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Mon 28 Feb 2011, 8:00 NHM - Northam Platinum Limited - Reviewed interim results and dividend
NHM
NHM                                                                             
NHM - Northam Platinum Limited - Reviewed interim results and dividend          
declaration for the six months ended 31 December 2010                           
NORTHAM PLATINUM LIMITED                                                        
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number 1977/003282/06)                                            
Share code: NHM                                                                 
ISIN: ZAE000030912                                                              
("Northam Platinum" or "the company")                                           
Reviewed interim results and dividend declaration for the six months ended 31   
December 2010                                                                   
- Zondereinde strike hits production                                            
- Increase in concentrates purchased                                            
- Sales revenue decline held to 7.1%                                            
- Cash position remains healthy at R968 million                                 
                                                 Change     *Six months ended   
%           31 Dec 2010   
                                                                         R000   
Interim consolidated statement of comprehensive                                 
income                                                                          
Sales revenue                                      (7.1)             1 614 063  
Cost of sales                                        3.0             1 546 932  
operating costs                                    (3.3)             1 058 466  
concentrates purchased                              19.8               365 148  
refining and other costs                          (37.7)                31 176  
depreciation and impairments                       (7.3)                77 407  
change in metal inventories                                             14 735  
Operating profit                                  (71.3)                67 131  
Share of earnings and distributions from associate(72.7)                 1 415  
Investment revenue                                (53.4)                50 397  
Sundry income/(expenditure)                                             11 891  
Profit before tax                                 (62.1)               130 834  
Taxation                                                                54 977  
Profit and comprehensive income for the period    (64.8)                75 857  
attributable to shareholders                                                    
Reconciliation of headline earnings and per share                               
information                                                                     
Profit and comprehensive income for the year                                    
attributable to shareholders                                            75 857  
(Profit)/loss on sale of property, plant and                                    
equipment                                                                 (84)  
Tax effect                                                                  24  
Headline earnings                                 (64.9)                75 797  
Earnings per share - cents                        (64.9)                  21.0  
Fully diluted earnings per share - cents          (65.0)                  20.9  
Headline earnings per share - cents               (64.9)                  21.0  
Fully diluted headline earnings per share - cents (65.1)                  20.9  
Dividends declared per share - cents                                       5.0  
Weighted average number of shares in issue                         360 747 809  
Fully diluted number of shares in issue                            362 498 431  
Number of shares in issue at year end                              361 258 500  
                                           *Six months ended     **Year ended   
31 Dec 2009      30 Jun 2010   
                                                        R000             R000   
Interim consolidated statement of                                               
comprehensive income                                                            
Sales revenue                                       1 736 599        3 945 083  
Cost of sales                                       1 502 517        3 160 108  
operating costs                                     1 094 088        2 230 369  
concentrates purchased                                304 772          735 090  
refining and other costs                               50 045           92 972  
depreciation and impairments                           83 482          167 346  
change in metal inventories                          (29 870)         (65 669)  
Operating profit                                      234 082          784 975  
Share of earnings and distributions from associate      5 174           12 440  
Investment revenue                                    108 034          167 655  
Sundry income/(expenditure)                           (1 831)            9 557  
Profit before tax                                     345 459          974 627  
Taxation                                              129 877          333 601  
Profit and comprehensive income for the period       215 582          641 026   
attributable to shareholders                                                    
Reconciliation of headline earnings and per                                     
share information                                                               
Profit and comprehensive income for the                                         
year attributable to shareholders                     215 582          641 026  
(Profit)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment    105            (822)  
Tax effect                                               (29)              230  
Headline earnings                                     215 658          640 434  
Earnings per share - cents                               59.9            177.9  
Fully diluted earnings per share - cents                 59.7            177.8  
Headline earnings per share - cents                      59.9            177.8  
Fully diluted headline earnings per share - cents        59.8            177.7  
Dividends declared per share - cents                     20.0             40.0  
Weighted average number of shares in issue        360 130 630      360 291 885  
Fully diluted number of shares in issue           360 880 248      360 464 496  
Number of shares in issue at year end             360 394 000      360 642 000  
                     *Six months ended     *Six months ended     **Year ended   
                           31 Dec 2010           31 Dec 2009      30 Jun 2010   
