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Wed 29 Jul 2009, 7:05 ACL - ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited - Reviewed group interim financial
ACL
ACL                                                                             
ACL - ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited - Reviewed group interim financial     
results for the six months ended 30 June 2009                                   
ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited                                              
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
Registration number: 1989/002164/06                                             
Share code: ACL       ISIN: ZAE 000134961                                       
("ArcelorMittal South Africa", "the company" or "the group")                    
The lifeblood of a developing nation                                            
Reviewed group interim financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2009  
Revenue down by 35% to R12 billion                                              
Loss from operations of R322 million                                            
Headline loss of R844 million                                                   
Condensed group income statement                                                
                                       Six months ended      Year ended         
                                30 June 09   30 June 08  31 December 08         
Reviewed     Reviewed         Audited         
                                        Rm           Rm              Rm         
Revenue                              11 960       18 403          39 914        
Raw materials and consumables       (6 903)      (8 078)        (18 556)        
used                                                                            
Employee costs                      (1 310)      (1 254)         (2 598)        
Energy                                (784)        (753)         (1 474)        
Movement in inventories of          (1 062)          798           1 844        
finished goods and work in                                                      
progress                                                                        
Impairment charge                                                  (121)        
Depreciation                          (572)        (657)         (1 310)        
Amortisation of intangible              (6)          (5)            (12)        
assets                                                                          
Other operating expenses            (1 645)      (3 099)         (5 528)        
(Loss)/profit from operations         (322)        5 355          12 159        
(Losses)/gains on changes in          (695)          377             637        
foreign exchange rates and                                                      
financial instruments (Note 4)                                                  
Interest income                         183          142             318        
Finance costs (Note 5)                (141)         (27)           (238)        
Income from investments                   1            1               3        
Income from equity-accounted             41          392             331        
investments (net of tax)                                                        
Impairment reversal                                                   36        
(Loss)/profit before tax              (933)        6 240          13 246        
Income tax expense (Note 6)              85      (1 669)         (3 865)        
(Loss)/profit for the period          (848)        4 571           9 381        
Attributable to:                                                                
Owners of the company                 (848)        4 571           9 381        
(Loss)/earnings per share                                                       
(cents)                                                                         
- basic                               (190)        1 025           2 105        
- diluted                             (190)        1 022           2 097        
Condensed group statement of comprehensive income                               
                                       Six months ended      Year ended         
30 June 09   30 June 08  31 December 08         
                                  Reviewed     Reviewed         Audited         
                                        Rm           Rm              Rm         
(Loss)/profit for the period          (848)        4 571           9 381        
Other comprehensive income                                                      
Exchange differences on               (318)          204             591        
translation of foreign                                                          
operations                                                                      
Loss on available-for-sale                          (12)            (71)        
investment taken to equity                                                      
Movement in gains or losses             117           36            (91)        
deferred to equity on cash                                                      
flow hedges                                                                     
Income tax on                          (33)         (11)              25        
(expenses)/income taken                                                         
directly to equity                                                              
Total comprehensive                 (1 082)        4 788           9 835        
(loss)/income for the period                                                    
Attributable to:                                                                
Owners of the company               (1 082)        4 788           9 835        
Condensed group statement of financial position                                 
                                                  As at           As at         
                                30 June 09   30 June 08  31 December 08         
                                  Reviewed     Reviewed         Audited         
Rm           Rm              Rm         
Assets                                                                          
Non-current assets                   18 321       17 682          18 159        
Property, plant and equipment        15 981       15 724          15 917        
Intangible assets                        66           63              71        
Unlisted equity-accounted             2 062        1 658           1 968        
investments (Note 7)                                                            
Other financial assets                  212          237             203        
Current assets                       11 658       15 736          19 276        
Inventories                           5 863        6 208           8 642        
Trade and other receivables           2 625        4 537           2 031        
Other financial assets                  163          147             174        
Cash and cash equivalents             3 007        4 844           8 429        
Total assets                         29 979       33 418          37 435        
Equity and liabilities                                                          
Shareholders` equity                 21 360       24 402          27 995        
Stated capital                           37           37              37        
Non-distributable reserves          (2 616)        1 271           1 503        
Retained income                      23 939       23 094          26 455        
Non-current liabilities               4 751        4 436           4 774        
Borrowings and other payables            31           41              46        
Finance lease obligations               623          317             314        
Deferred income tax liability         2 301        2 475           2 526        
Provision for post-retirement             8            7               9        
