Lonmin Regulatory News (LMI)

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LEI No: 213800FGJZ2WAC6Y2L94

REGULATORY RELEASE

14 May 2018

2018 Interim Results

Lonmin Plc ("Lonmin" or "the Company") today publishes its Interim Results for the six month period ended 31 March 2018 and the Q2 Production Report in a separate announcement.

KEY FEATURES

Safety

· 10 months fatality free since July 2017.

· Rolling LTIFR to 31 March 2018 improved by 8.6% and TIFR to 31 March 2018 improved by 12.8%.

· Significant reduction in S54 safety stoppages.

Operational Highlights

· Weak platinum prices and currency movements continue to create a difficult operating environment.

· Tonnes mined from our Generation 2 shafts up 6.4% on prior year.

· Total tonnes mined marginally down by 1.1%, reflecting the planned reduction from high cost areas. Newman shaft and E2 shaft on care and maintenance. Section 189 process commenced, impacting 1,993 staff, with a net headcount reduction of 1,504 employees and contractors, of the 3,700 jobs identified for this year; (12,600 jobs could potentially be impacted over the next three years).

· Immediately Available Ore Reserves ("IAOR") for Generation 2 acceptable at 17.8 months average production.

· Metals-In-Concentrate ("MIC") Platinum production up by 5.8% to 307,862 ounces.

· Saleable refined Platinum production of 284,011 ounces down 5.7% on prior year period, due to the lock up of circa 47,000 PGM ounces from the previously reported outage. Furnace recommissioned and lock-up is expected to unwind in H2 2018.

· Bulk Tailings Treatment ("BTT") project completed and in the process of ramping up to full throughput by H2 2018.

· Unit cost at R12,983 per PGM ounce 7.7% higher compared to prior year, primarily driven by the 8% wage increase, lock up of metals, and higher variable costs.

Financial Results

· Net cash at 31 March 2018 was $17 million ($75 million at 31 March 2017, $63 million at 31 December 2017). Normalising for smelter lock-up of $47 million, net cash at March 2018 in-line with December 2017. During the period under review net cash was further reduced by $27m due to restructuring costs, which are not expected to repeat in H2.

· Gross cash of $167 million, which includes $150 million drawn term loan and $17 million cash.

· Revenue of $561 million up 15.4%, driven by a 26.7% increase in the dollar basket price.

· The Rand was on average 6% stronger against the Dollar when comparing period on period.

· Operating loss of $32 million - prior year period operating loss of $181 million (includes impairment charge of $146 million).

· Covenant waivers remain in place until 28 February 2019 or until the Sibanye-Stillwater Transaction "the Transaction" closes or lapses (if earlier).

Strategic Highlights

· The Transaction is progressing on schedule, with submissions made to competition authorities.

Outlook and Guidance

· Sales guidance of 650,000 to 680,000 Platinum ounces for the full financial year maintained.

· Unit costs guidance for the year maintained; expected to be at the upper end of the R12,000-R12,500 per PGM ounce range.

· Full year capital expenditure guidance revised to between R1.2 billion and R1.3 billion (from R1.4 billion and R1.5 billion).

Commenting on the results Lonmin CEO Ben Magara said: "The Lonmin team remains focused on operational excellence, and dealing successfully with the tougher conditions that currently face our entire industry. I'm particularly pleased with a third consecutive fatality free quarter. Our solid mining performance is demonstrated by the 6.4% increase in mining production from our Generation 2 shafts. We remain in a net cash positive position at the end of the period, demonstrating the strength of our mine-to-market business, notwithstanding the c$47 million from the lock-up of metal, which is expected to unwind in our traditionally stronger second half of the year. All this has been achieved in spite of the period required to close our Transaction with Sibanye-Stillwater and the disruption experienced by our employees. As is typical of transactions of this nature, our focus remains on minimising disruption to the business as we move towards completion. We have to remain cash vigilant in order to maintain a resilient business, ready for the next era. We are maintaining our sales guidance at between 650,000 and 680,000 Platinum ounces for the full year."