R000                  R000             R000   
Interim consolidated                                                            
statement of cash flows                                                         
Cash flows from                                                                 
operating activities            181 530               344 492          862 411  
Profit before taxation          130 834               345 459          974 627  
Depreciation and impairment      77 407                83 482          167 346  
Change in working capital      (68 391)              (28 538)         (90 675)  
Change in short-term provisions   3 555                 6 169            9 111  
Taxation paid                  (99 839)              (95 613)        (281 756)  
Decrease in investment                                                          
in escrow                        91 458                     -                -  
Other                            45 506                33 533           83 758  
Cash flow utilised in                                                           
investing activities          (349 062)             (154 195)        (395 965)  
Property, plant and                                                             
equipment                                                                       
additions to maintain                                                           
operations                    (125 465)              (98 722)        (231 481)  
additions to expand                                                             
operations                    (214 544)              (43 256)        (145 510)  
disposal proceeds                 2 742                 2 318            5 243  
Increase in investment                                                          
in associate                       792                  8 572           10 205  
Additions to land and                                                           
township development            (2 868)              (10 760)          (4 460)  
Increase in investments                                                         
held by Northam Platinum                                                        
Restoration Trust                                                               
Fund                            (1 039)               (1 063)          (2 366)  
Increase in investments                                                         
held by Environmental           (3 340)               (4 004)          (4 868)  
Contingency Fund                                                                
Increase in                                                                     
investments held by                                                             
Toro Employee                                                                   
Empowerment Trust               (5 340)               (7 280)         (22 728)  
Cash flows utilised                                                             
in financing activities        (51 293)             (136 321)        (200 640)  
Proceeds from issue                                                             
of shares                        20 835                 7 754           15 518  
Dividends paid                 (72 128)             (144 075)        (216 158)  
Net increase / (decrease)                                                       
in cash and cash equivalents  (218 825)                53 976          265 806  
Cash and cash                                                                   
equivalents at                                                                  
beginning of period           1 186 709               920 903          920 903  
Cash and cash equivalents                                                       
at end of period                967 884               974 879        1 186 709  
                     *Six months ended     *Six months ended     **Year ended   
                           31 Dec 2010           31 Dec 2009      30 Jun 2010   
                                  R000                  R000             R000   
Interim consolidated                                                            
statement of financial                                                          
position                                                                        
Non-current assets            8 244 778             7 808 125        7 971 624  
Property, plant and                                                             
equipment                     2 255 554             1 793 369        1 938 061  
Mining properties and                                                           
mineral resources             5 665 110             5 718 200        5 722 659  
Interest in associate           130 365               126 708          129 741  
Unlisted investments                  6                     6                6  
Township land and development    66 672                70 105           63 805  
Investments held by                                                             
Northam Platinum                                                                
Restoration Trust                                                               
Fund                             28 298                25 956           27 259  
Environmental                                                                   
Guarantee Investment             24 103                19 899           20 763  
Toro Employee                                                                   
Empowerment Trust                74 670                53 882           69 330  
Current assets                1 856 146             1 745 780        2 117 683  
Inventories                     504 657               490 841          521 462  
Trade and other receivables     365 787               207 817          318 054  
Investment in escrow                  -                72 243           91 458  
Receiver of revenue              17 818                     -                -  
Cash and cash                                                                   
equivalents                     967 884               974 879        1 186 709  
Total assets                 10 100 924             9 553 905       10 089 307  
Share capital and                                                               
share premium                 7 659 321             7 630 722        7 638 486  
Retained earnings             1 085 591               725 548        1 081 862  
Equity compensation  reserve    146 116                82 899          112 806  
Shareholders` equity          8 891 028             8 439 169        8 833 154  
Non-current liabilities         603 027               549 471          581 490  
Deferred tax liability          454 054               438 151          447 212  
Long term provisions            148 973               111 320          134 278  
Current liabilities             606 869               565 265          674 663  
Trade and other payables        525 381               464 908          562 844  
