RESULTS NICKEL29 Nov 2016 19:27
ASA Resources’ 74.73% owned subsidiary, Bindura Nickel, has reported an after tax profit of US$1.18m for the six months to 30th September 2016, reversing a US$3.4m loss in the six months to September 2015.
Despite a 15% decline in the average price of nickel in concentrate to US$3198/t, turnover grew by 9% to US$22.46m (H1 2015 – US$20.56m) on the back of a 25% increase in nickel sales to 3,464 tonnes.
Bindura has also achieved a 22% reduction in cost of sales to US$ 14.32m or US$4,133/t and an EBITDA margin of 14% during the half year.
At the operational level, the head grade of ore treated rose to 1.81% nickel (2015 – 1.41%) and overall nickel output increased by 23% to 3,420 tonnes.
The upgrading and refurbishment of the nickel smelter is some 71% complete and remains on schedule. Capex for the half year amounted to US$4.2m and was largely deployed on the smelter project.
Conclusion: Bindura Nickel is growing profitability and sales and is well advanced towards completing the refurbishment of the smelter