rhodium prices over the
reporting period.
The Group recorded revenue of $59.0 million for the six months
to 31 December 2019, as a result of the higher basket price and
higher ounce production. Revenue from by-products increased by 12%
compared to the comparative period in the prior year.
The cost of sales is the direct and indirect costs of producing
the PGM concentrate and amounted to ZAR313.6 million for the
reporting period compared to ZAR265.9 million in the six months to
31 December 2018. The cost of sales includes ZAR49.4 million
depreciation charge on plant and equipment (HY1 FY2019: ZAR46.0
million) with the other main cost contributors being salaries and
wages of ZAR118.0 million (HY1 FY2019: ZAR98.1 million), mining
costs of ZAR35.6 million (HY1 FY 2019: ZAR27.5 million), reagents
and milling costs of ZAR24.6 million (HY1 FY2019: ZAR23.9 million),
equipment hire of ZAR10.7 million (HY1 FY2019: ZAR5.1 million),
concentrate transport of ZAR11.2 million (HY1 FY2019: ZAR8.3
million) and electricity of ZAR43.2 million (HY1 FY2019: ZAR35.5
million).
Group cash costs decreased marginally in ZAR terms to
ZAR8,140/ounce compared to ZAR8,194/ounce in the corresponding
period in the prior year, mainly due to the cost per ounce reducing
as Project Echo and optimisation project ounces came on stream. The
all-in sustaining cost ("AISC") for the Group was ZAR8,356/ounce
and an all-in cost ("AIC") of ZAR9,242/ounce for the period to 31
December 2019. This compares to the AISC and AIC for 31 December
2018 of ZAR8,369/ounce and ZAR9,819/ounce respectively.
General and administrative costs were $1.2 million for the six
months to 31 December 2019 compared to $1.1 million for the
corresponding period in the prior year. These costs are incurred in
USD, GBP and ZAR and relate mainly to share registry costs,
advisory and public relations costs, consulting and legal fees and
stock exchange costs.
Interest is earned on surplus cash invested in South Africa at
an average interest rate of 7% per annum and interest is paid on
instalment sale agreements for the purchase of moveable plant and
vehicles.
Income tax is paid in ZAR on taxable profits generated at the
South African operations at the corporate income tax rate of 28%.
Income tax for the six months to 31 December 2019 was ZAR146.2
million compared to ZAR36.0 million for 31 December 2018. Deferred
tax movements for the Group relate mainly to unredeemed capital
expenditure and provisions.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the half year ended 31 December 31 December 31 December
2019 Note 2019 2018
$ $
Net cash inflow from operating activities 3 19,774,892 11,925,688
Net cash outflow from investing activities 4 (3,217,914) (3,439,432)
Net cash outflow from financing activities 5 (5,133,572) (1,476,214)
------------ ------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 11,423,406 7,010,042
Effect of exchange fluctuations on
cash held 596,652 (806,024)
Cash and cash equivalents beginning
of reporting period 21,797,141 14,016,407
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
reporting period 33,817,199 20,220,425
------------ ------------
3. Net cash inflow from operating activities includes a net
operating cash inflow of $25,980,789, net finance income of
$634,258 and taxation paid of $6,840,155.
4. Net cash outflow from investing activities includes payments
for property, plant and equipment of $2,993,020, exploration and
evaluation assets of $117,119, loan to joint operation $107,843 and
cash inflow of $68 from proceeds on disposal of property, plant and
equipment.
5. The net cash outflow from financing activities consists of
the repayment of borrowings of $114,439, payments for share
transactions of $2,165,492 and dividends declared and paid of
$2,853,641.