medical costs                                                                   
Non-current provisions                1 788        1 596           1 879        
Current liabilities                   3 868        4 580           4 666        
Trade and other payables              3 245        4 142           3 384        
Borrowings and other payables            10           10              33        
Finance lease obligations                38           68              40        
Other financial liability                39           29             157        
Taxation                                310           53             780        
Current provisions                      226          278             272        
Total equity and liabilities         29 979       33 418          37 435        
Notes to the reviewed condensed consolidated financial statements               
1.   Basis of preparation                                                       
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been           
   prepared in compliance with the Listings Requirements of the JSE             
   Limited, International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, Interim                 
   Financial Reporting and Schedule 4 of the South African Companies            
Act, No. 61 of 1973, as amended.                                             
2.   Significant accounting policies                                            
    The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been           
   prepared using accounting policies that comply with International            
Financial Reporting Standards. The accounting policies and methods           
   of computation applied in the presentation of the interim financial          
   statements are consistent with those applied for the year ended 31           
   December 2008.                                                               
3.   Independent review by the auditors                                         
    The condensed consolidated interim results have been reviewed by            
   our auditors, Deloitte & Touche in accordance with International             
   Standard on Review Engagement 2410. Their unmodified review report           
is available for inspection at the registered office of the                  
   company.                                                                     
                                        Six months ended      Year ended        
                                 30 June 09   30 June 08  31 December 08        
Reviewed     Reviewed         Audited         
                                        Rm           Rm              Rm         
4.   (Losses)/gains on changes         (695)          377             637       
   in foreign exchange rates                                                    
and financial instruments                                                    
    Gains on changes in                 105          394             901        
   foreign exchange rates                                                       
    Losses on changes in              (777)         (15)           (256)        
foreign exchange rates                                                       
    (Losses)/gains on changes           (7)          (3)               2        
   in the fair value of                                                         
   derivative instruments                                                       
designated as fair value                                                     
   through profit or loss                                                       
    Fair value (losses)/gains          (16)            1            (10)        
   transferred from equity                                                      
on ineffective derivative                                                    
   instruments designated as                                                    
   cash flow hedges                                                             
5.   Finance costs                       141           27             238       
Interest expense on bank              5           12              13        
   overdrafts and loans                                                         
    Fees on loan facilities              15                                     
    Interest expense on                  38           22              46        
finance lease obligations                                                    
    Discounting rate                   (15)                            8        
   adjustment of the non-                                                       
   current provision                                                            
Unwinding of the                     98          (7)             171        
   discounting effect in the                                                    
   present valued carrying                                                      
   amount of non-current                                                        
provisions                                                                   
6.   Income tax expense                                                         
    Income tax is accrued                                                       
   based on the estimated                                                       
average annual effective                                                     
   income tax rate of -9.1%,                                                    
   including STC (Six months                                                    
   ended 30 June 2008:                                                          
26.7%)                                                                       
7.   Unlisted equity-accounted                                                  
   investments                                                                  
    Directors` valuation of           2 327        1 774           2 001        
unlisted equity accounted                                                    
   investments                                                                  
8.   Dividend paid                                                              
    Cash dividend                     1 627          874           2 398        
9.   Capital expenditure                                                        
    - incurred                          339          857           1 832        
    - authorised and                    658        1 169             930        
   contracted                                                                   
- authorised but not                845        1 237           1 227        
   contracted                                                                   
10.  Contingent liabilities              705          736             705       
    - guarantees                          1           32               1        
- amounts in legal trust             12           12              12        
   accounts                                                                     
    - litigation and claims             692          692             692        
11.  Operating lease                     114          132             156       
commitments                                                                  
    - less than one year                 69           46              79        
    - more than one year and             45           86              77        
   less than five years                                                         
12.  Related-party transactions                                                 
    The group is controlled by Mittal Steel Holdings A.G. which owns            
   52.02% of the company`s shares. During the period the company and            
   its subsidiaries, in the ordinary course of business, entered into           
various sale and purchase transactions with associates and joint             
   ventures. These transactions occurred under terms that are no less           
   favourable than those arranged with third parties.                           