Receiver of revenue                   -                25 366           33 886  
Short term provisions            81 488                74 991           77 933  
Total equity and liabilities 10 100 924             9 553 905       10 089 307  
Net asset value - cents                                                         
per share                         2 461                 2 342            2 449  
                                                                       Equity   
                                         Share         Share        compensa-   
Capital       premium     tion reserve   
                                          R000          R000             R000   
Interim consolidated statement of                                               
changes in equity                                                               
Balance at 1 July 2009                    3 599     7 619 369           55 177  
Share based payment expense                                             27 722  
Profit and comprehensive income for the                                         
period attributable to shareholders                                             
Dividends distributed                                                           
Issue of new shares                           5         7 749                   
Balance at 31 December 2009               3 604     7 627 118           82 899  
Share based payment expense                                             32 860  
Profit and comprehensive income for the                                         
period attributable to shareholders                                             
Transfer of equity compensation reserve                                         
to retained earnings                                                   (2 953)  
Dividends distributed                                                           
Issue of new shares                           2         7 762                   
Balance at 30 June 2010                   3 606     7 634 880          112 806  
Share based payment expense                                             33 310  
Profit and comprehensive income for the                                         
period attributable to shareholders                                             
Dividends                                                                       
Issue of new shares                           6        20 829                   
Balance at 31 December 2010               3 612     7 655 709          146 116  
                                                       Retained                 
                                                       earnings         Total   
                                                           R000          R000   
Interim consolidated statement of changes in equity                             
Balance at 1 July 2009                                   654 041     8 332 186  
Share based payment expense                                             27 722  
Profit and comprehensive income for the period           215 582       215 582  
attributable to shareholders                                                    
Dividends distributed                                  (144 075)     (144 075)  
Issue of new shares                                                      7 754  
Balance at 31 December 2009                              725 548     8 439 169  
Share based payment expense                                             32 860  
Profit and comprehensive income for the period           425 444       425 444  
attributable to shareholders                                                    
Transfer of equity compensation reserve to retained                             
earnings                                                   2 953             -  
Dividends distributed                                   (72 083)      (72 083)  
Issue of new shares                                                      7 764  
Balance at 30 June 2010                                1 081 862     8 833 154  
Share based payment expense                                             33 310  
Profit and comprehensive income for the period            75 857        75 857  
attributable to shareholders                                                    
Dividends                                               (72 128)      (72 128)  
Issue of new shares                                                     20 835  
Balance at 31 December 2010                            1 085 591     8 891 028  
                     *Six months ended     *Six months ended     **Year ended   
                           31 Dec 2010           31 Dec 2009      30 Jun 2010   
R000                  R000             R000   
Capital commitments                                                             
Booysendal mine                                                                 
Authorised but not contracted 2 911 587                     -        3 597 045  
Contracted                      732 413                     -           46 955  
                             3 644 000                     -        3 644 000   
Zondereinde mine                                                                
Authorised but not contracted   312 843               128 028          330 499  
Contracted                       33 974                29 422           16 318  
                               346 817               157 450          346 817   
Other commitments                                                               
Information                                                                     
Technology Outsource                                                            
Service Provider                                                                
Due in one year                  11 186                10 422           11 241  
Due in two to five years         20 921                22 421           21 418  
Operating lease                                                                 
rentals - office equipment                                                      
Due in one year                   1 016                   244              214  
Due in two to five years              8                    62                8  
Operating lease                                                                 
rentals - premises                                                              
Due in one year                     459                   680              459  
Due in two to five years              -                   114                -  
Employee housing development                                                    
Contracted                            -                     -            2 395  
Bank guarantees issued          115 239                51 523           60 547  
Note: These commitments in respect of Zondereinde mine will be financed out of  
operating cash flows. The Booysendal commitments will be funded from a          
combination of internal retentions and debt.                                    
