| Tue 16 Feb 2021, 17:00 | | NORTHAM PLATINUM LIMITED - Trading statement and trading update |
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Trading statement and trading update
NORTHAM PLATINUM LIMITED
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
(Registration number 1977/003282/06)
Share code: NHM ISIN: ZAE000030912
Debt issuer code: NHMI
Bond code: NHM002 Bond ISIN: ZAG000129024
Bond code: NHM006 Bond ISIN: ZAG000158577
Bond code: NHM007 Bond ISIN: ZAG000158593
Bond code: NHM009 Bond ISIN: ZAG000158866
Bond code: NHM011 Bond ISIN: ZAG000159237
Bond code: NHM012 Bond ISIN: ZAG000160136
Bond code: NHM014 Bond ISIN: ZAG000163650
Bond code: NHM015 Bond ISIN: ZAG000164922
Bond code: NHM016 Bond ISIN: ZAG000167750
Bond code: NHM017 Bond ISIN: ZAG000167891
Bond code: NHM018 Bond ISIN: ZAG000168097
Bond code: NHM019 Bond ISIN: ZAG000168105
Bond code: NHM020 Bond ISIN: ZAG000172594
(“Northam” or the “company” or the “group”)
TRADING STATEMENT AND TRADING UPDATE
In terms of paragraph 3.4(b) of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements, companies are required to publish
a trading statement as soon as they are satisfied, with a reasonable degree of certainty, that the financial
results for the current reporting period will differ by at least 20% from the financial results of the previous
corresponding period.
Northam will report an increase in operating profit for the six months ended 31 December 2020
(“H1 F2021”), underpinned by a satisfactory performance from all operations, against the backdrop of the
ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”).
Production and unit cash costs
A key feature of H1 F2021 has been the positive operational response to the ongoing challenges of COVID-
19, whilst maintaining the health and safety of our employees. The strong performance from all the
operations has led to the group producing equivalent refined metal comparable to pre-COVID-19 production
schedules and at production levels higher than the previous corresponding period.
The group achieved a 15.0% increase in production from own operations at 352 741 oz 4E, compared to
306 738 oz 4E for the period ended 31 December 2019 (“H1 F2020”), notwithstanding the ongoing phased
restart of operations, particularly impacting the conventional Zondereinde mine, where only 90% of mining
crews have returned to work.
Purchased material decreased by 3.2% to 18 772 oz 4E (H1 F2020: 19 398 oz 4E). The cost of purchased
material is determined by ruling commodity prices, resulting in a cost increase of 34.9%.
Group unit cash costs per equivalent refined platinum ounce increased above inflation, primarily due to
Eland mine’s production currently being derived from surface sources and purchased at prevailing metal
prices.
The table below sets out the unit cash cost for the group and per operation for H1 F2021 compared to H1
F2020:
Unit cash cost Unit cash cost
H1 F2021 H1 F2020
R/Pt oz R/Pt oz % variance
Group cash cost per equivalent refined platinum
ounce 27 660 24 780 (11.6%)
Zondereinde cash cost per equivalent refined
platinum ounce 28 473 25 890 (10.0%)
Booysendal cash cost per platinum ounce in
concentrate produced 20 288 18 714 (8.4%)
Eland cash cost per platinum ounce in
concentrate produced 39 476 29 227 (35.1%)
The key production measures for H1 F2021 compared to H1 F2020 are summarised in the table below:
Equivalent Equivalent
refined refined
production production
H1 F2021 H1 F2020
oz 4E oz 4E % variance
Production from Zondereinde 166 773 162 380 2.7%
Production from Booysendal 165 864 128 876 28.7%
Production from Eland 20 104 15 482 29.9%
Total production from own operations 352 741 306 738 15.0%
Purchased material 18 772 19 398 (3.2%)
Total production 371 513 326 136 13.9%
Sales
Sales volumes during the period under review were adversely affected by the impact of factors arising as
a result of COVID-19, in particular the negative effect on metal transport logistics during the last quarter of
the previous financial year. Previously reported production losses, together with logistical hurdles, including
border closures, resulted in reduced metal volumes sent to Northam’s refiner in Germany which created a
refining backlog. This in turn impacted available metal for sale during the period under review, due to the
restocking of the inventory pipeline. As a result of the varying refining lead times affecting individual
platinum group metals, the impact was predominantly experienced in respect of rhodium.
The resultant lower contribution of rhodium to overall sales during the period, distorted the average realised
basket price achieved during H1 F2021 and consequently reduced cash inflows reported during the period.
Excess rhodium in the pipeline will be released in the ordinary course of business and the relative
contribution of rhodium to sales is expected to normalise during the course of the remainder of the current
financial year.
Despite the adverse COVID-19 related impact on sales volumes, sales revenue increased by 51.9% from
R7.8 billion in H1 F2020 to R11.9 billion for the period under review. This increase is attributable to a 49.7%
increase in the average 4E basket price to USD2 160/oz (H1 F2020: USD1 443/oz), a 9.0% weaker
ZAR/USD exchange rate realised and a 4.4% decrease in refined 4E ounces sold, for the reasons stated
above.
Total revenue per platinum ounce sold increased by 53.8% to R61 307/Pt oz (H1 F2020: R39 864/Pt oz),
resulting in a cash profit margin per platinum ounce in excess of 50%.
Total refined volumes remained marginally unchanged at 322 170 oz 4E (H1 F2020: 319 264 oz 4E).