Cash is held in USD and ZAR. As at 31 December 2019, the
Company's cash and cash equivalents balance was $33.8 million. Cash
generated from operations was $19.8 million for the reporting
period, which includes an outflow of $10.9 million for working
capital changes due to an increase in debtors, resulting from the
timing between ounce delivery and invoicing of four months, and
$6.8 million paid in provisional income tax. The Company spent $3.0
million on capital expenditure comprising of $1.7 million on
specific optimisation projects and $1.3 million on stay in business
capital. In November 2019, $2.9 million was paid to shareholders as
a dividend and $2.2 million was spent on share buybacks. With the
strengthening of the ZAR against the USD the reported cash balance
increased from the last reporting date of 30 June 2019 by $0.6
million due to exchange rate fluctuations. It should be noted that
the Group holds a large portion of cash in ZAR and a strengthening
ZAR:USD exchange rate will have a favourable impact on the Group
cash balance, but a weakening of the ZAR against the USD
will have the opposite impact.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 December 2019 30 June 2019
Note $ $
Assets
Non-current assets
Other financial assets 6 634,713 556,895
Exploration and evaluation assets 53,502,709 53,405,798
Property, plant and equipment 37,849,839 37,676,939
Deferred tax asset 1,734,022 1,813,237
----------------- -------------
Total non-current assets 93,721,283 93,452,869
----------------- -------------
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 7 33,817,199 21,797,141
Trade and other receivables 8 13,827,764 7,799,312
Contract assets 9 28,419,656 23,275,665
Inventories 10 2,928,274 1,827,399
Current tax asset 3,753 279,620
Assets held for sale 4,247,981 4,163,292
Total current assets 83,244,627 59,142,429
----------------- -------------
Total assets 176,965,910 152,595,298
----------------- -------------
Equity and liabilities
Shareholders' equity
Issued capital 11 2,897,248 2,897,248
Reserves 12 66,253,293 66,718,821
Retained earnings 78,997,050 57,946,509
----------------- -------------
Total equity 148,147,591 127,562,578
----------------- -------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 December 2019 30 June 2019
Note $ $
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 13 437,492 184,390
Provisions 14 3,399,772 3,481,232
Deferred tax liability 14,216,353 14,461,024
Total non-current liabilities 18,053,617 18,126,646
----------------- -------------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 7,605,435 6,715,787
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 13 178,587 187,980
Current tax liability 2,978,949 980
Liabilities directly associated
with assets held for sale 1,731 1,327
Total current liabilities 10,764,702 6,906,074
----------------- -------------
Total liabilities 28,818,319 25,032,720
----------------- -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity 176,965,910 152,595,298
----------------- -------------
6. Other financial assets mainly consist of the loan receivable
granted to TS Consortium from Sylvania South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a
South African subsidiary of the Group. TS Consortium is a joint
operation research and development project. Sylvania South Africa
(Pty) Ltd has a 50% interest in the joint operation.
7. The majority of the cash and cash equivalents are held ZAR
and USD. ZAR denominated balances make up $24,317,039 (ZAR
341,373,232) of the total cash and cash equivalents balance.
8. Trade and other receivables consist mainly of amounts
invoiced for the sale of PGMs. Refer to note 9.
9. As per IFRS 15 contract assets are separated from trade receivables.
10. Inventory held is spares and consumables for the SDO and
PGM's produced but not yet delivered.
11. The total number of issued ordinary shares at 31 December
2019 is 289,724,772 Ordinary Shares of US$0.01 each (including
7,110,483 shares held in treasury), 4,175,848 shares were bought
back and 1,275,000 shares were issued.
12. Reserves include the share premium, foreign currency
translation reserve, which is used to record exchange differences
arising from the translation of financial statements of foreign
controlled entities, share-based payments reserve, treasury share
reserve, the non-controlling interests reserve and the equity
reserve.
13. Interest bearing loans and borrowings are secured instalment
sale agreements over various motor vehicles and plant and equipment
as well as the right-of-use lease liability as per the adoption of
IFRS 16 on 1 July 2019.
14. Provision is made for the present value of closure,
restoration and environmental rehabilitation costs in the financial
period when the related environmental disturbance occurs.
C. Mineral Asset Development and opencast mining projects
The Group assesses the value of its mineral asset development
projects on a regular and consistent basis, but at this stage there
is no scope for immediate and significant further capital
investment into these projects. The Group continues to evaluate and
update the models on the projects and once consensus is reached
that the PGM price windfall is here to stay; Sylvania will reassess
the viability of implementing and developing the projects in
accordance with the Group's investment criteria for risk and
opportunity. All of these mineral asset development projects are
currently still considered to be viable and could also help to
diversify the Group's business activities in the near to medium
term.
Grasvally Chrome Project
Currently, there is very little additional information to report
on the conditional cash sale of Grasvally Chrome Mine (Pty) Ltd
("Grasvally") to Forward Africa Mining (Pty) Ltd ("FAM") - the
parties are still within the eight-month period from the date of
acceptance of the offer to fulfill the standard conditions
precedent. The Company will continue to keep shareholders updated
on developments.
D. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
Dividend Approval and Payment
The Board declared a final dividend $0.01 (0.78 pence) per
ordinary share on 2 September 2019 with a record date of 18 October
2019. Dividends were converted to GBP at the exchange rate on 18
October 2019 and were paid on 29 November 2019. The dividend policy
can be found on the Company website.
Share Buybacks and Cancellation of Shares
During the period, the Company bought back 3,000,000 shares from
the market as well as 1,175,848 shares from employees under the
Share Buyback Programme, all to be held in Treasury.
275,000 shares were issued to the directors of the Company and
1,000,000 shares were issued to a former director following the
exercise of share options under the Company's Share Option Plan
("the Plan"). The Plan was cancelled in December 2017 and there are
no further options outstanding under the Plan.
Accordingly, at the end of the period, the Company's issued
share capital is 289,724,772 Ordinary Shares, of which a total of
7,110,483 are held in Treasury. The total number of Ordinary Shares
with voting rights is 282,614,289.
Proposed Share Buy Back
The Company announces that it intends to acquire up to 12
million Ordinary Shares under the terms and authority of the
Company's Bye Laws.
Terry McConnachie has granted the Company a right of first
refusal to acquire up to 5,215,000 of the ordinary shares in the
Company he currently holds at the 30-Day value weighted average
price ("VWAP") as at the close of day on 30 March 2020.
Further to the right of first refusal over Terry's shares the
Company has instructed Liberum Capital Limited to acquire up to
4,785,000 Ordinary Shares in the market.
Given the limited liquidity in the ordinary shares, the Company
may not be able to benefit from the exemption laid down in Article
5(1) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, whereby the Company would not
purchase shares at a price higher than the higher of the price of
the last independent trade and the highest current independent
purchase bid on the trading venue where the purchase is carried
out. Furthermore, a buyback of ordinary shares on any trading day
is likely to represent a significant proportion, or possibly all,
of the daily trading volume in the ordinary shares on the London
Stock Exchange (and is likely to exceed the 25% limit of the
average daily trading volume as laid down in Article 5(1) of
Regulation (EU) No 596/2014).
There is no guarantee that the share buyback will be implemented
in full or that any repurchases will be made.
Both share buybacks will be effective from the date of this
announcement and will expire on 31 March 2020.
The Board also intends to relaunch the share buyback programme
for all certificated non-UK shareholders who hold 175,000 shares or
less in the Company.
The maximum number of shares that may be purchased pursuant to
these programmes is 12 million shares, which represents
approximately 4.1% of the Company's issued share capital. The share
buyback will be funded from the Company's current cash balances. It
is intended that approximately 7 million of the Ordinary Shares
acquired under the Share Buyback Programmes will be allocated to a
new Group employee share trust for South African operational and
support employees and the balance will be cancelled.
Directorship Change
The Sylvania Board are pleased to advise of the appointment of
Jaco Prinsloo as Managing Director ("MD") and Chief Executive
Officer ("CEO") of the Company with effect from 1 March 2020 and
Lewanne Carminati as the Finance Director ("FD") and Chief Finance
Officer ("CFO").
Jaco Prinsloo's appointment follows the retirement of Terry
McConnachie, effective 29 February 2020. Terry was appointed as MD
and CEO in 2006, and is credited with Sylvania's development and
growth.
Jaco Prinsloo (B.Eng Metallurgy; PDBA; MBA) has served in senior
positions at Sylvania since 2012, and, most recently, as MD of the
South African operations, reporting to the CEO, Terry. Jaco has
been exposed to various operational and technical aspects of the
mining sector in South Africa, and has experience in both the
precious and base metals sectors. Prior to joining Sylvania, Jaco
was principal metallurgist at Anglo American for Anglo Operations
Limited, having served at Anglo American Platinum Limited between
2002 and 2010 in various senior metallurgical positions across the
group.