13.  Corporate governance                                                       
The group fully supports the Code on Corporate Practices and                
   Conduct as contained in the second King Report on Corporate                  
   Governance.                                                                  
Unaudited supplementary physical information (`000 tonnes)                      
Six months ended      Year ended         
                                30 June 09   30 June 08  31 December 08         
Flat Carbon Steel Products                                                      
Liquid steel production               1 526        2 250           4 084        
Sales                                 1 347        1 832           3 412        
Long Carbon Steel Products                                                      
Liquid steel production                 851          841           1 690        
Sales                                   721          898           1 677        
Total                                                                           
Liquid steel production               2 377        3 091           5 774        
Sales                                 2 068        2 730           5 089        
- domestic                            1 389        2 391           4 375        
- export                                679          339             714        
Domestic sales as percentage             67           88              86        
of total sales (%)                                                              
Group statement of changes in equity                                            
Non-distributable reserves                      
              Stated Treasury    Capital Management  Share- Attributable        
             capital  reserve redemption      share   based reserves of         
                  Rm       Rm    reserve      trust payment     equity-         
Rm         Rm reserve   accounted         
                                                         Rm investments         
                                                                     Rm         
Balance at 1       37                  23      (149)      62         820        
January 2008                                                                    
Total                                                                           
comprehensive                                                                   
income for                                                                      
the period                                                                      
(net of                                                                         
income tax)                                                                     
Management                                     (108)                            
share trust:                                                                    
net treasury                                                                    
share                                                                           
purchases                                                                       
Share options                                             13                    
charge:IFRS 2                                                                   
Dividend                                                                        
Transfer of                                                          392        
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
earnings                                                                        
Balance at         37                  23      (257)      75       1 212        
30 June 2008                                                                    
(reviewed)                                                                      
Total                                                                           
comprehensive                                                                   
income for                                                                      
the period                                                                      
(net of                                                                         
income tax)                                                                     
Management                                        50                            
share trust:                                                                    
net treasury                                                                    
share                                                                           
purchases                                                                       
Share options                                             20                    
charge: IFRS                                                                    
2                                                                               
Dividend                                                                        
Transfer of                                                         (75)        
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
losses                                                                          
Balance at 31      37                  23      (207)      95       1 137        
December 2008                                                                   
(audited)                                                                       
Total                                                                           
comprehensive                                                                   
income for                                                                      
the period                                                                      
(net of                                                                         
income tax)                                                                     
Management                                       (2)                            
share trust:                                                                    
net treasury                                                                    
share                                                                           
purchases                                                                       
Share options                                             17                    
charge:IFRS 2                                                                   
Dividend                                                                        
Share of non-                                                                   
distributable                                                                   
reserves of                                                                     
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
investments                                                                     
Repurchase of          (3 918)                                                  
shares                                                                          
Transfer of                                                           41        
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
earnings                                                                        
Balance at         37  (3 918)         23      (209)     112       1 178        
30 June 2009                                                                    
(reviewed)                                                                      
                                                                                
Group statement of changes in equity                                            
             Non-distributable reserves                                         
Non-         Financial  Trans-      Cash flow  Re-     Total       
            distribut-   assets     lation      hedge      tained  Share-       
            able         available- of foreign  account-   income  holders`     
            reserves     for-sale   operations  ing        Rm      equity       
of equity    Rm         Rm          Rm                Rm            
            accounted                                                           
            investments                                                         
            Rm                                                                  
Balance at 1                      62        (7)      (54) 19 789   20 583       
January 2008                                                                    
Total                           (12)        204        25  4 571    4 788       
comprehensive                                                                   
income for                                                                      
the period                                                                      
(net of                                                                         
income tax)                                                                     
Management                                                          (108)       
share trust:                                                                    
net treasury                                                                    
share                                                                           