                                                 Change     *Six months ended   
                                                      %           31 Dec 2010   
R000   
Operating statistics ***                                                        
Merensky                                                                        
Development metres                                (44.7)                 2 673  
Square metres mined                               (30.6)                68 211  
Tonnes milled                                     (26.4)               368 660  
Head grade (g/ton - 3 PGEs + Au)                   (3.4)                   5.7  
Available ore reserves - months                                                 
UG2                                                                         20  
Development metres                                (59.6)                   693  
Square metres mined                               (41.0)                52 220  
Tonnes milled                                     (43.5)               324 800  
Head grade (g/ton - 3 PGEs + Au)                   (4.3)                   4.4  
Available ore reserves - months                                             24  
Combined                                                                        
Development metres                                (48.6)                 3 366  
Square metres mined                               (35.5)               120 431  
Tonnes milled                                     (35.6)               693 460  
Head grade (g/ton - 3 PGEs + Au)                   (1.9)                   5.1  
Financial statistics ***                                                        
Precious metals in concentrates                                                 
produced                          kg              (33.0)                 3 629  
Precious metals in concentrates                                                 
purchased                         kg                 6.8                 1 082  
Precious metals sold              kg              (23.7)                 4 682  
Average price realised            R/kg              21.2               308 886  
Operating costs                   R/kg              43.9               313 026  
Cash costs                        R/kg              42.6               279 936  
Precious metals in concentrates                                                 
produced                          oz              (33.0)               116 665  
Precious metals in concentrates                                                 
purchased                         oz                 6.8                34 797  
Precious metals sold              oz              (23.7)               150 527  
Average price realised            US$/oz            30.3                 1 349  
Operating costs                   US$/oz            54.5                 1 367  
Cash costs                        US$/oz            54.5                 1 233  
Average exchange rate realised    US$1.00 = R      (7.0)                  7.12  
Operating cost per tonne milled   R/tonne           49.7                 1 638  
Cash cost per tonne milled        R/tonne           48.2                 1 464  
                                           *Six months ended     **Year ended   
31 Dec 2009      30 Jun 2010   
                                                        R000             R000   
Operating statistics ***                                                        
Merensky                                                                        
Development metres                                      4 829            8 864  
Square metres mined                                    98 348          201 659  
Tonnes milled                                         500 957        1 002 208  
Head grade (g/ton - 3 PGEs + Au)                          5.9              5.9  
Available ore reserves - months                                                 
UG2                                                        18               20  
Development metres                                      1 717            2 694  
Square metres mined                                    88 434          166 129  
Tonnes milled                                         575 244        1 036 017  
Head grade (g/ton - 3 PGEs + Au)                          4.6              4.5  
Available ore reserves - months                            24               24  
Combined                                                                        
Development metres                                      6 546           11 558  
Square metres mined                                   186 782          367 698  
Tonnes milled                                       1 076 201        2 038 225  
Head grade (g/ton - 3 PGEs + Au)                          5.2              5.2  
Financial statistics ***                                                        
Precious metals in                                                              
concentrates produced      kg                          5 415            9 999   
Precious metals in                                                              
concentrates purchased      kg                          1 013            2 106  
Precious metals sold        kg                          6 134           12 313  
Average price realised      R/kg                      254 913          288 255  
Operating costs             R/kg                      217 475          239 769  
Cash costs                  R/kg                      196 273          215 900  
Precious metals in                                                              
concentrates produced       oz                        174 096          321 475  
Precious metals in                                                              
concentrates purchased      oz                         32 569           67 709  
Precious metals sold        oz                        197 206          395 879  
Average price realised      US$/oz                      1 035             1185  
Operating costs             US$/oz                        885              983  
Cash costs                  US$/oz                        798              885  
Average exchange rate                                                           
realised                    US$1.00 = R                  7.66             7.59  
Operating cost per tonne                                                        
milled                      R/tonne                     1 094            1 176  
Cash cost per tonne milled  R/tonne                       988            1 059  
* Reviewed    ** Audited     ***Not reviewed or audited           (3PGE+Au)     
Financial results                                                               
Results for the first half of F2011 were overwhelmingly impacted by the effects 
of a protracted six-week strike, the associated slow production build-up post   
the strike and work stoppages on account of safety-related incidents at the     
company`s Zondereinde mine. In total 31% of available production days were lost.
The overall effect on production was a drop of 33% to 116 665oz (3 629kg)       
(3PGE+Au). A total of 34 797oz (1 082kg) of concentrate purchases helped to     
mitigate the decline in sales ounces from 197 206oz in H1 2010 to 150 527oz for 
the current period. With the lower output Northam was unable to take advantage  
of the effects of the higher average basket price. The average exchange rate in 
the reporting period was R7.12/US dollar (H1 F2010: R7.66/US dollar). The net   
effect was a 7.1% decline in sales revenues to R1 614 million.                  
