12 Aug 2009 07:16
AQUARIUS PLATINUM LIMITED
ANNUAL RESULTS 2009
Full Year Results: 30 June 2009
Highlights
Group attributable production at target level, closing at 455,675 PGM ounces for the full year
Net loss reduced from $70.1 million at 1H to $45.7 million (US 13.30 cents per share) at full year
Successful capital base restructure completed in 2H, with overwhelming shareholding support
Cash balance at FY close of $154 million, after repayment of R1.577 billion ($177 million) bridge facility in AQPSA
Recovery in US Dollar prices of major metals from lows experienced towards end of 1H
Operational
Group attributable production at 455,675 PGM ounces achieved despite suspension of operations at the Everest Platinum Mine (2008: 500,203 PGM ounces)
Improved production at all operating units; up 13% in total (excluding Everest & Platinum Mile)
Recovery in operating margins through 2H at SA operations
Financial
Revenue decreased 66% from $919 million to $311million as PGM prices collapsed
Net profit of $24.4 million achieved in 2H reduces full year loss to $45.7 million
Net mine operating cash flow of $27 million achieved, despite negative provisional price adjustments and significant pipeline advance repayments
Group debt reduced to $82 million from $210 million
Group cash balance at $154 million
Strategic
Capital raising completed by way of equity placement, rights issue and convertible note issue
Completion of the acquisition of Ridge Mining in July 2009
FirstPlats transaction agreement concluded, pending s11 transfer in order to complete
Expansion of Aquarius exploration portfolio in SA
Mimosa Wedza Phase 5.5 expansion successfully completed and commissioned
Commenting on the results, Stuart Murray, CEO of Aquarius Platinum said, "What a year this was; a year of highs and lows; be it prices, currency volatility in both of our operating domains, the Everest mine suspension, the acquisition of Ridge, and the capital base restructuring, along with the usual challenges the mining industry.
There is no doubt that the collapse in PGM prices pose this industry great issues and indeed posed this company some unique challenges as margins were cut to the bone. Despite this ongoing overhang, Aquarius has responded decisively and has delivered an aggregate 13% production improvement across all its current operations and has managed to reduce the half year net loss of $70 million announced in February 2009 to $45 million by year-end, with more positive prospects appearing. We are grateful to our shareholders for backing the successful strengthening of the balance sheet during these challenging times, enabling opportunities such as the successful acquisition of Ridge and the restart of Everest to occur, both of which will in time further add to the growth profile of Aquarius."
Financials
Aquarius recorded a consolidated loss for the year to 30 June 2009 of $45.7million (US13.30 cents per share) compared to a prior year profit of $236.5 million. The result is attributable to a number of factors but in the main a collapse of PGM prices during the first half of the financial year and reduced production due to the suspension of operations at the Everest mine in December 2008.
Significantly, earnings in the second half of the financial year (2H 2009) reflected a $94.4 million swing resulting in a net profit of $24.4 million in 2H. This net profit was achieved despite lower production (Everest), the impact of dollarisation of the Zimbabwean economy and a significant strengthening in the value of the SA Rand against the US$ in 2H. The net profit achieved in the second half is attributable to improved US$ PGM prices (both provisional and realised) lifting from the lows experienced in the December 2008 quarter.
1H 2009 2H 2009 FY2009 FY2008 FY Change
Net profit (loss) after tax & OEI ($70.1m) $24.4m ($45.7m) $236.5m ($282.2m)
PGM ozs production 260,208 195,467 455,675 500,203 44,528 Everest 64,068 - 64,068 157,994 (93,926) All other operations 196,140 195,467 391,607 342,209 49,398 Total production 260,208 195,467 455,675 500,203 (44,528)
Net Profit & Production Comparison by Half Year & Full Year (FY 2009 & 2008)
Major factors influencing the result for the year included:
The significant reduction in metal prices experienced from 30 June 2008, which saw platinum decrease from an average of $2,036 per ounce in the month of June to an average of $840 per ounce in the month of December. Rhodium similarly decreased from an average of $9,774 per ounce in the month of June to $1,220 per ounce in the month of December. In addition, by-product nickel also fell 50%, averaging $6.76/lb for the period compared to $13.47/lb in 1H 2008. This had a significant impact on the valuation of receivables subject to the four month provisional pricing period and was reflected in the first half loss. During the 2009 financial year, the group average 4E PGM basket price (platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold) fell to US$1,044 per ounce compared to US$1,762 in the previous year.
Increase in debt interest charges to $29 million (compared to $19 million) resulting from increased debt level following the repurchase of 20% of AQPSA in the June quarter 2008.
$19.6 million (pre-tax) of adjustments associated with the temporary suspension of mining at the Everest mine on 7 December 2008. $10.1 million of this related to impairment of mining assets damaged in the underground and $9.5 million related to provision for redundancies and inventory losses and care and maintenance costs.
$24 million foreign currency loss (pre-tax) on pipeline advances due to US dollar strengthening during the year.
Declining PGM prices causing $41 million of negative PGM sales adjustments (pre-tax) relating to the previous period but booked during the current financial year. This related to the difference between the value of PGM concentrate sales provisionally priced and recorded in the June quarter 2008 and the actual settled PGM price recorded in the Dec 2008 half.
Non cash $7.2 million adjustment to deferred tax at Mimosa following the dollarisation of the economy
Revenue from ordinary activities for the FY2009 was $311 million (comprising sales revenue of $300 million and interest income of $11 million), down from the previous corresponding period due to the factors described above. After adjusting for the items described above the gross "cash" profit of the Group for the year was $69.5 million.
Revenue Recognition and Revenue Realisation & Margin Reconciliation
Everest suspension Sales Adjustment to gross Reported costs inc. care Adjustments profit for FY 2009 to FY 2009 and maintenance from prior give "cash" profit period FY2008 Recognised Sales $415.6m - - $415.6m Revenue Total Sales ($105.0m) - Add back $41.0m ($64.0m) Adjustments Net Reported $310.6m - Add back $41.0m $351.6m Revenue Cost of Sales ($291.6m) $9.5m - ($282.1m) (excl. D&A) Gross "Cash" $19.0m $9.5m Add back $41.0m $69.5m Profit / - (Loss) Gross "Cash" 6.1% - - 19.8% Margin (%)
Revenue in 2H 2009 was $32 million higher than 1H 2009 despite lower production, reflecting a return to improved PGM prices.