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Footnotes:

The Group measures performance using a number of non-GAAP measures which better allow for understanding of the financial performance and position of the Group.

i EBITDA is operating profit before depreciation, amortization and impairment of goodwill, intangibles and property, plant and equipment.

ii Operating loss is defined as revenue less operating expenses before finance income and expenses and share of loss of equity accounted investment.

iii Trading cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities.

iv Free cash flow is defined as trading cash flow less capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment and intangibles, proceeds from disposal of assets and dividends paid to non-controlling interests.

v Net cash as defined by the Group comprises cash and cash equivalents, bank overdrafts repayable on demand and interest bearing loans and borrowings less unamortised bank fees, unless the unamortised bank fees relate to undrawn facilities in which case they are treated as other receivables.

ENQUIRIES

Investors / Analysts:

Andrew Mari (Investor Relations) +27 60 564 6419/+27 14 571 2070

Media:

Notes to editors

Lonmin, which is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, is one of the world's largest primary producers of PGMs. These metals are essential for many industrial applications, especially catalytic converters for internal combustion engine emissions, as well as their widespread use in jewellery.

Lonmin's operations are situated in the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa, where nearly 80% of known global PGM resources are located.

The Company seeks to create value for shareholders through mining, refining and marketing PGMs and has a vertically integrated operational structure - from mine to market. Lonmin's mining operations extract ore from which the Process Operations produces refined PGMs for delivery to customers. Underpinning the operations is the Shared Services function which provides high quality levels of support and infrastructure across the operations.

For further information please visit our website: http://www.lonmin.com

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW

1. Introduction

Following the recommended offer from Sibanye-Stillwater to acquire Lonmin (the 'Transaction'), our management's principal objectives for the Company in 2018 are to continue to manage the deliverables within our control and remain at least cash neutral. I am pleased with the commissioning of the BTT as this will contribute low cost PGM ounces to the Group over the next seven years.

We are making good progress with the Transaction and expect to complete in the second half of the 2018 calendar year. I am particularly pleased that filings were submitted to the Competition Commission of South Africa in March 2018. Subsequently meetings have been held with the Commission and further information provided. Pre-filing with the Competition and Markets Authority in the UK also took place in April 2018.

The operating environment remains challenging, as the Company strives to balance economic, social and environmental imperatives. The platinum mining industry has delivered negative returns in the last decade as a result of low platinum prices and inflationary cost pressures. The challenging "lower for much longer" platinum pricing environment is creating long-term damage to an already ailing industry which has sacrificed at least 26, 000 jobs in the last five years and continues to under-invest in its future. Despite its great mining and processing assets, Lonmin continues to be hamstrung by the macro economic challenges, its capital structure and liquidity constraints.

Comparing the Rand:USD exchange rates at the balance sheet dates, the Rand strengthened by 13% against the Dollar from R13.55:$ at 30 September 2017 to R11.83:$ at 31 March 2018 driven by positive sentiments brought about by the election of Mr Cyril Ramaphosa as President of the ANC in December and subsequently as President of South Africa in February 2018. Early efforts to root out the perceived corruption and appointing competent boards at State Owned Enterprises have been warmly welcomed, with credit rating agencies holding out on downgrading South Africa. However, the recent renewal of service delivery protests poses a real threat to the renewed confidence and the "new dawn".

Lonmin remains in net cash positive position at the end of the period with net cash of $17 million as at 31 March 2018. However, normalising this figure to allow for the smelter lock-up of $47 million would result in net cash at March 2018 of $64 million, which would have been in-line with the net cash of $63 million at 31 December 2017. The lock-up is expected to unwind within the second half of the year. In addition, the smelter clean-up project is expected to deliver around 13,000 PGM ounces, equivalent to around $13 million of cash inflows in H2 2018.

We have succeeded in making progress in this tough operating environment by improving our production performance and remaining fatality free for the last ten months, notwithstanding the anxiety weighing on our employees caused by the lengthy period to close the Transaction. We are continuing with the removal of high cost ounces and the related restructuring of our business, together with the operational efficiency improvement program which commenced in 2015, which would potentially see 12,600 employees and contractors removed over the three financial years of FY2018, FY2019 and FY2020. Of the 3,700 employees (including approximately 800 contractors) we expect to be impacted in the current year, 1,993 employees and contractors have already been impacted during this period, including through natural attrition, with a net reduction in headcount of 1,504. I thank our employees for their continued resilience and maintaining focus in a challenging environment.