Although the cost performance at Zondereinde was disappointing, the effect was  
also skewed by the significantly lower output. This was reflected in both       
operating and cash costs, in rand terms rising by 43.9% and 42.6% respectively  
to 313 026/kg and R279 936/kg. In spite of the lower production volumes, the    
cost of sales was 3% higher, due mainly to the 19.8% increase in the cost of    
concentrates purchased. Given the significant drop in production volumes, the   
mere 3.3% decline in total operating costs reflects the relatively high         
contribution of fixed costs to total mining operating costs that continue to be 
affected by inflationary pressures.                                             
The share of profits from Northam`s 7.5% interest in the Pandora joint venture  
amounted to R1.4 million, while investment income declined by 53.4% to R50.4    
million, owing primarily to the redemption and payment of the investment held in
escrow to Anglo Platinum, as well as to lower interest rates. The increase in   
sundry revenue reflects the increase in treatment charges credited to sundry    
revenue in respect of higher concentrate purchases compared to the previous     
period. The taxation charge was lower in line with the decrease in profit before
tax. The profit and comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of R75.9  
million for the reporting period is down 64.8% relative to the comparative      
reporting period.                                                               
Cash flow from operations was 47.3% lower compared to the previous period, in   
line with the decline in Northam`s profitability, the lower interest earned and 
the increase in working capital, mainly attributable to trade and other         
receivables.                                                                    
Investing cash outflows are higher at R349.1 million in the reporting period    
owing primarily to capital expenditure of R214.5 million associated with the    
construction of the Booysendal mine, whilst financing cash outflows are much    
lower, in line with the reduction in the dividend paid in the previous period.  
The net result of these cash flows is a cash balance of R967.9 million at 31    
December 2010, some R218.8 million lower than the balance at the beginning of   
the period.                                                                     
Reflecting the company`s need to conserve cash, the board has declared a reduced
dividend of 5 cents per share (H1 F2010: 20 cps) for the period under review.   
Zondereinde mine                                                                
Safety and health                                                               
The aforementioned disruptions to operations impacted the Zondereinde mine`s    
safety performance, where a higher injury rate was recorded during the period   
under review. It is hoped that a more acute focus on safety-related issues by   
all role players, along with the resumption of a more disciplined approach to   
all aspects of the working environment, will help to arrest this trend.         
The thoughts of the board and management go to the loved ones of Mr Antonio Bila
who died in a tramming accident on 9 January 2011. Mr Bila, a Mozambican        
national, was 56 years old.                                                     
Operating performance                                                           
The aforementioned strike and the slow build-up to normal production levels,    
along with safety stoppages, severely impacted the Zondereinde mine`s operating 
performance during the period under review.                                     
Metals in concentrate produced, which included 13 535oz (421kg) from secondary  
material, was 33% lower at 116 665oz (3 629kg), whilst metal in concentrate     
purchased was up 6.8% to 34 797oz (1 082kg). Sales volumes decreased by a       
smaller margin of 23.7% to 150 527oz (4 682kg) as a result of a drawdown in     
inventory.                                                                      
The combined tonnage milled from both the Merensky and UG2 reefs was 35.6% lower
at 693 460 tonnes and the combined average head grade also declined marginally  
to 5.1g/t, reflecting the difficult production period. Consequently, the poor   
production performance resulted in the unit cash costs increasing by 42.6% to   
R279 936/kg compared to R196 273/kg in the previous reporting period.           
The development on level 14 and 15 continues as planned and the deepening       
project is on track and within budget.                                          
A total of R125.5 million was spent on capital expenditure during the period.   
This is lower than anticipated, owing once again to the work stoppages.         
Capital expenditure is expected to amount to R238.0 million for the 2011        
financial year.                                                                 
Metallurgical operations                                                        
The permanent repairs carried out to the electrostatic precipitator which was   
damaged in May 2010 were satisfactorily completed in October 2010.              
All the metallurgical processing facilities operated satisfactorily during the  
period under review.                                                            
Township land and development                                                   
Subsequent to the year end, and after delays owing to infrastructural           
shortcomings, management is pleased to announce that 32 housing units in the    
company`s housing development were sold to employees in terms of the group`s    
strategy of assisting its employees to acquire affordable housing.              
Booysendal project                                                              
Activities planned for the early works programme, namely detailed engineering,  
procurement of long lead items, construction of the on-reef boxcut, off-site    
establishment of employee recruitment and training facilities, safe access roads
and temporary power and water supplies have been largely completed as planned.  