Total mine PGM production for the year increased 1% to 847,283 PGM ounces despite the temporary suspension of Everest in December 2008. Production attributable to Aquarius was 9% lower at 455,675 PGM ounces. The decrease in attributable production was due entirely to the reduction in production at the Everest mine. Encouragingly all other operations increased annual production by 49,463 PGM ounces (13%) compared to FY 2008.
The Group's existing operations are expected to continue to increase production in FY2010 following conclusion of the Ridge Mining acquisition. Ridge Mining's Blue Ridge mine is expected to commence contributing towards group production from Q1 in this current financial year. Blue Ridge is expected to contribute approximately 125,000 PGM ounces (Aquarius' share 62,500 PGM ounces) once steady state production is reached.
Corporate expenses at $9.9 million were slightly lower compared to the previous year.
On mine cash costs at $291.6 million reflects an increase in average group attributable unit costs to R5,474 per PGM ounce or $606 per PGM ounce compared to $622 per PGM ounce in the previous year. This amount includes $9.5 million of costs relating to the suspension of operations at Everest and the ongoing care and maintenance costs since suspension. Amortisation and depreciation was lower at $43 million from $49 million in line with lower production for the year.
Finance charges for the year of $35.6 million included interest payments on the RMB bridge debt facility of $23.6 million; pipeline finance of $3.1 million; and a non-cash charge of $6.7 million on the unwinding of the rehabilitation provision and accretion of interest on debt component of convertible note. The AQPSA RMB bridge facility was repaid in May from proceeds of the recent AQP capital raising. AQP provided the funds to repay the loan by AQPSA, significantly increasing the inter-company loan to $239 million.
Cash Costs at Operations
Rand (4E) per Rand (6E) per Rand (6E) per ounce less ounce ounce by-products Kroondal (P&SA1) 5,174 4,242 4,138 Marikana (P&SA2) 6,677 5,469 5,279 Everest** 6,686 5,471 5,320 Mimosa : note (in 501 477 254 US$) CTRP 3,003 2,047 1,975 Platinum Mile 3,586 - - Group Average (R) 5,474 4,637 4,172 Group Average ($) 606 514 462 *
*Group average calculated using attributable production
**Everest costs not representative (also includes suspension costs)
Group Financials by Operation
Kroondal Marikana Everest Mimosa CTRP Plat Corp Total Mile
PGM ounces 211,039 78,969 64,068 90,011 3,412 8,176 - 455,675 (attributable)
Revenue (net of FX 145.8 53.8 32.6 61.1 2.6 6.8 7.8 310.5 sales variance)
On mine cash costs (122.4) (59.6) (53.1) (48.0) (2.1) (4.1) (2.1) (291.4)
Amortisation and (12.4) (9.5) (3.9) (4.1) (0.2) (0.2) - (30.3) depreciation Gross profit 11.0 (15.3) (24.4) 9.0 0.3 2.5 5.7 (11.2) Amortisation of (6.0) (1.7) - (0.6) - (4.1) - (12.4) fair value
Gross profit after 5.0 (17.0) (24.4) 8.4 0.3 (1.6) 5.7 (23.6) FVU
Other income - - 0.7 0.1 (0.1) 0.1 1.0 1.8 Corporate admin and - - - - - - (9.9) (9.9) other costs Foreign currency (17.9) (1.5) (6.3) (13.4) - - 18.8 (20.3) gain/(loss) Finance charges - - - - - - (36.0) (36.0) Fair value adjustment of conv. - - - - - - 3.8 3.8 bond Impairment of - - (10.1) (3.0) - - (13.1) assets Profit/(loss) (12.9) (18.5) (40.1) (7.9) 0.2 (1.5) (16.6) (97.3) before tax Tax Expense 15.8 Minority interest 35.8 Net Profit/(loss) (45.7) after tax Refinancing Activities
During the quarter Aquarius concluded its capital base restructuring raising gross proceeds of $270 million by way of:
$118.5 million from an equity placement of 46,330,000 common shares;
$73.5 million from a rights issue of 41,491,737 common shares as part of the 1 for 9 rights issue; and
$78.0 million (R650 million) from a convertible bond issue of 65,000 bonds of R10,000 par value.
Details of the capital raising include:
Rights Issue and Equity Placement
On 7 May 2009, Aquarius announced the allotment of 41,491,737 ordinary fully paid shares as part of the 1 for 9 Rights Issue, forming the second tranche of the group refinancing announced in March 2009. Funds raised from the rights issue before fees totalled 44.7 million. This amount is in addition to the 83.4 million raised before fees from the equity placement 46,330,000 shares issued on 26 March 2009 (listed on 2 April 2009). 97.2% of the rights issue was taken up by existing shareholders with the balance placed on market.
Convertible Bonds
Further to the equity placing and rights issues announced in March 2009, the third tranche of refinancing comprised the issue of a convertible bond. On 11 May 2009, Aquarius announced the completion, issue and listing of R650 million floating rate senior secured convertible bonds. A total 65,000 Bonds with a denomination of R10,000 per Bond were listed under the share code AQPB (ISIN Code: ZAE000134540, abbreviated name: AquariusCvt on the Main Board of the JSE Limited.
Fair value movement in embedded derivative component of convertible bond
As the convertible bond was issued in Rand but the functional currency of Aquarius is US dollars, the convertible note represents a financial liability. The embedded derivative portion of this convertible note is required to be measured at fair value with any movement recognised through the income statement. The derivative was fair valued at 30 June resulting in an income statement gain of $3.9 million.
Repayment of Bridge Facility
AQPSA fully repaid the Bridge Loan Facility of R1.577 billion ($177 million) during the year utilising funds borrowed from AQP, those funds being part of the raising described above.
Cash Balances
Group cash balance at 30 June 2009 was $153.6 million. Cash movements during the year were impacted by the net repayment of approximately $90 million of pipeline sales advances resulting from the decline in PGM prices from the time of the advance to the time of sale. Following the recent stabilisation of PGM prices, pipeline advances are not expected to continue to adversely impact cash flow.