Lewanne Carminati (B.Com Hons; CA (SA); Certificate in Mining
Tax) joined Sylvania in 2009 and in 2011 was appointed as Executive
Officer: Finance for the South African operations. Lewanne has
gained substantial and diverse experience in the various aspects of
financial management at a senior level, with a particular focus on
compliance, governance and financial reporting, including investor
relations whilst also taking a leadership role in corporate finance
transactions.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Registered and postal Sylvania Platinum Limited
address:
Clarendon House
2 Church Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda
SA Operations postal PO Box 976
address:
Florida Hills, 1716
South Africa
Sylvania Website : www.sylvaniaplatinum.com
CONTACT DETAILS
For further information, please
contact:
Terence McConnachie (Chief Executive
Officer) +44 777 533 7175
Nominated Advisor and Broker
Liberum Capital Limited +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Richard Crawley / Ed Phillips
Communications
Alma PR Limited +44 (0) 20 3405 0208
Josh Royston / Helena Bogle
This announcement is released by Sylvania Platinum Limited and
contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the
Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in
accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of
MAR.
For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing
Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is being made on
behalf of the Company by Terence McConnachie .
ANNEXURE
GLOSSARY OF TERMS FY2020
The following definitions apply throughout the period:
4E PGM ounces include the precious metal elements Platinum,
4E PGMs Palladium, Rhodium and Gold
6E ounces include the 4E elements plus additional Iridium
6E PGMs and Ruthenium
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AGM Annual General Meeting
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange
---------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in sustaining Production costs plus all costs relating to sustaining current
cost production and sustaining capital expenditure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in sustaining cost plus non-sustaining and expansion capital
All-in cost expenditure
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMCU Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ASX Australian Securities Exchange
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus Shares Sylvania Platinum Limited Bonus Share Award Plan
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CEO Chief Executive Officer
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CFO Chief Financial Officer
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CGU Cash generating unit
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh chrome tails from current operating host mines processing
Current risings operations
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DMR Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EA Environmental Authorisation
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EIR Effective interest rate
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EMPR Environmental Management Programme Report
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FAM Forward Africa Mining (Pty) Ltd
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FD Financial Director
---------------------------------------------------------------------
GBP Great British Pound
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IASB International Accounting Standards Board
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IFRIC International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I&APs Interested and Affected Parties
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ironveld Ironveld Plc
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IRR Internal Rate of Return
---------------------------------------------------------------------
JV Joint venture
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and
LEDET Tourism
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Phoenix Platinum Mining Proprietary Limited, renamed Sylvania
Lesedi Lesedi
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LSE London Stock Exchange
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LTI Lost time injury
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MAR Market Abuse Regulations (EU) 596/2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MD Managing Director
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MF2 Milling and flotation technology
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MPRDA Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MRA Mining Right Application
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MTO Mining Titles Office
---------------------------------------------------------------------
NOMR New Order Mining Right
---------------------------------------------------------------------
NWA National Water Act 36 of 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Plan Sylvania Platinum Limited Share Option Plan
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Platinum group metals comprising mainly platinum, palladium,
PGM rhodium and gold
---------------------------------------------------------------------
PAR Pan African Resources Plc
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Phoenix Platinum Mining Proprietary Limited, renamed Sylvania
Phoenix Lesedi
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pipeline ounces 6E ounces delivered but not invoiced
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue recognised for ounces delivered, but not yet invoiced
Pipeline revenue based on contractual timelines
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pipeline sales Adjustments to pipeline revenues based on the basket price
adjustment for the period between delivery and invoicing
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Programme Sylvania Platinum Share Buyback Programme
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Echo Secondary PGM Milling and Flotation (MF2) program announced
in FY2017 to design and install additional new additional
fine grinding mills and flotation circuits at Millsell, Doornbosch,
Tweefontein and Mooinooi.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue (by products) Revenue earned on Ruthenium, Iridium, Nickel and Copper
---------------------------------------------------------------------
RoM Run of mine
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Samancor Samancor Chrome Limited
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SDO Sylvania dump operations
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Common shares
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sylvania Sylvania Platinum Limited, a company incorporated in Bermuda
---------------------------------------------------------------------
USD United States Dollar
---------------------------------------------------------------------
WULA Water Use Licence Application
---------------------------------------------------------------------
UK United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ZAR South African Rand
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IR KZGMZVNZGGZG
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 17, 2020 02:01 ET (07:01 GMT)
Sylvania Platinum (LSE:SLP)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024
Sylvania Platinum (LSE:SLP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2023 to Jun 2024