purchases                                                                       
Share options                                                          13       
charge:IFRS 2                                                                   
Dividend                                                   (874)    (874)       
Transfer of                                                (392)                
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
earnings                                                                        
Balance at                        50        197      (29) 23 094   24 402       
30 June 2008                                                                    
(reviewed)                                                                      
Total                           (59)        387      (91)  4 810    5 047       
comprehensive                                                                   
income for                                                                      
the period                                                                      
(net of                                                                         
income tax)                                                                     
Management                                                             50       
share trust:                                                                    
net treasury                                                                    
share                                                                           
purchases                                                                       
Share options                                                          20       
charge:IFRS 2                                                                   
Dividend                                                  (1 524)  (1 524)      
Transfer of                                                   75                
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
losses                                                                          
Balance at 31                    (9)        584     (120) 26 455   27 995       
December 2008                                                                   
(audited)                                                                       
Total                                     (318)        84  (848)  (1 082)       
comprehensive                                                                   
income for                                                                      
the period                                                                      
(net of                                                                         
income tax)                                                                     
Management                                                            (2)       
share trust:                                                                    
net treasury                                                                    
share                                                                           
purchases                                                                       
Share options                                                          17       
charge:IFRS 2                                                                   
Dividend                                                  (1 627)  (1 627)      
Share of non- (23)                                                   (23)       
distributable                                                                   
reserves of                                                                     
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
investments                                                                     
Repurchase of                                                     (3 918)       
shares                                                                          
Transfer of                                                 (41)                
equity-                                                                         
accounted                                                                       
earnings                                                                        
Balance at    (23)               (9)        266      (36) 23 939   21 360       
30 June 2009                                                                    
(reviewed)                                                                      
                                                                                
Condensed group statement of cash flows                                         
                                         Six months ended    Year ended         
30 June 09 30 June 08 31 December 08        
                                      Reviewed   Reviewed       Audited         
                                            Rm         Rm            Rm         
Cash (out)/inflows from operating         (119)      1 347         5 511        
activities                                                                      
Cash generated from operations            2 051      3 849        10 939        
Interest income                             183        142           318        
Finance cost                               (58)       (34)          (59)        
Dividend paid (Note 8)                  (1 627)      (874)       (2 398)        
Income tax paid                           (640)    (1 757)       (3 087)        
Realised foreign exchange movement         (28)         21         (202)        
Cash outflows from investing              (743)      (854)       (1 813)        
activities                                                                      
Investment to maintain operations         (235)      (629)       (1 413)        
Investment to expand operations           (104)      (228)         (419)        
Proceeds from disposals of                               2             2        
property, plant and equipment                                                   
Investments acquired in associate         (405)                                 
Investment income - interest                  1          1             3        
Dividend from equity-accounted                                        14        
investments                                                                     
Net cash (out)/inflow                     (862)        493         3 698        
Cash outflows from financing            (3 915)       (50)         (121)        
activities                                                                      
Repayment of borrowings and finance           3       (50)         (121)        
lease obligations                                                               
Repurchase of shares                    (3 918)                                 
(Decrease)/increase in cash and         (4 777)        443         3 577        
cash equivalents                                                                
Effect of foreign exchange rate           (645)        367           818        
changes                                                                         
Cash and cash equivalents at              8 429      4 034         4 034        
beginning of period                                                             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of       3 007      4 844         8 429        
period                                                                          
Segment revenue                                                                 
Six months ended    Year ended         
                                    30 June 09 30 June 08 31 December 08        
                                      Reviewed   Reviewed       Audited         
                                            Rm         Rm            Rm         
Flat Carbon Steel Products                                                      
- external sales                          7 627     11 305        24 447        
- inter-segment sales                       128        737         1 066        
Long Carbon Steel Products                                                      
- external sales                          3 901      5 241        11 936        
- inter-segment sales                       162        514         1 014        
Coke and Chemicals                                                              
- external sales                            432      1 822         3 496        
- inter-segment sales                        27         37            67        
Adjustments and eliminations              (317)    (1 253)       (2 112)        
Total revenue                            11 960     18 403        39 914        
Distributed as:                                                                 
- Local                                   9 263     16 651        34 931        
- Export                                                                        
Africa                                    1 627      1 186         2 752        
Europe                                       57         41           323        
Asia                                        959        478         1 696        
Other                                        54         47           212        
All of the segment revenue reported above is from external customers.           