Aquarius utilised funds received from the capital raising and convertible bond to reduce group debt by paying out the RMB bridge facility in May 2009. As a result, the group's balance sheet is significantly stronger; group debt comprises $8 million of mainly bank interest bearing debt at Mimosa and $76 million of convertible bonds issued.
Major items greater than $10 million (other than mine operations) that impacted on cash flow are detailed below:
Major Cashflow Item Reconciliation
FY 2009 ($ million) Interest expense ($29) Interest income $12 Proceeds from share placement and rights issue $192 Share issue costs ($13) Proceeds from issue of convertible notes $74
Repayment of loans including RMB Bridge facility $177m, Mimosa ($181) $4 million)
Dividends paid by AQP and minority interest dividends paid by ($30) AQPSA
Capital expenditure and rehabilitation trust contributions ($59)
Group cash reserves at year end totalled $153.6 million and were held in thefollowing entities:AQP $112.8m ACS(SA) (100%) $8.9m AQPSA (100%) $29.5m
Mimosa Investments (50%) $2.3m
Total $153.6m Group Debt
Group interest bearing debt (excluding pipeline advances from smelters and the Convertible Note) reduced to $8 million following the repayment of the RMB bridge facility in May 2009.
Convertible notes: $76 million
65,000 Bonds with a denomination of R10,000 per Bond. The bonds bear interest from (and including) the Issue Date at the rate which is the aggregate for each Interest Period of 3-month JIBAR plus a margin of 3% (three percent) per annum. Interest on the Convertible Bonds will be compounded quarterly in arrear and be paid semi-annually in arrears on 30 October and 30 April in each year commencing on 30 October 2009.
Bank debt
$6 million short term loan at Mimosa.
Acquisition of Ridge Mining plc
Following overwhelming support by Ridge Shareholders on 6 July 2009 who voted in favour of the acquisition of Ridge by Aquarius by means of a scheme of arrangement, the Scheme was sanctioned on 30 July 2009 by the UK Courts. Ridge Mining is now 100% owned by Aquarius Platinum Limited.
Subsequent to year end, Aquarius' South African management team has commenced the integration of the Ridge assets into the Aquarius stable and has earmarked a multi-functional team to manage this process to ensure a smooth transition. Ridge's operating mine, Blue Ridge Mine (50% attributable), which is currently in ramp-up mode should commence contributing to the Aquarius group's production profile immediately. At the completion of the ramp up-phase, the Blue Ridge Mine is expected to produce approximately 125,000 PGM 4E ounces per annum.
Rand US Dollar Exchange Rate
The Rand strengthened marginally against the US Dollar year-on-year from 7.83 to 7.76; however, there was considerable volatility in the rate during the year, with the Rand averaging 9.03 over the year, characterised by a weak currency in the first-half and a stronger currency in the second-half.
Platinum Group Metal Prices ($ per ounce)
PGM prices in US Dollar terms fell significantly during the first half, recovering modestly in the second half. Platinum closed the year 43% lower at $1,183 though still considerably higher than the low of $783 reached in October 2008, palladium 46% lower at $245 per ounce, rhodium 85% lower at $1,450 per ounce with only gold bucking the trend, up 2% to close at $940 per ounce. Encouragingly, PGM prices have continued to recover into the new financial year.
The South African and Zimbabwean PGM basket prices consequently saw significant decreases, averaging 41% lower for the year at US$1,044 per 4PGE ounce for the group. In South Africa the average achieved basket price was US$1,071 per ounce and in Zimbabwe $931 per 4PGE ounce.
Production
The chart below illustrates the annual production profile. While production increased at all mining operations, production decreased in 2009 from 500,203 to 455,675 PGM 4E ounces due to temporary suspension of operations at Everest. This is an equivalent year-on-year increase in annual production of 13% excluding production from Everest (due to temporary suspension) and Platinum Mile (due to only four months contribution in FY 2008).
Production of PGMs attributable to shareholders of Aquarius was 455,675 PGM ounces. The tables below compare production by operation and attributable to Aquarius over the four quarters and year-on-year.
Production by Mine
Quarter Ended Full Year EndedPGMs Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 FY 2008 FY 2009 Kroondal 101,731 109,707 104,920 105,720 391,117 422,078 Marikana 38,883 42,451 38,851 37,753 125,583 157,938 Everest 32,365 31,703 - - 157,994 64,068 Mimosa 43,638 43,232 46,278 46,874 150,832 180,022 CTRP 1,764 1,784 1,587 1,689 9,850 6,824 Platinum Mile 5,983 3,103 2,788 4,479 7,041 16,353 Total 224,364 231,980 194,424 196,515 842,417 847,283
Production by Mine Attributable to Aquarius
Quarter Ended Full Year EndedPGMs Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 FY 2008 FY 2009 Kroondal 50,866 54,854 52,460 52,859 195,558 211,039 Marikana 19,442 21,226 19,426 18,875 62,791 78,969 Everest 32,365 31,703 - - 157,994 64,068 Mimosa 21,819 21,616 23,139 23,437 75,416 90,011 CTRP 882 892 793 845 4,924 3,412 Platinum Mile 2,992 1,552 1,394 2,238 3,520 8,176 Total 128,366 131,843 97,212 98,258 500,203 455,675 FINANCIALS Aquarius Platinum LimitedConsolidated Income StatementYear ended 30 June 2009$'000 Half year ended Year ended Note 30/06/09 31/12/08 30/6/09 30/6/08 Everest mine 0 64,068 64,068 157,994 All other mines 195,467 196,140 391,607 342,209 Attributable Production (PGM 195,467 260,208 455,675 500,203 Ounces) Revenue (i) 171,377 139,179 310,556 919,012 Cost of Sales (including D&A) (ii) (137,006) (197,321) (334,327) (359,873) Gross profit/(loss) 34,371 (58,142) (23,771) 559,139 Other income 1,629 186 1,815 2,109 Corporate Admin & other costs (iii) (5,209) (4,710) (9,919) (10,467) Finance costs (iv) (14,378) (21,590) (35,968) (28,260)
Foreign exchange gains/(losses) (v) 15,971 (36,299) (20,328) 14,286
Fair value movement in derivative (vi) 3,829 - 3,829 -
Impairment of assets (vii) (468) (12,582) (13,050) - Profit/(loss) before tax 35,745 (133,137) (97,392) 536,807 Income tax credit (expense) (viii) (11,357) 27,165 15,808 (173,214) Profit/(loss) after tax 24,388 (105,972) (81,584) 363,593 Minority interest (ix) - 35,842 35,842 (127,119) Net profit/(loss) 24,388 (70,130) (45,742) 236,474 Earnings per share (basic - cents) 11.79 (25.09) (13.30) 91.98
Notes on the June 2009 Consolidated Income Statement
Sales revenue decrease reflects lower PGM basket price achieved.
