TIDMSLP
RNS Number : 8264F
Sylvania Platinum Limited
31 October 2018
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
31 October 2018
Sylvania Platinum Limited
("Sylvania", "the Company" or "the Group")
AIM (SLP)
First Quarter Report to 30 September 2018
The Directors are pleased to present the results for the quarter
ended 30 September 2018 ("Q1" or the "quarter"). Unless otherwise
stated, the consolidated financial information contained in this
report is presented in USD.
Achievements
-- 19,137 4E PGM ounces produced in Q1;
-- Group EBITDA of $7.1 million;
-- Total operating costs down 2% in ZAR terms and 12% in USD quarter on quarter;
-- Cash balance up 26% quarter on quarter to $17.7 million from $14.0 million;
-- Capital expenditure in line with planned expansion for Project Echo;
-- Millsell operation achieved four years lost time injury (LTI) free during the quarter; and
-- Completed the non-UK Shareholders buy-back program on 24
August 2018 and a total of 2,407,481 shares were cancelled.
Challenges
-- Utility infrastructure and supply of power continues to
present challenges to existing operations and the execution of
expansion projects;
-- The consistently low Platinum price continues to put pressure
on the gross basket price, although weaker ZAR and strong Palladium
and Rhodium prices are mitigating factors; and
-- Lower recovery efficiencies at Millsell MF2 module, due to
challenges with fines flotation mechanisms, are currently being
upgraded.
Opportunities
-- Project Echo MF2 module for Mooinooi on track for commissioning in H2 FY2019;
-- Relocation of redundant Steelpoort chrome circuit to Lesedi
in progress to improve chrome removal ahead of flotation and to
enable higher PGM feed; and
-- Company continues to generate sufficient cash reserves to fund capital expansion projects.
Commenting on the Q1 results, Sylvania's CEO Terry McConnachie
said:
"The SDO teams have once again performed consistently by
producing 19,137 ounces this quarter, the second highest quarterly
production in the history of the Company. Preceded by last
quarter's production record, this period was impacted by some
operational instability and 'teething' issues at Doornbosch and
Mooinooi, which have since been resolved and Management continues
to focus on optimisation initiatives on operations. As promised, we
have endeavoured to keep costs controlled and our cash reserves
remain at a level which will enable the Company to continue to fund
capital projects and Project Echo moving forward."
USD Unit Unaudited Unit ZAR
Q4 FY2018 Q1 FY2019 % Change % Change Q1 FY2019 Q4 FY2018
---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------
Production
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
643,019 635,051 -1% T Plant Feed T -1% 635,051 643,019
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
2.46 2.44 -1% g/t Feed Head Grade g/t -1% 2.44 2.46
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
338,167 328,127 -3% T PGM Plant Feed Tons T -3% 328,127 338,167
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
3.75 3.75 0% g/t PGM Plant Feed Grade g/t 0% 3.75 3.75
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
49.67% 48.39% -3% % PGM Plant Recovery % -3% 48.39% 49.67%
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
20,278 19,137 -6% Oz Total 4E PGMs Oz -6% 19,137 20,278
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
27,062 25,723 -5% Oz Total 6E PGMs Oz -5% 25,723 27,062
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
Average gross basket
1,167 1,149 -2% $/oz price R/oz 5% 16,263 15,509
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
Financials
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
16,243 14,230 -12% $'000 Revenue (4E) R'000 -3% 200,032 205,372
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
1,653 1,634 -1% $'000 Revenue (by products) R'000 10% 22,964 20,905
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
2,195 1,370 -38% $'000 Sales adjustments R'000 -31% 19,261 27,756
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
20,092 17,234 -14% $'000 Net revenue R'000 -5% 242, 257 254,032
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
11,052 9,726 -12% $'000 Operating costs R'000 -2% 136,754 139,732
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
615 464 -25% $'000 General & administration R'000 -16% 6,524 7,773
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
8,600 7,075 -18% $'000 Group EBITDA R'000 -8% 99,477 108,682
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
65 182 180% $'000 Net Interest R'000 212% 2,560 820
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
3,914 3,785 -3% $'000 Net profit R'000 8% 53,220 49,489
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
1,508 1,205 -20% $'000 Capital Expenditure R'000 -11% 16,942 19,070
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
14,017 17,719 26% $'000 Cash Balance R'000 41% 249,126 177,217
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
R/$ Ave R/$ rate R/$ 11% 14.06 12.64
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
Unit Cost/Efficiencies
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
SDO Cash Cost Per
553 508 -8% $/oz 4E PGM oz R/oz 2% 7,137 6,996
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
SDO Cash Cost Per
415 378 -9% $/oz 6E PGM oz R/oz 1% 5,310 5,242
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
Group Cash Cost
562 531 -6% $/oz Per 4E PGM oz R/oz 5% 7,461 7,101
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
Group Cash Cost
421 395 -6% $/oz Per 6E PGM oz R/oz 4% 5,551 5,323
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
All-in sustaining
550 540 -2% $/oz cost (4E) R/oz 9% 7,592 6,953
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
612 593 -3% $/oz All-in cost (4E) R/oz 8% 8,338 7,740
---------- --------- ------ ------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ----------
1 The Sylvania cash generating subsidiaries are incorporated in
South Africa with the functional currency of these operations being
ZAR. Revenues from the sale of PGMs are incurred in 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, GBP and ZAR.
A. OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
Health, safety and environment
During the past quarter, the Millsell operation achieved the
significant safety milestone of being LTI- free for four years, and
all SDO operations performed well without any significant health or
environmental incidents during the period. Lesedi remains seven
years LTI-free, while Tweefontein and Doornbosch plants both remain
more than six years LTI-free.
Operational performance
The SDO delivered a solid performance of 19,137 ounces for Q1
which is the second highest quarterly performance for operations.
While PGM plant feed grade remained static quarter on quarter, the
PGM plant feed tons and recovery efficiency were both 3% lower,
resulting in a 6% decrease in PGM ounces compared to the Q4 FY2018
record performance.
The lower PGM plant feed tons were primarily due to the downtime
and feed instability associated with the commissioning of a new
process circuit at Doornbosch during the quarter as well as some
operational challenges at Mooinooi during September 2018 that have
since been resolved. PGM recovery efficiencies were impacted by a
lower percentage of fresh current arisings feed to some operations
compared to the previous quarter as well as oil-contaminated feed
material received at the Mooinooi operation that negatively
impacted the PGM flotation process.
The SDO cash costs for the period in ZAR terms increased 2% to
ZAR7,137/ounce, which was attributable to lower ounce production as
a result of lower than planned current arisings supplemented with
lower grade dump tons. In USD terms, cash costs decreased by 8% to
$508/ounce, assisted by an 11% weakening of the ZAR in the ZAR/USD
exchange rate during the period. Capital expenditure reduced 20%
quarter-on-quarter based on the current capital project schedule
and in line with Project Echo construction plan.
Operational focus areas
Operational challenges experienced at Millsell after the
commissioning of the Millsell MF2 module earlier this year resulted
in some design changes and upgrades to flotation mechanisms which
will enable improved PGM recoveries during Q2.
Process circuit modifications, utilising enhanced fine screening
technology for more efficient upgrading of PGMs, at Doornbosch,
Millsell and Tweefontein will be completed in Q2, and optimisation
of these new circuits will be done post-commissioning in order to
further improve PGM feed grades and ounce production.
Operational opportunities
The Project Echo MF2 module for Mooinooi, which is being
fast-tracked to counter the previously communicated delay in the
execution of the Tweefontein MF2 module of Project Echo, is
progressing well and is planned to enable SDO to deliver on the
Group production forecast of 76,000 to 78,000 ounces as announced
in the Annual Report in August 2018.
The Lesedi chrome plant project, comprising of the dismantling
and relocation of the redundant Steelpoort chrome circuit, has
commenced and is expected to be completed in the second half of the
financial year. This will enable chrome removal ahead of Lesedi's
PGM plant, aligned with the standard SDO operating model employed
at existing operations in the Group, and will contribute towards
higher PGM feed grades and ounce production at the operation.
B. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Financial performance
The gross basket price for PGMs for the quarter was
$1,149/ounce, a 2% decrease on Q4 FY2018 $1,167/ounce. The decrease
in ounces quarter on quarter as well as the slightly lower basket
price resulted in the net revenue dropping 14% to $17.2 million.
This is however in line with the Board's expectation for the
quarter.