Capital expenditure incurred on the project to date is R378.0 million, including
R214.5 million spent in the current year. Anticipated capital expenditure for   
the 2011 financial year is expected to be R747.0 million which will be funded   
from internal resources.                                                        
The main mining contractor has been appointed and bulk earthworks for surface   
infrastructure have commenced. All mining licences and environmental permits,   
with the exception of the water use licence, have been received.                
Acquisition of Mvelaphanda Resources                                            
Limited (Mvela Resources)                                                       
In an announcement dated 8 February 2011, shareholders were advised of the      
proposed unbundling by Mvela Resources of its current shareholding in Northam,  
and the subsequent proposed acquisition by Northam of the entire issued share   
capital of Mvela Resources by means of a scheme of arrangement in terms of      
section 311 of the Companies Act. In terms of the proposed transaction, Northam 
will issue approximately 20.9 million shares to acquire Mvela Resources. Upon   
implementation of the scheme of arrangement, the principal assets of Mvela      
Resources will comprise cash of R650 million, together with a 50% interest in   
the Dwaalkop PGM joint venture, a 51% initial participatory interest in a joint 
venture exploration project known as Kokerboom and a 20.3% interest in listed   
diamond miner, Trans Hex Limited.                                               
Funding options                                                                 
Peak funding for the Booysendal project is anticipated in 2012. Management is in
the process of finalising funding for the project. The aforementioned amount of 
R650 million will be used as part of the cash component of the funding mix.     
Shareholders will be informed of further developments in this regard in due     
course.                                                                         
ADR programme                                                                   
The company is in the process of launching a sponsored level 1 American         
Depositary Receipt (ADR) facility. This is expected to be declared effective by 
the final quarter of the 2011 financial year. The shares will trade on the over 
the counter (OTC) market in the United States.                                  
Auditors` review report                                                         
The interim financial results of the group have been reviewed by Ernst & Young  
Inc., the group`s auditors. A copy of their unmodified review report is         
available for inspection at the company`s registered office.                    
Accounting policies - basis of preparation                                      
The interim financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost      
basis, except for financial instruments that are stated at fair value, in       
accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The consolidated Group      
Financial Statements for the half year ended 31 December 2010 have been prepared
in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards of the       
International Accounting Standards Board as well as AC 500 Standards, as issued 
by the Accounting Practices Board or its successor, and incorporate the         
accounting policies which are consistent with those adopted in the financial    
year ended 30 June 2010, with the exception of the adoption of the following    
amendments, standards or interpretations with effect from 1 July 2010:          
Standard   Subject                                                              
IFRS 1     First-time adoption of International Financial reporting Standards   
- Additional exceptions for first time adoption (Amendment)           
IFRS 2     Share-based payments - Group Cash Settled Share-based Payment        
          Arrangements (Amendment)                                              
IFRS 3     Transition Requirements for Contingent Consideration from a          
Business Combination that Occurred before the Effective Date of the   
          Revised IFRS (Amendment)                                              
IFRS 3     Measurement of Non-controlling Interests (Amendment)                 
IFRS 3     Un-replaced and Voluntarily Replaced Share-based Payment Awards      
(Amendment)                                                           
IFRS 5     Disclosures of Non-current Assets (or Disposal Groups) Held for      
          Sale and Discontinued Operations (Amendment)                          
IFRS 8     Disclosure of Information about Segment Assets (Amendment)           
IAS 1      Current/non-current classification of convertible instruments        
          (Amendment)                                                           
IAS 7      Classification of Expenditures on Unrecognised Assets (Amendment)    
IAS 17     Classification of Leases of Land and Buildings (Amendment)           
IAS 27     Transition Requirements for Amendments made as a Result of IAS 27    
          Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (Amendment)            
IAS 32     Financial Instruments Presentation - Classification of rights        
          issues (Amendment)                                                    
IAS 36     Unit of Accounting for Goodwill Impairment Test (Amendment)          
IAS 39     Assessment of loan repayment penalties as embedded derivatives       
          (Amendment)                                                           
IAS 39     Scope Exemption for Business Combination Contract (Amendment)        
IAS 39     Cash Flow Hedge Accounting (Amendment)                               
IFRIC 19   Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments          
Through the annual improvements project, changes have been made to various      
standards, without the standards being issued as `Revised`.                     
The adoption of these amendments, standards and interpretations resulted in     
changes in the way in which the interim financial results statements are        
presented, as well as additional disclosures in the annual financial statements.
