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SLP Sylvania Platinum Limited

65.50
0.00 (0.00%)
Last Updated: 08:00:23
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Sylvania Platinum Limited LSE:SLP London Ordinary Share BMG864081044 CMN SHS USD0.01 (DI)
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 65.50 64.00 67.00 65.50 65.50 65.50 378,863 08:00:23
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Miscellaneous Metal Ores,nec 127.04M 45.35M 0.1720 3.81 172.66M

Sylvania Platinum Limited First Quarter Report to 30 September 2018 (8264F)

31/10/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 8264F

Sylvania Platinum Limited

31 October 2018 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

31 October 2018

Sylvania Platinum Limited

("Sylvania", "the Company" or "the Group")

AIM (SLP)

First Quarter Report to 30 September 2018

The Directors are pleased to present the results for the quarter ended 30 September 2018 ("Q1" or the "quarter"). Unless otherwise stated, the consolidated financial information contained in this report is presented in USD.

Achievements

   --      19,137 4E PGM ounces produced in Q1; 
   --      Group EBITDA of $7.1 million; 
   --      Total operating costs down 2% in ZAR terms and 12% in USD quarter on quarter; 
   --      Cash balance up 26% quarter on quarter to $17.7 million from $14.0 million; 
   --      Capital expenditure in line with planned expansion for Project Echo; 
   --      Millsell operation achieved four years lost time injury (LTI) free during the quarter; and 

-- Completed the non-UK Shareholders buy-back program on 24 August 2018 and a total of 2,407,481 shares were cancelled.

Challenges

-- Utility infrastructure and supply of power continues to present challenges to existing operations and the execution of expansion projects;

-- The consistently low Platinum price continues to put pressure on the gross basket price, although weaker ZAR and strong Palladium and Rhodium prices are mitigating factors; and

-- Lower recovery efficiencies at Millsell MF2 module, due to challenges with fines flotation mechanisms, are currently being upgraded.

Opportunities

   --      Project Echo MF2 module for Mooinooi on track for commissioning in H2 FY2019; 

-- Relocation of redundant Steelpoort chrome circuit to Lesedi in progress to improve chrome removal ahead of flotation and to enable higher PGM feed; and

   --      Company continues to generate sufficient cash reserves to fund capital expansion projects. 

Commenting on the Q1 results, Sylvania's CEO Terry McConnachie said:

"The SDO teams have once again performed consistently by producing 19,137 ounces this quarter, the second highest quarterly production in the history of the Company. Preceded by last quarter's production record, this period was impacted by some operational instability and 'teething' issues at Doornbosch and Mooinooi, which have since been resolved and Management continues to focus on optimisation initiatives on operations. As promised, we have endeavoured to keep costs controlled and our cash reserves remain at a level which will enable the Company to continue to fund capital projects and Project Echo moving forward."