2. Safety

I am particularly pleased that Lonmin is now 10 months fatality free since July 2017. Our safety strategy is centred on the belief that Zero Harm is achievable and important contributions are required from all stakeholders to achieve this. Lonmin is grateful to the collaboration among its management, employees and the Rustenburg DMR Inspectorate. All our Generation 2 shafts are currently on millionaire status (fatality free shifts), notably Saffy shaft is on 6.0 million fatality free shifts (four years).

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate ("LTIFR") improved by 8.6% to 4.13 at 31 March 2018 from 4.52 at 30 September 2017 on a 12 month rolling basis. Year on year, the LTIFR has improved by 16%. Our Total Injury Frequency Rate ("TIFR") improved 13% to 10.39, from 11.92 at 31 March 2017.

Several Processing plants have achieved one year or more Lost Time Injury ("LTI") free status, i.e. Assay Lab - 12 years LTI free and K4 Concentrator and the PMR are both two years LTI free.

We believe that this good performance is as a result of our heightened focus on positively influencing employee behaviour. The Near-Miss programme rolled out throughout the operations and the proactive cross-site audits to verify levels of compliance with Lonmin Life rules are enabling the identification of underlying high potential risks and assisting the organisation to manage proactively the risks and hazards. We continue to carry out frequent safety inspections to ensure learnings from serious injuries and fatalities from the industry are implemented.

We are continuing to see a reduction in the number and impact of Section 54s stoppages. The number of Section 54s issued in the first half of FY18 (17) is 50% lower than the previous year (34). We believe this is a reflection of our improving safety performance and our on-going efforts to effectively engage with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), as well as developing an improved understanding and working relationship with the inspectorate and our employees and organised labour.

3. Production Performance

Mining Operations

Generation 2 shafts

Tonnes mined from our Generation 2 shafts were 3.5 million tonnes, an increase of 6.4% or 211,000 tonnes on the prior year period.

· K3, our biggest shaft, produced 1,339,000 tonnes in H1 2018, an increase of 14.2% on the prior year period. 

· Saffy shaft produced 1,019,000 tonnes in H1 2018, an increase of 2.9% on the prior year period, demonstrating that the shaft is maintaining its steady state performance, and is now focused on efficiency improvements.

· Rowland shaft produced 866,000 tonnes in H1 2018, a decrease of 1.2% or 10,000 tonnes on the prior year as mining levels reach the extremities of Rowland's lease area and the reducing IAOR at the operation and the resultant limited mining flexibility. Rowland's IAOR now stands at 10.2 months and Lonmin believes that the shaft has sufficient IAOR for at least the current financial year. The shaft's future flexibility to continue to operate at optimal levels post the current financial year will be compromised in the event third party funding for its MK2 extension project is not secured. Lonmin is progressing discussions to secure partial third party funding for this project.

· On completion of the Pandora acquisition, combined with the progress made pursuant to our recovery plans, the E3 shaft and Pandora production have been combined and reclassified as a Generation 2 shaft, with comparative numbers adjusted accordingly. The combined area produced 294,000 tonnes, an increase of 9.7% on the prior year period.

Generation 1 shafts

The performance at the Generation 1 shafts is in line with our plan to reduce high cost production in a low price environment. Tonnes mined from our Generation 1 shafts (4B, Hossy, W1 and E1 and E2) were 1.1 million tonnes, a decrease of 19.4%, or 260,000 tonnes on the prior year period, reflecting the expected decline in production. The decrease is also due to both Newman and E2, which produced in H1 2017, now being on care and maintenance. E2 shaft was put on care and maintenance in November 2017 due to the remaining limited reserves becoming uneconomical to mine in the current macro-economic environment.

As previously reported, following a review of 4B's performance and reserve life, this shaft was reclassified as a Generation 1 shaft and comparative numbers adjusted accordingly. 4B produced 596,000 tonnes, a decrease of 12.5% on the prior year period, as the challenging geological conditions persist and mining on the UG2 reef horizon approaches the end of the resource life.

As W1 and E1 are mining remnant areas, these shafts are at the end of their resource lives and contractors continue to operate them and they are responsible for all the costs associated with such shafts. Lonmin pays a predetermined rate per tonne, which has been reduced in line with Lonmin's cost cutting measures. We thus retain the flexibility to cease production if and when unprofitable.