Costs of sales were 22% higher in Rand terms due to inflationary pressures. In dollar terms costs were marginally up by 2% due to dollar strength.
Corporate administration costs are down from last year but in line.
Increase in finance costs reflects $23.6 million interest paid on the bridge facility (since repaid in May 2009) decreased pipeline finance paid $3.1 million and $8.8 million non cash interest on the unwinding of the rehabilitation provisions and accretion of convertible note interest.
Foreign exchange losses include a $23 million loss on adjusting revenue recorded at time of production at Kroondal, Marikana and CTRP to actual receipts received at the end of the four month pipeline, a $14.9 million gain on the revaluation of group loans, a $1.5 million gain incurred on the revaluation of net monetary assets and the impact of $13.4 million loss due to the depreciating Zimbabwean Dollar
Relates to the movement in the fair value of the derivative component of R650 million ($78 million) convertible bond issued during May 2009.
Includes impairment charges for $10.1 million of Everest mining assets and $2.9 million for listed portfolio in Zimbabwe.
Income tax expense for the period including a non cash adjustment of $7.2 million to deferred tax at Mimosa on account of the dollarisation of the Zimbabwean economy which now requires corporate tax to be paid in US dollars.
Minority interests reflect outside equity interest of the Savannah Consortium (SavCon) for the months of July to October. Aquarius assumed 100% ownership of AQPSA from 27 October following the final phase of the BEE flip which resulted in the SavCon consortium being issued with 65,042,856 shares in Aquarius in return for their 32.5% equity interest in AQPSA.
Aquarius Platinum Limited
Consolidated Cash flow Statement
Year ended 30 June 2009$'000 Half year ended Financial year ended Note: 30/06/09 31/12/08 30/06/09 30/06/08 Net operating cash flow (i) 27,886 (15,880) 12,006 339,073 Net investing cash flow (ii) (48,936) (24,444) (73,380) (118,048) Net financing cash flow (iii) 68,848 (30,094) 38,754 (320,081)
Net increase (decrease) in cash held 47,798 (70,418) (22,620) (99,056)
Opening cash balance 86,954 170,956 170,956 287,663
Exchange rate movement on cash (iv) 18,848 (13,584) 5,264 (17,651)
Closing cash balance 153,600 86,954 153,600 170,956
Notes on the June 2009 Consolidated Cash flow Statement
Net operating cash flow includes inflow from operations ($27 million), net interest paid of $15 million.
Net investing cash flow includes payments for mine development and development costs ($59 million).
Net financing cash flow includes issue of shares $192 million, convertible notes issued $74 million, repayment of loans $181 million, dividend paid $30 million and capital raising costs $13 million.
Exchange rate movement reflects movement of Rand against the US Dollar.
Aquarius Platinum Limited Consolidated Balance Sheet At 30 June 2009 $'000 Financial year ended Note: 30/06/09 30/06/08 Assets Cash assets 153,600 170,956 Current receivables (i) 119,866 186,964 Other current assets (ii) 43,652 35,941 Property, plant and equipment (iii) 228,642 214,314 Mining assets (iv) 271,789 274,270 Other non-current assets (v) 22,645 25,958 Intangibles (vi) 74,167 77,955 Total assets 914,361 986,358 Liabilities Current liabilities (vii) 70,437 267,612 Non-current payables (viii) 1,555 2,219 Non-current interest-bearing liabilities (ix) 70,221 1,657 Derivative financial instrument at fair value (x) 6,084 - Other non-current liabilities (xi) 157,894 170,356 Total Liabilities 306,191 441,844 Net assets 608,170 544,514 Equity Parent entity interest 608,170 508,914 Minority interest - 35,600 Total Equity 608,170 544,514
Notes on the June 2009 Consolidated Balance Sheet
Reflects debtors receivable on PGM concentrate sales.
Reflects PGM concentrate inventory, consumables, stores and critical spares.
Represents fixed assets within the Group.
Includes group's mining assets at Kroondal, Marikana, Mimosa, and Everest.
Includes recoverable portion of rehabilitation provision from P&SA of $11 million, and cash contributed to rehabilitation trusts of $9.4 million
Included intangibles relating to goodwill and contract value acquired on acquisition of 50% equity interest in Platinum Mile Resources (Pty) Ltd.
Decrease from prior year relates to repayment of debt facility valued at $200 million at June 2008.
Reflects P&SA partners' right of recovery of rehabilitation provisions.
Includes convertible loan note debt component of $68.1 million and other interest bearing debt of $2.1 million.
Derivative relates to the fair value of the option component which forms part of the overall convertible note debt.
Reflects deferred tax liabilities of $92 million and provision for closure costs of $65 million.
AQUARIUS PLATINUM (SOUTH AFRICA) (PTY) LTD (Aquarius Platinum 100%)
P&SA1 at Kroondal
Safety
The 12-month rolling average DIIR for the year deteriorated to 0.74 from 0.49 in the previous year. Management measures and safety management systems have been implemented and improvements were realised toward the latter part of the financial year.
Production
Underground production increased 5% year-on-year to 6,488,064 tons and open-pit production ceased during the year in-line with plan providing only 3,360 tons, resulting in a total 2% increase in tons to 6,491,424 tons. The average head grade over the year was marginally lower at 2.57 g/t. Recoveries increased by 3% to 79%. Total PGM production for the year increased 8% to 422,078 PGM ounces (Aquarius attributable: 211,039 ounces).