Segment (loss)/profit from operations                                           
Six months ended    Year ended         
                                    30 June 09 30 June 08 31 December 08        
                                      Reviewed   Reviewed       Audited         
                                            Rm         Rm            Rm         
Operating (loss)/profit before                                                  
depreciation, amortisation and                                                  
impairments                                                                     
- Flat Carbon Steel Products               (99)      3 473         8 112        
- Long Carbon Steel Products                111      1 572         3 993        
- Coke and Chemicals                        123        946         1 781        
- Corporate and Other                       121         26         (284)        
Depreciation and amortisation                                                   
- Flat Carbon Steel Products              (478)      (574)       (1 105)        
- Long Carbon Steel Products              (123)       (92)         (200)        
- Coke and Chemicals                       (28)       (19)          (38)        
- Corporate and Other                        51         23            21        
Impairment charge                                                               
- Long Carbon Steel Products                                       (121)        
(Loss)/profit from operations                                                   
- Flat Carbon Steel Products              (577)      2 899         7 007        
-  Long Carbon Steel Products              (12)      1 480         3 672        
- Coke and Chemicals                         95        927         1 743        
- Corporate and Other                       172         49         (263)        
(Loss)/profit from operations             (322)      5 355        12 159        
Segment asset                                                                   
                                                    As at         As at         
                                    30 June 09 30 June 08 31 December 08        
                                      Reviewed   Reviewed       Audited         
Rm         Rm            Rm         
Flat Carbon Steel Products               18 845     20 488        20 198        
Long Carbon Steel Products                4 870      5 326         5 097        
Coke and Chemicals                        1 093      1 177         1 130        
Corporate and Other                       5 171      6 427        11 010        
Total                                    29 979     33 418        37 435        
Salient features                                                                
                                         Six months ended    Year ended         
30 June 09 30 June 08 31 December 08        
                                      Reviewed   Reviewed       Audited         
                                            Rm         Rm            Rm         
Reconciliation of earnings before                                               
interest, taxation, depreciation                                                
and amortisation (EBITDA)                                                       
(Loss)/profit from operations             (322)      5 355        12 159        
Adjusted for:                                                                   
- Impairment charge                                                  121        
- Depreciation                              572        657         1 310        
- Amortisation of intangible assets           6          5            12        
EBITDA                                      256      6 017        13 602        
Reconciliation of headline                                                      
(loss)/earnings                                                                 
(Loss)/profit for the period              (848)      4 571         9 381        
Adjusted for:                                                                   
- Loss on disposal or scrapping of            5          7            39        
assets                                                                          
- Impairment charge                                                  121        
- Impairment reversal                                               (36)        
- Tax effect                                (1)        (2)          (21)        
Headline (loss)/earnings                  (844)      4 576         9 484        
Headline (loss)/earnings per share                                              
(cents)                                                                         
- basic                                   (190)      1 027         2 128        
- diluted                                 (189)      1 023         2 120        
Selected ratios (%)                                                             
EBITDA margin                               2,1       32,7          34,1        
Return on ordinary shareholders`                                                
equity per annum                                                                
- attributable earnings                   (6,9)       40,6          38,6        
- headline earnings                       (6,8)       40,7          39,0        
Net cash to equity                         13,9       19,6          29,8        
Share statistics                                                                