Related parties                                                                 
The group, in the ordinary course of business, enters into various sale,        
purchase and lease transactions with a large number of entities, some of whom   
are related parties. All transactions are concluded on an arm`s length basis.   
Segmental reporting                                                             
The group distinguishes between two segments, the Zondereinde mine and the      
Booysendal mine. Capital expenditure to the value of R214.5 million has been    
incurred for the Booysendal project in this period. Interest to the value of    
R12.5 million has been earned in respect of the investment in escrow. The       
remainder of the transactions are for the Zondereinde mine.                     
Total assets in respect of the Booysendal mine amount to R6 954 million, which  
have been allocated to property, plant and equipment, mining properties and     
mineral reserves of Booysendal. All other assets relate to the Zondereinde mine.
Going concern                                                                   
All mining entities have a finite life that depends on geological and technical 
factors as well as other economic factors such as commodity prices, exchange    
rates etc. Taking into account the outlook for these factors, as well as the    
group`s present financial resources, the directors believe that the group is a  
going concern. The group`s interim results have accordingly been prepared on    
this basis.                                                                     
Subsequent events                                                               
No material changes have taken place in the affairs of the group between the end
of the half-year and the date of this report, except for Northam`s proposed     
acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Mvela Resources by way of a   
scheme of arrangement following the unbundling of Mvela Resources.              
Prospects ***                                                                   
Maintaining the 1:1 ratio of Merensky reef to UG2 reef is expected to continue  
to be a challenge at the Zondereinde mine. Given the stoppages and the          
restrictions associated with ore reserve availability, production for the full  
year is anticipated to be significantly lower than what was achieved in F2010.  
Associated with the anticipated lower volumes, production costs will be         
difficult to contain. Even at normalized levels, operating costs are expected to
increase at a higher rate than inflation, given the restrictions associated with
accessing available resources and the effects of higher wage demands and other  
input costs generally in the mining industry, such as power, chemicals and      
steel. These costs and the expected lower production in F2011 will negatively   
impact unit costs in the second half of the financial year.                     
Group earnings will be largely determined by these costs and by the average rand
basket price received in F2011. This is currently at a higher level than the    
average price realised of R308 886/kg during this reporting period.             
Directorate and company secretary                                               
Shareholders were advised of the appointment of Mr DL Swanepoel as company      
secretary with effect from 22 November 2010.                                    
Dividend                                                                        
Dividend number 24 of 5 cents per share has been declared in South African      
currency, in respect of the half year ended 31 December 2010. In compliance with
the requirements of Strate the following dates are applicable:                  
Last day to trade ("cum div")                          Thursday, 17 March 2011  
Last day to trade ("ex div")                             Friday, 18 March 2011  
Record date                                              Friday, 25 March 2011  
Payment date                                             Monday, 28 March 2011  
No share certificates may be de-materialised or re-materialised between Friday, 
18 March 2011 and Friday, 25 March 2011, both days inclusive.                   
On behalf of the board                                                          
P L Zim                                               G T Lewis                 
Chairman                                              Chief executive officer   
Johannesburg                                                                    
28 February 2011                                                                
Directors                                                                       
P L Zim (Chairman), (Alternate: A K Gupta),                                     
G T Lewis (Chief executive officer) (British),                                  
A Z Khumalo (Financial director), M E Beckett (British),                        
C K Chabedi, Ms N J Dlamini (Dr), R Havenstein,                                 
Ms E T Kgosi, A R Martin, B R van Rooyen,                                       
M S M M Xayiya, (Alternate: M J Willcox)                                        
Company secretary:                                                              
D L Swanepoel                                                                   
Registered Office                                                               
1st Floor, Block 1A                                                             
Albury Park,                                                                    
Magalieszicht Avenue                                                            
Dunkeld West,                                                                   
Johannesburg                                                                    
PO Box 412694, Craighall                                                        
2024, Republic of South Africa                                                  
Sponsor:                                                                        
One Capital (Barnard Jacobs Mellet Corporate Finance (Proprietary) Limited, a   
wholly owned subsidiary of One Capital)                                         
These results are available on the Northam website at www.northam.co.za         
Date: 28/02/2011 08:00:11 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the    
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or            
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or   
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,     
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,     
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,     
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,          
information disseminated through SENS.                                          
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
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