The total operating costs decreased 2% in ZAR terms (the SDO
functional currency) to ZAR137.0 million compared to the ZAR140.0
million in Q4 FY2018. However, SDO cash costs per ounce increased
2% in ZAR terms from ZAR6,996/ounce to ZAR7,137ounce. The Group
cash cost increased 5% from ZAR7,101/ounce in Q4 FY2018 to
ZAR7,461/ounce, due to lower ounces in Q1 compared to Q4
FY2018.
The all-in sustaining cost for the Group increased by 9% against
Q4 FY2018 to ZAR7,592/ounce (Q4: ZAR6,953/ounce). The Group all-in
cost for the quarter is ZAR8,338/ounce, an 8% increase on the
ZAR7,740/ounce recorded in Q4 FY2018 due again to the lower
production quarter on quarter.
The Group general and administrative costs decreased 16% quarter
on quarter in ZAR terms from ZAR7.7 million to ZAR6.5 million.
The surplus cash held and invested in ZAR earned interest at an
average rate of 7%. This cash will be used to fund the balance of
Project Echo and other production optimisation projects. The
increase in cash invested resulted in an increase in the net
interest earned for the quarter.
The Group cash balance at 30 September 2018 was $17.7 million
(including guarantees), a $3.7 million increase on the previous
quarter's $14.0 million. Cash generated from operations before
working capital movements was $7.1 million with net changes in
working capital amounting to a decrease of $1.9 million due mainly
to the increase in trade debtors which have a four-month payment
pipeline. An amount of $1.2 million was spent on capital and the
impact of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held at the quarter
end was a reduction of $0.3 million.
Financial management
Sylvania reports and generates its revenues in USD, however the
operations' functional currency is ZAR. This requires strict
cashflow controls and management to ensure ongoing growth in cash
reserves. The Company remains committed to funding all planned
capital projects and expansion from internal cash reserves.
Platinum has remained in the $800 range during the quarter,
however Palladium has continued its steady increase over the
quarter, increasing 15% from July 2018 and averaging $951 for Q1.
Rhodium increased 10% from June to September 2018, and appears to
be continuing this upward trend. The increase in the by-product
metal prices has also assisted in keeping the basket price at a
favorable level, albeit lower than for the previous quarter.
In light of the current South African political environment, the
ZAR/USD exchange rate remains just as volatile trading above
ZAR14.00 to the USD for most of the quarter. Although not under
management's control, the metal prices and the ZAR/USD exchange
rate continue to be monitored.
C. EXPLORATION AND OPENCAST MINING PROJECTS
Northern Limb Projects
The Company has not pursued its exploration activities during
the quarter, but will continue to defend title as and when this
becomes necessary, until an improvement in market conditions
warrants further development.
D. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
Share buy-back programme
The Share Buyback Programme (the Programme) closed on 24 August
2018. The Company purchased 2,407,481 Ordinary $0.01 Shares
(Ordinary Shares) from small non-UK based shareholders at a price
of A$0.1619 per Ordinary Share, representing 57.6% of the shares on
offer under the Programme.
The shares purchased under the programme have been cancelled
bringing the Company's issued share capital to 290,241,404 Ordinary
Shares, of which a total of 4,206,885 Ordinary Shares are held in
treasury. The total number of Ordinary Shares with voting rights in
Sylvania is 286,034,519 Ordinary Shares.
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 / Chris Britton
Communications
Alma PR Limited +44 (0) 7580 216 203
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 FY2019
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
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ASX Australian Securities Exchange
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Fresh chrome tails from current operating host mines processing
Current risings operations
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DMR Department of Mineral Resources
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
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EA Environmental Authorisation
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EIR Effective interest rate
---------------------------------------------------------------------
EMPR Environmental Management Programme Report
---------------------------------------------------------------------
GBP Great British Pound
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IASB International Accounting Standards Board
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IFRIC International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee
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IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards
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I&APs Interested and Affected Parties
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Phoenix Platinum Mining Proprietary Limited, renamed Sylvania
Lesedi Lesedi
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LSE London Stock Exchange
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LTI Lost time injury
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MF2 Milling and flotation technology
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MPRDA Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act
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MRA Mining Right Application
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MTO Mining Titles Office
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NOMR New Order Mining Right
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NWA National Water Act 36 of 1998
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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
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SDO Sylvania dump operations
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Shares Common shares
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sylvania Sylvania Platinum Limited, a company incorporated in Bermuda
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USD United States Dollar
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WIP Work in progress
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WULA Water Use Licence Application
---------------------------------------------------------------------
UK United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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ZAR South African Rand
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END
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