Ordinary shares (thousands)                                                     
- in issue                              401 202    445 752       445 752        
- weighted average number of shares     445 260    445 752       445 752        
- diluted weighted average number       445 675    447 354       447 433        
of shares                                                                       
Share price (closing) (R)                 95,50     223,00         88,45        
Market capitalisation (Rm)               38 315     99 403        39 427        
Net asset value per share (cents)         5 324      5 474         6 280        
Dividend per share (cents)                                                      
- interim                                              342           342        
- final                                                              365        
Financial review                                                                
ArcelorMittal South Africa has posted a headline loss of R844 million for the   
first six months of 2009, as the depressed market conditions, evident since     
September last year, continued to impact on the company`s performance. The      
strengthening of the Rand also adversely affected results. The first half loss  
compares with a R4 576 million profit for the corresponding period last year and
a profit of R4 908 million for the second half of 2008.                         
The company`s total steel sales for the first six months of 2009 were 2.1       
million tonnes, 24% down on the corresponding period last year and 12% lower    
than the previous six months.                                                   
Net realised selling prices for the first half of this year were on average 35% 
lower than in the preceding six months and 9% down on the corresponding period  
last year. Costs remained high as coking coal inventories received at high      
prices, will only run out towards the middle of the third quarter. The cash cost
of production for hot rolled coil decreased by 3% compared to the preceding six 
months and billets by 7%. However, compared to the first six months of last year
hot rolled coil cash costs were up by 28% and billets by 18%.                   
The decline in earnings was further aggravated by lower income from the Coke and
Chemicals business following a slump in demand for market coke from the ferro-  
alloy industry. The company also made substantial losses on foreign currency    
translation as the Rand strengthened significantly against the US Dollar during 
the first half of this year, whereas it had weakened throughout 2008 against the
US currency.                                                                    
Quarterly headline                                                              
earnings/(loss) (unaudited)                                                     
Quarter to                                US$m            Rm    Exchange        
                                                                   rate         
March 2007                                 211         1 530        7.24        
June 2007                                  229         1 624        7.10        
Average                                    220         1 577        7.17        
September 2007                             148         1 055        7.11        
December 2007                              226         1 532        6.77        
Average                                    187         1 294        6.94        
March 2008                                 265         2 003        7.55        
June 2008                                  330         2 573        7.79        
Average                                    298         2 288        7.67        
September 2008                             485         3 772        7.78        
December 2008                              114         1 136        9.93        
Average                                    300         2 454        8.86        
March 2009                                (24)         (237)        9.96        
June 2009                                 (72)         (607)        8.48        
Average                                   (48)         (422)        9.22        
                                                                                
Market review                                                                   
International market                                                            
International demand for steel, as well as the price of steel products, remained
depressed during the first half of this year. However, towards the end of the   
second quarter there were early signs of a slight improvement in steel demand   
for quarter three. These included an easing of the recession in the US, where   
steel production and prices have started to creep up, and the continued strength
of steel demand in China on the back of the country`s fiscal and monetary       
stimulus packages. It is also apparent that inventory de-stocking is essentially
completed, leading to increased demand for steel products in a number of        
regions.                                                                        
World crude steel production between January and May 2009 decreased by 22.6%    
compared to a year ago. In advanced industrial countries output was 42.4% down  
year-on-year, while production levels for the rest of the world (excluding      
China) fell 27%. Production in China remained steady.                           