 
               USD                  Unit           Unaudited           Unit                  ZAR 
 Q4 FY2018   Q1 FY2019   % Change                                              % Change   Q1 FY2019   Q4 FY2018 
            ----------  ---------                                             ---------  ----------  ---------- 
                                                   Production 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
  643,019     635,051      -1%        T            Plant Feed            T       -1%       635,051     643,019 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
   2.46        2.44        -1%       g/t        Feed Head Grade         g/t      -1%        2.44        2.46 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
  338,167     328,127      -3%        T       PGM Plant Feed Tons        T       -3%       328,127     338,167 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
   3.75        3.75         0%       g/t      PGM Plant Feed Grade      g/t       0%        3.75        3.75 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
  49.67%      48.39%       -3%        %        PGM Plant Recovery        %       -3%       48.39%      49.67% 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
  20,278      19,137       -6%       Oz          Total 4E PGMs          Oz       -6%       19,137      20,278 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
  27,062      25,723       -5%       Oz          Total 6E PGMs          Oz       -5%       25,723      27,062 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
                                              Average gross basket 
   1,167       1,149       -2%      $/oz              price            R/oz       5%       16,263      15,509 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
                                                   Financials 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
  16,243      14,230       -12%     $'000         Revenue (4E)         R'000     -3%       200,032     205,372 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
   1,653       1,634       -1%      $'000    Revenue (by products)     R'000     10%       22,964      20,905 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
   2,195       1,370       -38%     $'000      Sales adjustments       R'000     -31%      19,261      27,756 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
  20,092      17,234       -14%     $'000         Net revenue          R'000     -5%      242, 257     254,032 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
  11,052       9,726       -12%     $'000       Operating costs        R'000     -2%       136,754     139,732 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
    615         464        -25%     $'000   General & administration   R'000     -16%       6,524       7,773 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
   8,600       7,075       -18%     $'000         Group EBITDA         R'000     -8%       99,477      108,682 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
    65          182        180%     $'000         Net Interest         R'000     212%       2,560        820 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
   3,914       3,785       -3%      $'000          Net profit          R'000      8%       53,220      49,489 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   1,508       1,205       -20%     $'000     Capital Expenditure      R'000     -11%      16,942      19,070 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
  14,017      17,719       26%      $'000         Cash Balance         R'000     41%       249,126     177,217 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
                                     R/$          Ave R/$ rate          R/$      11%        14.06       12.64 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
                                             Unit Cost/Efficiencies 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
                                               SDO Cash Cost Per 
    553         508        -8%      $/oz            4E PGM oz          R/oz       2%        7,137       6,996 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
                                               SDO Cash Cost Per 
    415         378        -9%      $/oz            6E PGM oz          R/oz       1%        5,310       5,242 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
                                                Group Cash Cost 
    562         531        -6%      $/oz          Per 4E PGM oz        R/oz       5%        7,461       7,101 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
                                                Group Cash Cost 
    421         395        -6%      $/oz          Per 6E PGM oz        R/oz       4%        5,551       5,323 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
                                               All-in sustaining 
    550         540        -2%      $/oz            cost (4E)          R/oz       9%        7,592       6,953 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
    612         593        -3%      $/oz        All-in cost (4E)       R/oz       8%        8,338       7,740 
            ----------  ---------  ------  -------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 

1 The Sylvania cash generating subsidiaries are incorporated in South Africa with the functional currency of these operations being ZAR. Revenues from the sale of PGMs are incurred in USD and then converted into ZAR. The Group's reporting currency is USD as the parent company is incorporated in Bermuda. Corporate and general and administration costs are incurred in USD, GBP and ZAR.

A. OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Health, safety and environment

During the past quarter, the Millsell operation achieved the significant safety milestone of being LTI- free for four years, and all SDO operations performed well without any significant health or environmental incidents during the period. Lesedi remains seven years LTI-free, while Tweefontein and Doornbosch plants both remain more than six years LTI-free.

Operational performance

The SDO delivered a solid performance of 19,137 ounces for Q1 which is the second highest quarterly performance for operations. While PGM plant feed grade remained static quarter on quarter, the PGM plant feed tons and recovery efficiency were both 3% lower, resulting in a 6% decrease in PGM ounces compared to the Q4 FY2018 record performance.

The lower PGM plant feed tons were primarily due to the downtime and feed instability associated with the commissioning of a new process circuit at Doornbosch during the quarter as well as some operational challenges at Mooinooi during September 2018 that have since been resolved. PGM recovery efficiencies were impacted by a lower percentage of fresh current arisings feed to some operations compared to the previous quarter as well as oil-contaminated feed material received at the Mooinooi operation that negatively impacted the PGM flotation process.

The SDO cash costs for the period in ZAR terms increased 2% to ZAR7,137/ounce, which was attributable to lower ounce production as a result of lower than planned current arisings supplemented with lower grade dump tons. In USD terms, cash costs decreased by 8% to $508/ounce, assisted by an 11% weakening of the ZAR in the ZAR/USD exchange rate during the period. Capital expenditure reduced 20% quarter-on-quarter based on the current capital project schedule and in line with Project Echo construction plan.

Operational focus areas

Operational challenges experienced at Millsell after the commissioning of the Millsell MF2 module earlier this year resulted in some design changes and upgrades to flotation mechanisms which will enable improved PGM recoveries during Q2.

Process circuit modifications, utilising enhanced fine screening technology for more efficient upgrading of PGMs, at Doornbosch, Millsell and Tweefontein will be completed in Q2, and optimisation of these new circuits will be done post-commissioning in order to further improve PGM feed grades and ounce production.