Hossy shaft was scheduled to be put on care and maintenance, but it continues to demonstrate potential to contribute to the business. Based on this and the available and planned IAOR, we will continue to operate Hossy for the duration of FY 2018.

Ore Reserve Development

Summary of Immediately Available Ore Reserves

· We closely monitor our Immediately Available Ore Reserve position, in order to protect our operational flexibility.

· The ore reserve position of the Marikana mining operations at 2.8 million square metres represents an average of 16.7 months' production, down from 19.0 from September 2017, but still well above the industry benchmark of around 15 months.

· The decrease in Rowland available ore reserve to 10.9 months is due to current mining levels reaching the extremities of Rowland's lease area and remains a concern.

Production Losses

We are encouraged that tonnes lost due to Section 54 safety stoppages for the first half of the year were significantly lower at 15,000 tonnes compared to the prior year period of 194,000 tonnes. This emphasised our improving safety record and continued proactive engagement with all stakeholders including unions, employees and the DMR Inspectorate.

We are continuing to see a reduction in the number and impact of Section 54s, with seventeen stoppages issued in the first half of the year, compared to thirty four in the previous year.

Process Operations

Platinum production (Metals-in-Concentrate) was 307,862 ounces, an increase of 5.8% on the prior year period and PGM production (Metals-in-Concentrate) was 590,257 ounces, an increase of 5.7% on the prior year period.

Concentrator production - Mining

Total tonnes milled from mining operations in the period under review were 4.7 million tonnes, up 1.4% or 0.1 million tonnes, on H1 2017.

Underground milled head grade was 4.57 grammes per tonne, marginally higher than the 4.56 grammes per tonne from H1 2017. Underground concentrator recoveries for the half year remained excellent at 87.5%, exceeding the 86.8% achieved in H1 2017.

Concentrator production - BTT

The BTT project was successfully hot commissioned on 14 February within budget, and is on track to ramp up and reach full throughput during H2 2018. Once at steady-state, the project is expected to deliver amongst the lowest cost ounces in the Lonmin portfolio, producing about 29,000 ounces of Platinum per year or some 55,000 ounces of PGMs. The project is expected to be mined over a seven-year period and further tailings dams are being explored for life extension.

Since commissioning in February, 347,000 tonnes were milled from the BTT project, equivalent to 759 Platinum ounces and 1,440 PGM ounces. The feed from the BTT project will have relatively low milled head grade and recovery rates when compared to underground ore. We expect the current levels to improve as the project continues to ramp up and for milled head grade and recovery rates to average 1.4 grams per tonne and 31% respectively over the life of the project.

Smelting and Refining

Total saleable refined Platinum production for H1 2018 at 284,011 ounces was 5.7% or 17,249 ounces lower than H1 2017, due to the lock-up of 47,000 PGM ounces as a result of the unplanned outage on Furnace Number One on 2 December 2017 as previously reported. We expect the lock-up of ounces to unwind within the second half of the financial year.

There was no release of Platinum ounces from the smelter clean-up project during this period due to the furnace outage, compared to the 10,295 Platinum ounces release in H1 2017. It is expected that circa 13,000 PGM ounces will be released from the smelter clean-up project during the second half of the year.

Platinum sales for the six months period were 287,749 ounces, 6.3% lower than prior year period; this included 7,525 Platinum ounces equivalent of BMR concentrate sold, to unlock some of the cash associated with the lock-up. PGM sales of 554,637 ounces were achieved, 9.1% lower than prior year period. The mix of metals sold increased revenue by $19 million mainly due to the higher proportion of Platinum and Palladium sold in H1 2018.

Furnace Number One was recommissioned after the unplanned outage, with the first matte tap taking place on 13 February. Number Two furnace was on a planned shut-down from 3 April and has since been started up and is now operating.

Shaft Head Cost Per Tonne and Per PGM Ounce

The Generation 2 shafts shaft head cost per tonne and per PGM ounce were R1,014 and R8,083 respectively, an increase on H1 2017 of 6.2% and 4.3%.

· At K3, the shaft head cost per tonne and per PGM ounce was R1,000 and R8,677 respectively, a decrease on H1 2017 of 3.0% and 4.2%, due to the higher volumes, offset by higher spend.