Kroondal: Metal in concentrate produced (PGM ounces)
Year Ended Pt Pd Rh Au PGMs (4E) Attributable
PGMs (4E) 2009 250,525 123,620 45,912 2,022 422,078 211,039 2008 234,041 113,400 41,852 1,823 391,117 195,558 Revenue
The average achieved PGM basket price for the year decreased 45% to $1,044 per PGM ounce. The cash margin for the year fell 77% to 15%.
Operating Costs
Cash cost per ROM ton increased by 23% to R337 per ton. Consequently, cash costs per PGM ounce, increased 22% to R5,174 per PGM ounce.
P&SA1 at Kroondal: Operating Costs
Rand 4E per ounce Rand 6E per ounce Rand 6E per ounce
(Pt+Pd+Rh+Au) (Pt+Pd+Rh+Ir+Ru+Au) net of by-products (Ni&Cu) FY 2009 5,174 4,242 4,138
P&SA2 at Marikana Platinum Mine
Safety
The 12-month rolling average DIIR for the year deteriorated to 0.91 from 0.54 in the previous year. Management measures and safety management systems have been implemented and improvements were realised toward the latter part of the financial year.
Production
Total tonnes produced increased 27% to 2,638,871, comprising a 28% increase to 1,404,168 tons from underground operations and a 28% increase to 1,234,702 from open pit operations. The ratio of production over the year continued to shift favourably towards underground material which represented 57% of the total production mix in the final quarter. The average head grade reduced to 2.84 g/ t compared to 2.89 g/t in the previous year. Recoveries, however, increased 5% to 67%. Total PGM production increased 26% year-on-year to 157,937 PGM ounces (Aquarius attributable: 78,969 PGM ounces).
Marikana: Metal in concentrate produced (PGM ounces)
Year Ended Pt Pd Rh Au PGMs (4E) PGMs (4E)
attributable 2009 97,203 43,618 16,166 950 157,938 78,969 2008 78,786 33,916 12,073 808 125,583 62,791 Revenue
The average realised PGM basket price for the year decreased 43% to $1,035 per PGM ounce. This resulted in a 41% decrease in mine revenue to R0.96 billion for the year (Aquarius share: R480 million). The cash margin for the year fell to -10%, compared to 42% in 2008.
Operating Costs
Cash cost per ROM ton decreased by 9% to R408. Consequently, cash costs per PGM ounce, decreased 12% to R6,677 per ounce.
Marikana: Operating Costs
Rand (4E) per ounce Rand (6E) per ounce Rand (6E) per ounce
(Pt+Pd+Rh+Au) (Pt+Pd+Rh+Ir+Ru+Au) net of by-products (Ni&Cu) FY 2009 6,677 5,469 5,279 Everest Platinum Mine
In December 2008 Aquarius announced the temporary suspension of the Everest Mine resulting from a subsidence event. An insurance claim was submitted and duly settled.
The area affected by the subsidence has been surveyed, confirming the subsidence is confined to the upper areas of the original decline and previously mined out areas in the vicinity of the decline, and that existing stoping and development areas are not affected. Multiple access alternatives have been evaluated and development of two new declines, one north and one south of the original decline, was identified as the most expedient and capital-efficient means to recommence operations whilst ensuring optimal longer term infrastructure placement in terms of the ore body geometry. Initial focus will be on the establishment of the North decline, which will serve as the main decline (including decline conveyors) whilst the south decline will be used for ventilation, men and material access. Capital of R 77 million has been approved for the first phase of the project: namely the north boxcut, storm water management, temporary and permanent services, access road, initial underground development and rock support.
The first phase of the project will require approximately 6-months to complete with excavation of the North boxcut having commenced in June 2009. Phase 2 of the project includes completion of the decline development, establishment of underground services and the reclamation of infrastructure, equipping of declines and strike sections, and re-establishment of stoping sections. Permanent surface infrastructure, such as mine services and overland conveyers will also be completed during this phase. This preparation, coupled with early production from the open pit area, will enable ramp-up of underground production, with reef stockpiling prior to resumption of milling operations.
Completion of Phase 2 and production ramp-up to process plant resumption will require approximately 10 months. The detail engineering designs associated with Phase 2 are in process, and preliminary Capital Budget Estimates (CBE) have been completed, confirming the capital requirement for the entire project (including Phase 1 and 2) to be approximately R 250 million.
MIMOSA INVESTMENTS (Aquarius Platinum 50%)
Mimosa Platinum Mine
Safety
The DIIR for the year improved to 0.10 from 0.18 in the previous year.
Production
Underground operations delivered a 12% increase in production to 2,111,000 PGM ounces. Tons processed increased 21% to 2,100,000 tons, with the balance going to the stockpile which totalled 436,000 tons at the end of the financial year, equal to 1 months mill feed. The average head grade increased 1% to 3.60 g/t. Recoveries decreased marginally to 74%. PGM production for the year increased 19% to 180,022 ounces (Aquarius attributable: 90,011ounces).
Mimosa: Metal in concentrate produced (PGM ounces)
Year Ended Pt Pd Rh Au PGMs (4E) PGMs (4E)
attributable Aquarius 2009 91,520 69,423 7,170 11,909 180,022 90,011 2008 75,565 77,771 5,996 10,148 150,832 75,416 Revenue
The average PGM basket price for the year was 26% lower at $931 per PGM ounce. Despite higher production, this resulted in a 25% decrease in mine revenue to US$176 million (Aquarius share: 50%). The cash margin for the year fell to 50%.
Operating Costs
Cash costs per Rom ton increased 10% to $43 per ton. Cash costs per PGM ounce increased 12% to $501 per PGM ounce due primarily to dollarisation of the economy. After by-product credits cash costs were $254 PGM ounce.
Mimosa: Operating Costs
$ (4E) per ounce $ (6E) per ounce $ (6E) per ounce
(Pt+Pd+Rh+Au) (Pt+Pd+Rh+Ir+Ru+Au) net of by-products (Ni&Cu)
FY 2009 501 477 254 Wedza Phase 5 Expansion
The Wedza Phase 5.5 Expansion Project was commissioned during the year.
AQUARIUS PLATINUM (SA) CORPORATE SERVICES (PTY) LTD (Aquarius Platinum 50%)
Chromite Tailings Retreatment Plant (CTRP)
Safety
The Plant recorded a DIIR of 0 for the year.