Operational opportunities

The Project Echo MF2 module for Mooinooi, which is being fast-tracked to counter the previously communicated delay in the execution of the Tweefontein MF2 module of Project Echo, is progressing well and is planned to enable SDO to deliver on the Group production forecast of 76,000 to 78,000 ounces as announced in the Annual Report in August 2018.

The Lesedi chrome plant project, comprising of the dismantling and relocation of the redundant Steelpoort chrome circuit, has commenced and is expected to be completed in the second half of the financial year. This will enable chrome removal ahead of Lesedi's PGM plant, aligned with the standard SDO operating model employed at existing operations in the Group, and will contribute towards higher PGM feed grades and ounce production at the operation.

B. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Financial performance

The gross basket price for PGMs for the quarter was $1,149/ounce, a 2% decrease on Q4 FY2018 $1,167/ounce. The decrease in ounces quarter on quarter as well as the slightly lower basket price resulted in the net revenue dropping 14% to $17.2 million. This is however in line with the Board's expectation for the quarter.

The total operating costs decreased 2% in ZAR terms (the SDO functional currency) to ZAR137.0 million compared to the ZAR140.0 million in Q4 FY2018. However, SDO cash costs per ounce increased 2% in ZAR terms from ZAR6,996/ounce to ZAR7,137ounce. The Group cash cost increased 5% from ZAR7,101/ounce in Q4 FY2018 to ZAR7,461/ounce, due to lower ounces in Q1 compared to Q4 FY2018.

The all-in sustaining cost for the Group increased by 9% against Q4 FY2018 to ZAR7,592/ounce (Q4: ZAR6,953/ounce). The Group all-in cost for the quarter is ZAR8,338/ounce, an 8% increase on the ZAR7,740/ounce recorded in Q4 FY2018 due again to the lower production quarter on quarter.

The Group general and administrative costs decreased 16% quarter on quarter in ZAR terms from ZAR7.7 million to ZAR6.5 million.

The surplus cash held and invested in ZAR earned interest at an average rate of 7%. This cash will be used to fund the balance of Project Echo and other production optimisation projects. The increase in cash invested resulted in an increase in the net interest earned for the quarter.

The Group cash balance at 30 September 2018 was $17.7 million (including guarantees), a $3.7 million increase on the previous quarter's $14.0 million. Cash generated from operations before working capital movements was $7.1 million with net changes in working capital amounting to a decrease of $1.9 million due mainly to the increase in trade debtors which have a four-month payment pipeline. An amount of $1.2 million was spent on capital and the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held at the quarter end was a reduction of $0.3 million.

Financial management

Sylvania reports and generates its revenues in USD, however the operations' functional currency is ZAR. This requires strict cashflow controls and management to ensure ongoing growth in cash reserves. The Company remains committed to funding all planned capital projects and expansion from internal cash reserves.

Platinum has remained in the $800 range during the quarter, however Palladium has continued its steady increase over the quarter, increasing 15% from July 2018 and averaging $951 for Q1. Rhodium increased 10% from June to September 2018, and appears to be continuing this upward trend. The increase in the by-product metal prices has also assisted in keeping the basket price at a favorable level, albeit lower than for the previous quarter.

In light of the current South African political environment, the ZAR/USD exchange rate remains just as volatile trading above ZAR14.00 to the USD for most of the quarter. Although not under management's control, the metal prices and the ZAR/USD exchange rate continue to be monitored.

C. EXPLORATION AND OPENCAST MINING PROJECTS

Northern Limb Projects

The Company has not pursued its exploration activities during the quarter, but will continue to defend title as and when this becomes necessary, until an improvement in market conditions warrants further development.

D. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES

Share buy-back programme

The Share Buyback Programme (the Programme) closed on 24 August 2018. The Company purchased 2,407,481 Ordinary $0.01 Shares (Ordinary Shares) from small non-UK based shareholders at a price of A$0.1619 per Ordinary Share, representing 57.6% of the shares on offer under the Programme.