ArcelorMittal South Africa`s exports doubled from 339 000 tonnes a year ago to  
679 000 tonnes in the first half of this year and increased by 304000 tonnes    
(81%) on the preceding six months.                                              
Domestic market                                                                 
The company`s domestic steel sales for the first six months of 2009 were 1.389  
million tonnes, 30% down on the previous six months and 42% lower than the      
corresponding period last year. Having recorded two consecutive quarters of     
negative growth, the South African economy is now officially in a recession -   
the first in 18 years. The country`s real gross domestic product contracted at  
an annualised rate of 6.4% during the first quarter 2009, following a decline of
1.8% in the fourth quarter 2008. The sharp economic downturn is particularly    
evident in the performance of the country`s export orientated sectors, further  
aggravated by the strong Rand which impacts negatively on their ability to      
compete internationally.                                                        
Tight credit conditions, destocking and the uncertain economic outlook continued
to depress domestic sales in the first half of 2009, although order intake      
started to improve during the second quarter as the rundown of inventory levels 
ended.                                                                          
Operational review                                                              
Liquid steel production for the first six months of 2009 totalled 2.4 million   
tonnes, a decrease of 23% compared to the corresponding period last year and 11%
lower than in the second half of 2008. Production levels in the fourth quarter  
of 2008 fell to below 50% of total capacity, but output picked up to levels of  
around 60% of capacity in the first six months of 2009. This is expected to     
increase to levels of around 75% during the third quarter of 2009.              
A burn through at the emergency tap hole at Saldanha Works` Corex plant in early
May led to an estimated loss of 100 000 tonnes of liquid steel. The Corex plant 
has been repaired and is being ramped up to full production.                    
Safety, health and environment                                                  
The lost time injury frequency rate improved to 1.8 (injuries per million man   
hours worked) compared to 2.6 at the end of the first quarter. There have been  
no fatal incidents at the company`s operations so far this year. Sustaining and 
improving this performance remains one of our key priorities.                   
Environmental matters also feature prominently in the company`s priority list,  
though the severe impact of the global economic crisis has necessitated that    
capital spending on some environmental projects be postponed. Nevertheless, we  
are nearing completion on two crucial projects that will improve the company`s  
environmental impact:                                                           
* The installation of a dust extraction system at the steelmaking facilities at 
the Vereeniging operation is progressing well and the project is scheduled for  
completion by the end of this year.                                             
* The coke oven gas and water cleaning project at Vanderbijlpark Works has      
experienced some commissioning delays, but should be operational during the     
latter part of 2009. The project will achieve a 40% reduction in SO2 emissions  
at the plant.                                                                   
The company is co-operating fully with the Green Scorpions, which has inspected 
all the company`s production facilities over the past two years. The most recent
inspection was at Saldanha Works in March this year.                            
Capital projects                                                                
The two new direct reduction kilns at Vanderbijlpark Works were successfully    
commissioned in the second quarter. These kilns will enable the operation to    
become less reliant on scrap as feedstock to the electric arc furnaces, while at
the same time adding 220 000 tonnes of liquid steel to its manufacturing        
capacity.                                                                       
As announced on 7 April 2009, ArcelorMittal South Africa acquired a 16.31%      
shareholding in Coal of Africa Limited from its holding company for R405        
million. The purchase consideration was based on the 15-day volume weighted     
average price at which the shares traded on the JSE Limited to the close of     
business on 31 March 2009. The transaction will secure part of the company`s    
future coal needs, thus mitigating one of the key input costs. As part of the   
transaction, the company has an option to enter into an off-take agreement for  
an annual supply of 2.5 million tonnes of metallurgical coking coal.            
