ARMS.L Regulatory News (ARMS)

30 Jul 2012 16:16

Bumi plc ("Bumi" or the "Company") 30 July 2012For Immediate Release Trading Update H1 2012

Bumi plc wishes to draw shareholders' attention to the following factors impacting its financial and operating performance for the first six months:

Production

As highlighted in Bumi plc's Interim Management Statement on 10 May 2012, significant levels of rainfall during the first quarter impacted the Wider Group's coal operations in Kalimantan. Heavier than normal levels of rain continued to impact performance in the second quarter, as well as contractor performance issues, with the result that Berau is expected to produce 9.8 million tonnes of coal for the first half (vs. 9 million tonnes, H1 2011). As a result of this, Berau is expected to produce between 20-22 million tonnes of coal for the full year, against an original forecast for the year of 23 million tonnes.

Bumi Resources is expected to produce 32.5 million tonnes of coal for the first half (vs. 29.9 million tonnes in H1 2011). Bumi Resources is forecasting 75 million tonnes for the full year, in line with previous guidance.

Costs

Production unit costs for the first half were higher across the board, with higher fuel and contractor costs and a higher stripping ratio at Berau which impacted performance.

Earnings

The impact of lower than planned production as well as higher costs will affect financial performance. The company expects EBIT to be between $170m - $180m, slightly higher than market consensus.

In respect of Bumi Resources, Bumi plc expects to record an after tax loss for the first half of between $30 to $35 million for its 29.2% stake, before a negative CIC loan derivative and other non-cash adjustments.

As a result of the above (which is subject to a limited audit review), Bumi plc expects to record an after tax loss for the period of between $4 to $8 million. The above figures exclude purchase price allocation amortisation and other non-cash adjustments.

Commenting on the first half, Nalin Rathod, chief executive said "It was disappointing that we delivered lower than planned production in the first half, coupled with higher costs. Severe levels of rainfall in the first half impacted our performance, with heavy rain and flooding in South Kalimantan and heavy rainfall in East Kalimantan. The lower production run rate impacted profitability across the Wider Group with limited ability to offset overheads. For the full year I am confident we will deliver on the 20 - 22 mtpa for Berau. Bumi Resources expects to produce around 75 million tonnes this year, which would bring total production for the Wider Group to around 95 million tonnes, a significant milestone, but one which assumes no material further weather disruption in the second half. Our financial performance will be impacted by the loss we expect to record at associate level, mainly due to the high interest charge and derivative loss relating to Bumi Resources' CIC loan".

Half year results will be published on August 9th 2012.

For enquiries, please contact:

Bumi plc: +44 (0) 20 7201 7507

Nick von Schirnding