The shares purchased under the programme have been cancelled bringing the Company's issued share capital to 290,241,404 Ordinary Shares, of which a total of 4,206,885 Ordinary Shares are held in treasury. The total number of Ordinary Shares with voting rights in Sylvania is 286,034,519 Ordinary Shares.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

 
 Registered and postal   Sylvania Platinum Limited 
  address: 
                         Clarendon House 
                         2 Church Street 
                         Hamilton HM 11 
                         Bermuda 
 
 SA Operations postal    PO Box 976 
  address: 
                         Florida Hills, 1716 
                         South Africa 
 
 

Sylvania Website: www.sylvaniaplatinum.com

CONTACT DETAILS

 
 For further information, please 
  contact: 
 Terence McConnachie (Chief Executive 
  Officer)                               +44 777 533 7175 
 
 Nominated Advisor and Broker 
 Liberum Capital Limited                 +44 (0) 20 3100 2000 
 Richard Crawley / Chris Britton 
 
 Communications 
 Alma PR Limited                         +44 (0) 7580 216 203 
 Josh Royston / Helena Bogle 
 

This announcement is released by Sylvania Platinum Limited and contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is being made on behalf of the Company by Terence McConnachie.

ANNEXURE

 
 GLOSSARY OF TERMS FY2019 
 The following definitions apply throughout the period: 
                     4E PGM ounces include the precious metal elements Platinum, 
 4E PGMs              Palladium, Rhodium and Gold 
                     6E ounces include the 4E elements plus additional Iridium 
 6E PGMs              and Ruthenium 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 AGM                 Annual General Meeting 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 AIM                 Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 All-in sustaining   Production costs plus all costs relating to sustaining current 
  cost                production and sustaining capital expenditure. 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                     All-in sustaining cost plus non-sustaining and expansion capital 
 All-in cost          expenditure 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 ASX                 Australian Securities Exchange 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                     Fresh chrome tails from current operating host mines processing 
 Current risings      operations 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 DMR                 Department of Mineral Resources 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 EBITDA              Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 EA                  Environmental Authorisation 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 EIA                 Environmental Impact Assessment 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 EIR                 Effective interest rate 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 EMPR                Environmental Management Programme Report 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 GBP                 Great British Pound 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 IASB                International Accounting Standards Board 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 IFRIC               International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 IFRS                International Financial Reporting Standards 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 I&APs               Interested and Affected Parties 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                     Phoenix Platinum Mining Proprietary Limited, renamed Sylvania 
 Lesedi               Lesedi 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 LSE                 London Stock Exchange 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 LTI                 Lost time injury 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 MF2                 Milling and flotation technology 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 MPRDA               Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 MRA                 Mining Right Application 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 MTO                 Mining Titles Office 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 NOMR                New Order Mining Right 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 NWA                 National Water Act 36 of 1998 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Option Plan         Sylvania Platinum Limited Share Option Plan 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                     Platinum group metals comprising mainly platinum, palladium, 
 PGM                  rhodium and gold 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 PAR                 Pan African Resources Plc 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                     Phoenix Platinum Mining Proprietary Limited, renamed Sylvania 
 Phoenix              Lesedi 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Pipeline ounces     6E ounces delivered but not invoiced 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                     Revenue recognised for ounces delivered, but not yet invoiced 
 Pipeline revenue     based on contractual timelines 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Pipeline sales      Adjustments to pipeline revenues based on the basket price 
  adjustment          for the period between delivery and invoicing 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Programme           Sylvania Platinum Share Buyback Programme 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Project Echo        Secondary PGM Milling and Flotation (MF2) program announced 
                      in FY2017 to design and install additional new additional 
                      fine grinding mills and flotation circuits at Millsell, Doornbosch, 
                      Tweefontein and Mooinooi. 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Revenue (by 
  products)          Revenue earned on Ruthenium, Iridium, Nickel and Copper 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 RoM                 Run of mine 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 SDO                 Sylvania dump operations 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Shares              Common shares 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Sylvania            Sylvania Platinum Limited, a company incorporated in Bermuda 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 USD                 United States Dollar 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 WIP                 Work in progress 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 WULA                Water Use Licence Application 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 UK                  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 ZAR                 South African Rand 
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

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