Contingent liabilities                                                          
In the case brought before the Competition Tribunal (the "Tribunal") by gold    
miners Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited and DRD Gold Limited alleging        
excessive pricing by ArcelorMittal South Africa, the Competition Appeal Court   
ruled on 29 May 2009 to set aside the decision and order by the Tribunal. The   
Competition Appeal Court remitted the matter back to the Tribunal to hear       
further specified evidence and determine, by assessing evidence that has already
been tabled, whether the company contravened section 8(a) of the Competition Act
89 of 1998 in respect of the prices it charged for flat steel products in the   
domestic market. The Tribunal also needs to determine any consequent relief as a
result of its assessment. The administrative penalty imposed by the Tribunal of 
R692 million remains disclosed as a contingent liability and no provision has   
been made.                                                                      
In another case brought before the Tribunal by Barnes Fencing Industries        
Limited, relating to alleged price and payment discrimination on the sale of low
carbon wire rod products, a date for the plea hearing and the beginning of the  
initial proceedings is awaited.                                                 
Share buy-back                                                                  
The company announced in its first quarter 2009 earnings release that it        
intended to repurchase approximately 10% of issued ArcelorMittal South Africa   
shares from ArcelorMittal South Africa shareholders on a pro rata basis, in     
terms of section 89 of the Companies Act, No. 61 of 1973, as amended.           
The company is pleased to announce that 44 550 255 shares representing 10% of   
its issued share capital were successfully repurchased, at a total value of R3, 
9 billion.                                                                      
Company secretary                                                               
C Singh resigned as company secretary with effect from 30 April 2009. Premium   
Corporate Consulting Services (Proprietary) Limited was appointed as company    
secretary, effective 8 May 2009.                                                
Outlook for quarter three 2009                                                  
After reporting a loss over the past six months, results in the third quarter of
2009 are expected to improve on the back of higher domestic and international   
sales volumes and prices.                                                       
Domestic demand is expected to rise during the third quarter as de-stocking by  
customers ended at the end of the second quarter, though still well below the   
average levels of last year. The decline in economic growth in the first half of
2009 is set to slow in the second half. This is on the back of a moderate       
improvement in the international economy and government`s commitment to continue
with its infrastructure programme.                                              
Movement in the exchange rate will also have an important impact on earnings.   
On behalf of the board of directors                                             
NMC Nyembezi-Heita (Chief Executive Officer)                                    
HJ Verster (Executive Director Finance)                                         
27 July 2009                                                                    
Forward looking statements                                                      
Statements in this release that are neither reported financial results nor other
historical information, are forward-looking statements, including but not       
limited to statements that are predictions of or indicate future earnings,      
savings, synergies, events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should  
not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to  
risks and uncertainties whose impact could cause actual results and company     
plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements (or from past results).                              
Registered Office: ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Room N3-5, Main Building,
Delfos Boulevard, Vanderbijlpark 1911                                           
Directors: Non-executive: Dr KDK Mokhele (Chairman)*, DK Chugh#,                
CPD Cornier, EK Diack*, S Maheshwari#, LP Mondi, DCG Murray*, MJNNjeke*, ND     
Orleyn*, AMHO Poupart-Lafarge Executive: NMC Nyembezi-Heita (Chief Executive    
Officer), Dr LGJJ Bonteo (President), HJ Verster (Executive Director Finance)   
*Independent non-executive #Citizen of India Citizen of France oCitizen of      
Belgium                                                                         
Company Secretary: Premium Corporate Consulting Services (Proprietary) Limited  
Sponsor: Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited,                        
87 Maude Street, Sandton, 2146 Private Bag X9933, Sandton 2143                  
Transfer Secretaries: Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited, 70 
Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001 P.O. Box 61051, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 
2107                                                                            
This report is available on the ArcelorMittal South Africa`s Web site at:       
http://www.arcelormittal.com/southafrica/                                       
Share queries: Please call the ArcelorMittal South Africa share care toll free  
on 0800 006 960 or +27 11 370 7850                                              
Vanderbijlpark                                                                  
29 June 2009                                                                    
Sponsor to ArcelorMittal South Africa                                           
Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited                                  
Date: 29/07/2009 07:05:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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