Production
Tons processed decreased by 10% to 246,617,000. The average head grade fell 44% to 2.34 g/t for the year compared to 4.2 g/t in the previous year. Recoveries increased 40% to 38% during the year. Total PGM production, fell 31% to 6,824 PGM ounces (Aquarius attributable: 3,412 ounces).
CTRP: Metal in concentrate produced (PGM ounces)
Year Ended Pt Pd Rh Au PGMs (4E) PGMs (4E)
attributable 2009 4,145 1,512 1,151 15 6,824 3,412 2008 6,114 2,201 1,513 22 9,849 4,924 Revenue
The average PGM basket price for the year was 44% lower at $1,241 per PGM ounce. Reflecting lower production and basket prices, revenue fell 82% to R28 million (Aquarius attributable R14 million). The cash margin for the year decreased to 26% from 82%.
CTRP: Operating Costs
Cash costs per ounce for the year increased 13% to R3,003 per PGM ounce.
CTRP: Operating Costs
Rand 4E per ounce Rand 6E per ounce Rand 6E per ounce
(Pt+Pd+Rh+Au) (Pt+Pd+Rh+Ir+Ru+Au) net of by-products (Ni&Cu)
FY 2009 3,003 2,047 1,975
Platinum Mile (Aquarius Platinum 50%)
Safety
The DIIR was zero for the year. No lost time accidents were recorded.
Production
For the year the operation processed 8,684,000 tons. The average head grade for the year was 0.67 g/t. Recoveries for the period were 9%. Total PGM production, for the period was 16,353 PGM ounces (Aquarius attributable: 8,176 ounces)
Platinum Mile: Metal in concentrate produced (PGM ounces)
Year Ended Pt Pd Rh Au PGMs (4E) PGMs (4E) attributable 2009 9,484 5,069 1,471 329 16,353 8,176
2008 (4 months) 6,114 2,201 1,513 22 7,042 3,520
Revenue
The average PGM basket price for the period was $855 per PGM ounce. Revenue for the period was R129 million (Aquarius attributable R64.5 million). The cash margin for the period was 46%.
Platinum Mile: Operating Costs
The average cash cost per ounce for the period was R3,586 per PGM ounce.
CTRP: Operating Costs
Rand 4E per ounce Rand 6E per ounce Rand 6E per ounce
(Pt+Pd+Rh+Au) (Pt+Pd+Rh+Ir+Ru+Au) net of by-products (Ni&Cu) FY 2009 3,586 nm nm CORPORATE
Capital raising by way of equity placement, rights issue and convertible note issue
During the quarter Aquarius concluded its capital raising package raising gross proceeds of $270 million by way of:
-- $118.5 million from an equity placement of 46,330,000 common shares;
-- $73.5 million from a rights issue of 41,491,737 common shares as part of the 1 for 9 rights issue; and
-- $78 million (R650 million) from a convertible bond issue of 65,000 bonds of par value R10,000.
Details of the capital raising include
Rights Issue (and Prior Period Equity Placement)
On 7 May 2009, Aquarius announced the allotment of 41,491,737 ordinary fully paid shares as part of the 1 for 9 Rights Issue, forming the second tranche of the group refinancing announced in March 2009. Funds raised from the rights issue before fees totalled 44.7 million. This amount is in addition to the 83.4 million raised before fees from the equity placement 46,330,000 shares issued on 26 March 2009 (listed on 2 April 2009).
Convertible Bonds
Further to the equity placing and rights issues announced in March 2009, the third tranche of refinancing comprised the issue of a convertible bond. On 11 May 2009, Aquarius announced the completion, issue and listing of R650 million floating rate senior secured convertible bonds. A total 65,000 Bonds with a denomination of R10,000 per Bond were listed under the share code AQPB (ISIN Code: ZAE000134540, abbreviated name: AquariusCvt on the Main Board of the JSE Limited.
Repayment of Bridge Facility
Aquarius fully repaid the Bridge Loan Facility of R1.6 billion ($177 million) during the year utilising funds raised in capital raising described above.
Appointment of Liberum Capital as New LSE Joint Broker
On 3 June 2009 Aquarius announced the appointment of Liberum Capital Limited to act as joint UK corporate broker with Merrill Lynch International, replacing Investec Securities Limited.
Inclusion in the S&P/ASX 100
Following adjustments to the Standard and Poor's / Australian Securities Exchange index series, Aquarius was accepted for inclusion in the S&P/ASX 100, effective from the close of trade on 19 June 2009.
Ridge Mining
Following overwhelming support by Ridge Shareholders on 6 July 2009 who voted in favour of the acquisition of Ridge by Aquarius by means of a scheme of arrangement, the Scheme was sanctioned by the UK Courts on 30 July 2009. Ridge Mining is now 100% owned by Aquarius Platinum Limited.
Subsequent to year end, Aquarius' South African management team has commenced the integration of the Ridge assets into the Aquarius stable and has earmarked a multi-functional team to manage this process to ensure a smooth transition. Ridge's operating mine, Blue Ridge Mine, which is currently in ramp-up mode, should commence contributing to the Aquarius group's production profile immediately. At the completion of the ramp up-phase, the Blue Ridge Mine is expected to produce approximately 125,000 4EPGM ounces per annum, of which fifty per cent of the production will be attributable to Aquarius.
Dispute
AQPSA is disputing compliance by Sylvania South Africa (Proprietary) Limited ("Sylvania) with the terms of the agreement concluded between AQPSA and Sylvania dated 13 May 2005, relating to the Everest North Project ("Agreement"). Under South African mining law, AQPSA has the exclusive right to apply for a mining right for the farm Vygenhoek, where the Everest North Project is located, to the exclusion of any third party, including Sylvania. Statements by Sylvania on 10 July 2009 in the public domain to the effect that Sylvania has a right to apply for a mining right for the Everest North Project are incorrect and the inclusion by Sylvania of the Everest North Project in its portfolio of projects, is also incorrect. Without the authority and knowledge of AQPSA, Sylvania instructed third party consultants to prepare an application for a mining right for Vygenhoek in the name of AQPSA, which application was lodged without AQPSA's knowledge with the Department of Minerals and Energy ("DME"). That unauthorised lodgement is unlawful within the context of the Agreement and South African mining law and the DME has accordingly withdrawn the unauthorised application. Statements by Sylvania in the financial press as recently as 11 August 2009 that AQPSA is "trying to get out of the Agreement" are misleading as the dispute with Sylvania centres around non - compliance with the Agreement by Sylvania and AQPSA is keeping to the terms of the Agreement. AQPSA has informed Sylvania that AQPSA will not tolerate unlawful interference by Sylvania in AQPSA's Everest North Project within the context of the Agreement and AQPSA has reserved its rights in this regard. AQPSA will defend any legal action instituted by Sylvania and AQPSA disregards the statements by Sylvania in the financial press that AQPSA is "putting" itself "at tremendous legal risk".