The table below details the despatched metal volumes to Northam’s precious metal refiner, compared to
the refined metal volumes and sales volumes, in respect of the period under review:
Average sales
Despatched Refined Sales prices
achieved
oz oz oz USD/oz
Platinum 202 000 197 896 193 859 934
Palladium 100 500 98 843 96 854 2 296
Rhodium 30 000 21 097 20 268 13 296
Gold 4 200 4 334 4 339 1 895
Total oz 4E 336 700 322 170 315 320 2 160
Total refined metal sold in H1 F2020 amounted to 307 312 oz 4E.
Financial results
The group’s financial results were impacted by lower sales volumes relative to actual production, which in
turn impacted operating profit, the cash position of the group and therefore the net debt position as at
31 December 2020.
The combination of lower refined sales volumes and increased production resulted in a 25.5% increase in
inventory on hand, to 276 235 oz 4E (F2020: 220 172 oz 4E on hand).
During the period under review, the group generated R1.9 billion in free cash flow, which was applied
towards further purchases of Zambezi Platinum (RF) Limited (“Zambezi”) preference shares. 74 974 739
Zambezi preference shares were acquired during H1 F2021 at a premium to face value (being the
difference between the face value of the Zambezi preference shares and the price that Northam paid,
together with transaction costs incurred on the purchases of these Zambezi preference shares), which
resulted in a once off loss on derecognition of the Zambezi preference share liability of R0.9 billion.
The table below provides the key financial features of H1 F2021, compared to H1 F2020:
H1 F2021 H1 F2020 % variance
Basic earnings per share (cents) 583.5 – 616.3 328.0 77.9% - 87.9%
Headline earnings per share (cents) 583.5 – 616.3 328.3 77.7% - 87.7%
Normalised headline earnings per share (cents) 623.0 – 660.0 369.6 68.6% - 78.6%
Number of shares in issue including treasury
509 781 212 509 781 212 -
shares
Weighted average number of shares* 349 875 759 349 875 759 -
*Used to determine the basic and headline earnings per share, calculated as 509 781 212 shares in issue less
159 905 453 shares held by Zambezi. Zambezi is Northam’s major empowerment shareholder and Zambezi’s financial
results are consolidated into the group’s financial results.
Capital expenditure
Capital expenditure reduced to R1.3 billion (H1 F2020: R1.4 billion). This is the combined result of capital
trimming following the onset of COVID-19, together with capital projects having either been completed, or
nearing completion at Booysendal mine. R918.1 million (H1 F2020: R1.2 billion) was spent on expansionary
capital expenditure and R380.5 million (H1 F2020: R200.5 million) on sustaining capital expenditure.
Projects that were temporarily scaled back include - the Central Merensky module at Booysendal mine;
aspects of the number 3 shaft project at Zondereinde mine; and the stoping build-up at Eland mine.
Following greater market certainty developing during the second half of 2020, all curtailed growth projects
were re-initiated in October 2020 and the majority of stoppage impacts have been clawed back. As such,
the overall impact on the group’s growth strategy will be minimal.
Group capital expenditure for F2021 is forecast to amount to R3.0 billion. However, the potential for further
disruption to operations and the metal markets as a result of COVID-19 remains. We continue to monitor
the market and will amend our capital program where and when prudent.
The group continues to execute on its strategy of developing low-cost, long-life assets in order to position
itself at the lower end of the industry cost curve. We believe that the development of our project pipeline
which builds on our pre-existing and acquired asset base is bearing fruit and will continue to position
Northam to deliver a strong operational and financial performance.
Acquisition of Zambezi preference shares
Northam’s strategy of returning value to shareholders remains unchanged and Northam believes that, to
date, the most efficient mechanism to return value to Northam’s shareholders has been through the
purchase of Zambezi preference shares.
The acquisition of the Zambezi preference shares reduces the preference share dividend expense and
liability included in Northam’s consolidated financial results, as well as Northam’s potential financial
exposure under the guarantee provided to holders of Zambezi preference shares, should the guarantee be
called upon. Furthermore, in the event that Zambezi elects to redeem the Zambezi preference shares
through a distribution of Northam ordinary shares held by Zambezi, then the redemption of the Zambezi
preference shares held by Northam at such time will result in a distribution of Northam shares to Northam,
thereby reducing the number of Northam shares in issue.
During H1 F2021, Northam continued to purchase Zambezi preference shares and held 128 569 993
Zambezi preference shares at 31 December 2020, representing c.80.4% of all Zambezi preference shares
in issue. During the period under review Northam acquired 74 974 739 Zambezi preference shares for a
consideration of R6.9 billion, which was financed by means of internally generated cash, the issue of
R1.5 billion worth of Domestic Medium-Term Notes and draw downs on the revolving credit facility,
increasing the net debt position of the group to R8.8 billion as at 31 December 2020 (F2020: R3.3 billion).
To date, purchases of Zambezi preference shares have amounted to R10.9 billion. The average premium
paid on these purchases amounts to 8.4% (expressed as a percentage to face value, being the capital
amount and all accrued Zambezi preference share dividends, calculated on the date of each acquisition).
Northam achieving more than 80% ownership of the Zambezi preference shares represents a significant
step in the pursuit of the company’s previously stated intention to accelerate the maturity of the
empowerment transaction concluded between Northam and Zambezi in May 2015, as announced on
2 November 2020.
Conclusion
In summary, whilst the COVID-19 pandemic and its wide-ranging knock-on effects adversely impacted
sales and the metal in pipeline during the period under review, the underlying operations have performed
well.
The financial information contained in this announcement has not been reviewed or reported on by
Northam’s auditors. The reviewed results for the six months ended 31 December 2020 are expected to be
published on or about 19 March 2021.
Johannesburg
16 February 2021
Sponsor and Debt Sponsor
One Capital
Date: 16-02-2021 05:00:00
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