AQPSA Appointments
Aquarius announced the appointment of Hugo Holl as the Managing Director of AQPSA on 24 October 2008. Mr Holl was previously the Group Manager for Projects, and Transformation at AQPSA. Further he was the General Manager of the Everest Mine where he worked from the inception of the mine's feasibility as AQPSA Project Manager.
Former Managing Director, Anton Wheeler, has been appointed to the new post as Operations Director of eastern limb operations, which currently comprise the Everest and Blue Ridge mines, enabling him to focus his operational skills on developing these operations to their full potential. In addition, Anton Lubbe has been appointed as Operations Director of the western limb operations, comprising Kroondal and Marikana. Mr Lubbe has 28 years of mining experience, with exposure to gold, platinum, chrome and copper mining.
BEE
On 27 October 2008, Aquarius Platinum announced the completion of the final phase of its South African BEE transaction with SavCon whereby SavCon exchanged its 32.5% shareholding in AQPSA into 65,042,856 new shares in Aquarius, comprising approximately 20% of the enlarged share capital of Aquarius. Subsequently, Aquarius increased its holding in AQPSA to 100% of AQPSA providing a modest boost to earnings. Following the take out of other minorities earlier in the year in Aquarius and AQPSA, Aquarius will also continue to enjoy a 100% free-float.
More information on all the corporate matters can be found at www.aquariusplatinum.com
100% of Kroondal P&SA1 Marikana P&SA2 Mimosa CTRP Platinum Operations Mile Statistical Information 12 12 12 12 Unit 12 mths 12 mths 12 mths 12 mths 12 mths 12 mths mths mths mths mths Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 09 Jun 08 Safety Per DIIR 200,000 0.74 0.49 0.91 0.54 0.10 0.18 0 5.62 0 0 man hrs Revenue and Revenue Drivers
Gross R m in SA/ 2,579 5,248 960 1,638 176 236.0 28 155 129 101 revenue $m in Zim
PGM basket $/oz 1,044 1,887 1,035 1,822 931 1,258 1,241 2,224 855 2,068Price Gross cash % 15 68 (10) 42 50 73 26 83 46 46 margin Nickel $/lb 6.03 12.71 6.03 12.71 6.00 14.35 6.03 12.71 5.71 9.46 Price Copper $/lb 2.23 3.50 2.23 3.50 2.38 3.46 2.23 3.50 2.05 3.47 Price Ave R/$ 9.03 7.23 9.03 7.23 nm - 9.03 7.23 9.01 7.80 rate Cash Costs On-Mine R/ton 337 271 408 446 - 83 96 7 18 Per ROM ton $/ton 37 38 45 62 43 39 9 13 1 2 Per PGM R/oz 5,174 4,241 6,677 7,575 - 3,003 2,666 3,586 7,890(3E+Au) $/oz 573 587 739 1,048 501 446 332 369 398 1,012 Per PGE R/oz 4,242 3,487 5,469 6,273 - 2,047 1,742 nm nm (5E+Au) $/oz 470 482 606 868 477 423 227 241 nm nm Capital Expenditure Current/ R'000s 280,659 347,308 86,614 99,213 - 711 5,617 1,390 221 Sustaining 100% $'000s 31,074 48,045 9,590 13,725 28,132 11,723 79 777 154 28 Expansion R'000s - - - 10,965 - - - 51,879 4,568100% $'000s - - - 1,517 20,278 20,802 - - 5,758 259 Mining and Production Underground ROM ton 6,488 6,207 1,404 1,096 2,111 1,732 - - - - '000s Open Pit ROM ton 3 165 1,234 976 - - - - - '000s Total ROM ton 6,491 6,371 2,638 2,072 2,111 1,732 - 274 8,684 3,153 '000s Plant Head g/t PGM 2.57 2.61 2.84 2.89 3.60 3.57 2.34 4.20 0.97 0.73 Recoveries % 79 77 67 64 74 76 38 27 9 10 Platinum Ozs 250,525 234,031 97,203 78,786 91,520 76,565 4,145 6,114 9,484 4,047 Palladium Ozs 123,620 113,400 43,618 33,916 69,423 58,154 1,512 2,201 5,069 2,197 Rhodium Ozs 45,912 41,852 16,166 12,073 7,170 5,966 1,151 1,513 1,471 661 Gold Ozs 2,022 1,823 950 808 11,909 10,148 15 22 329 135 Total PGM Ozs 422,078 391,117 157,937 125,583 180,023 150,832 6,824 9,849 16,353 7,040(3E+Au) Total PGE Ozs 514,786 16,270 192,807 151,636 189,298 158,948 10,013 15,068 - - (5E+Au) Nickel Tons 429 386 237 193 2,539 2,086 8 12 - - Copper Tons 186 178 131 105 2.074 1,719 4 9 - - Chromite Tons '000s 268 343 162 95 - - - - - - (000) Aquarius Platinum LimitedIncorporated in BermudaExempt company number 26290Board of DirectorsNicholas Sibley Non-executive Chairman Stuart Murray Chief Executive Officer David Dix Non-executive
Timothy Freshwater Non-executive
Edward Haslam Non-executive
Sir William Purves Non-executive
Kofi Morna Non-executive
Zwelakhe Mankazana Non-executive
Audit/Risk CommitteeSir William Purves (Chairman)David DixEdward HaslamNicholas Sibley
Remuneration/Succession Planning Committee
Edward Haslam (Chairman)Nicholas SibleyNomination Committee
The full Board comprises the Nomination Committee
Company SecretaryWilli BoehmAQPSA ManagementStuart Murray Executive Chairman Hugo Holl Managing Director Helene Nolte Director: Finance Hulme Scholes Commercial Director Anton Lubbe Operations Director: West Anton Wheeler Operations Director: East
Graham Ferreira General Manager: Group Admin & Company Secretary
Mkhululi Duka General Manager: Group Human Resources & Transformation
Abraham van Ghent General Manager: Kroondal Wessel Phumo General Manager: Marikana Gabriel de Wet General Manager: Engineering
ACS (SA) Management
Paul Smith Director: New Business
Mimosa Mine Management
Winston Chitando Managing Director Herbert Mashanyare Technical Director Peter Chimboza Resident Director Fungai Makoni General Manager & Company Secretary
Platinum Mile Management
Richard Atkinson Managing Director
Paul Swart Financial Director Issued Capital
At 30 June 2009, the Company had on issue: 415,014,680 shares fully paid common shares and 1,565,249 unlisted options, noting that the Ridge Mining plc acquisition completed post year-end resulting in the issue of 34,087,945 shares to Ridge shareholders.
65,000 Bonds with a denomination of ZAR10,000 per Bond were listed on the JSE during May under share code AQPB (ISIN Code: ZAE000134540, Abbreviated name: AquariusCvt on the Main Board of the JSE Limited on 11 May 2009
Substantial Shareholders 30 June 2009 Number of Shares Percentage
Savannah Consortium 68,658,728 16.54
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 28,916,883 6.97
Chase Nominees 22,593,020 5.44 Trading InformationISIN number BMG0440M1284ADR ISIN number US03840M2089Broker (LSE) (Joint) Broker (ASX) Sponsor (JSE) Liberum Capital Limited Euroz Securities Investec Bank Limited City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street, Level 14, The London, EC2Y 9HT Quadrant 100 Grayston Drive
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3100 2000 1 William Street, Sandown, Sandton
Perth WA 6000 2196 Merrill Lynch International Telephone: +61 (0)8 Telephone: +27 (0) 2 King Edward St 9488 1400 11 286 7326 London, EC1A 1HQ Telephone: +44 (0)20 7628 1000
Aquarius Platinum (South Africa) (Proprietary) Ltd
100% Owned (At 30 June 2009)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration Number 2000/000341/07
1st Floor, Building 5, Harrowdene Office Park, Western Service Park, Woodmead, 2191 South Africa
Postal Address P O Box 76575, Wendywood, 2144, South AfricaTelephone: +27 (0)11 455 2050Facsimile: +27 (0)11 455 2095
Aquarius Platinum Corporate Services Pty Ltd
100% Owned
(Incorporated in Australia)
ACN 094 425 555
Level 4, Suite 5, South Shore Centre, 85 The Esplanade, South Perth, WA 6151,AustraliaPostal Address PO Box 485, South Perth, WA 6151, AustraliaTelephone: +61 (0)8 9367 5211Facsimile: +61 (0)8 9367 5233Email: info@aquariusplatinum.comGlossaryA$ Australian Dollar Aquarius Aquarius Platinum Limited ABET Adult Basic Education Training programme APS Aquarius Platinum Corporate Services Pty Ltd AQPSA Aquarius Platinum (South Africa) Pty Ltd ACS (SA) Aquarius Platinum (SA) (Corporate Services) (Pty) Limited BEE Black Economic Empowerment BRPM Blue Ridge Platinum Mine CTRP Chromite Ore Tailings Retreatment Operation. Consortium comprising Aquarius Platinum (SA) (Corporate Services) (Pty) Limited (ASACS), Ivanhoe Nickel and Platinum Limited and Sylvania South Africa (Pty) Ltd (SLVSA). DIFR Disabling Injury Incidence Rate - being the number of lost-time injuries expressed as a rate per 1,000,000 man-hours worked DIIR Disabling Injury Incidence Rate - being the number of lost-time injuries expressed as a rate per 200,000 man-hours worked DME South African Government Department of Minerals and Energy Affairs Dollar United States Dollar or $ EMPR Environmental Management Programme Report Everest Everest Platinum Mine Great A PGE bearing layer within the Great Dyke Complex in Zimbabwe Dyke Reef g/t Grams per tonne, measurement unit of grade (1g/t = 1 part per million) JORC Australasian code for reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves code JSE JSE Securities Exchange South Africa Kroondal Kroondal Platinum Mine or P&SA1 at Kroondal LHD Load Haul Dump machine Marikana Marikana Platinum Mine or P&SA2 at Marikana
MRC Murray & Roberts Cementation, the principal mining contractor at
Kroondal Mimosa Mimosa Mining Company (Private) Limited MRC Murray & Roberts Cementation, principal mining contractor at Kroondal nm Not measured NOSA National Occupational Safety Association NUM South African National Union of Mineworkers
PGE(s) Platinum Group Elements plus Gold. Five metallic elements commonly (6E) found together which constitute the platinoids (excluding Os
(osmium)). These are Pt (platinum), Pd (palladium), Rh (rhodium), Ru
(ruthenium), Ir (iridium) plus Au (gold)
PGM(s) Platinum Group Metals plus Gold. Aquarius reports the PGMs as (4E) comprising Pt+Pd+Rh plus Au (gold) with the Pt, Pd and Rh being the
most economic platinoids in the UG2 Reef
P&SA1 Pooling & Sharing Agreement between AQPSA and RPM Ltd on Kroondal
P&SA2 Pooling & Sharing Agreement between AQPSA and RPM Ltd on Marikana
R South African Rand Redpath Red Path Mining South African Pty Ltd Ridge Ridge Mining plc ROM Run of Mine. The ore from mining which is fed to the concentrator plant. This is usually a mixture of UG2 ore and waste. RPM Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited
SavCon The Savannah Consortium - the principal Black Empowerment Investor in
Aquarius Platinum TKO TKO Investment Holdings Limited Ton 1 Metric tonne (1,000kg)
UG2 Reef A PGE bearing chromite layer within the Critical Zone of the Bushveld
Complex Z$ Zimbabwe Dollar
For further information please contact:
In AustraliaWilli Boehm or Anne Cully+61 (0)8 9367 5211In South AfricaStuart Murray or Hugo Holl+27 (0)11 455 2050
vendor