· At Rowland, the shaft head cost per tonne and PGM ounce at R1,043 and R8,508 respectively represented cost increases on H1 2017 of 11.2% and 14.0%, reflecting the lower volumes.

· Saffy has become and remains one of our lowest cost Generation 2 shafts at R958 per tonne and R7,037 per PGM ounce. There was an increase on H1 2017 of 8.0% and 2.5% respectively.

· At E3 shaft (Lonmin), the shaft head cost per tonne and per PGM ounce was R1,275 and R9,115 respectively, an decrease on H1 2017 of 1.8% and 20.3%, following the volume increases associated with the Pandora acquisition.

4. Funding and Liquidity, Profitability, Costs and Capital Expenditure

As at 31 March 2018, the Group had gross cash of $167 million. Net cash after deducting the term loan of $150 million from the gross cash, was $17 million compared with net cash of $75 million at 31 March 2017, due to the $47 million locked up by the smelter outage and expected to release in the second half of the financial year. As detailed in the Financial Review section, the Group has undrawn debt facilities which are subject to financial covenants, which include that the consolidated tangible net worth (TNW) of the Group will not be at any time less than $1,100 million. TNW has been below this threshold since 30 September 2017 and covenant waivers were agreed with the lenders during the period under review. At 31 March 2018 the TNW of the Group was significantly below the waived covenant threshold at $631 million (September 2017 - $674 million). The covenant waivers are conditional on the completion of the acquisition of the Transaction; consequently, the waiver period runs to 28 February 2019, the long stop date of the Transaction, or until the Transaction closes or lapses (if earlier). The outcome of conditions precedent to the Transaction represents a material uncertainty to the completion of the Transaction and going concern assumptions. The external auditors in their review report draw attention to the material uncertainty over going concern. More detail is available in the Financial Review section as well as note 9 to the accounts.

Operating loss was $32 million, compared to operating loss of $181 million (which included an impairment charge of $146 million) in the prior year period on revenue of $561 million (H1 2017 - $486 million).

Measures to improve liquidity as part of the Operational Review are in progress as detailed below:

Chrome revenue

The historical pricing in our legacy chrome contract is not aligned to the current market pricing. This is extremely prejudicial to Lonmin and is not sustainable. This contract constitutes 80% of our chrome production. We are working with our partner to find an equitable solution.

Cost of Production per PGM Ounce

Unit costs for the six months under review were R12,983 per PGM ounce, a 7.7% increase on H1 2017, primarily reflecting the 8% wage increase, lock-up of metals and higher variable costs. The release of the metal lock-up position in H2 is expected to have a positive impact on smelting and refining unit costs. This expectation, combined with the fact that the second half of the financial year is traditionally our strongest, and absent any unexpected interruptions to the smooth running of operations, allows us to maintain our guidance for unit costs, at the upper end of the R12,000-R12,500 per PGM ounce range for the full year.

Sale of BMR concentrate

7,525 Platinum ounces equivalent of BMR concentrate were sold to unload some of the cash associated with the lock-up.

Capital Expenditure

Our strategy is to minimise capital expenditure whilst ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards and ensuring that the Immediately Available Ore Reserve position is maintained at the level necessary to support planned production at the Generation 2 shafts. Capital expenditure in H1 was limited to R411 million (around $33 million compared with R612 million (around $45 million) in the prior year period as we continue to use capital expenditure as a cash management lever. Accordingly, the stay in business capital which is considered low risk, was deferred.

The BTT construction was largely completed in the FY 2017, and the capital spent in this period of R57 million mainly related to commissioning.

The capital spent on smelting and refinery of R81 million was largely on rebuilding Furnace Number One. Capital invested in the period included R84 million for the Rowland MK2 project and only the 26 level project is being continued on K3, with capital spend of R38 million.

Rowland MK2 project is underspent mainly due to containment of capital spend in a cash strained environment. Lonmin is progressing discussions to secure partial third party funding for this project. Timing of the funding is of the essence since capital allocation for MK2 is expected to run out in the third quarter and we have investigated a contingency plan to have limited ore extraction from this project should the negotiations stall. The shaft's future flexibility to continue to operate at optimal levels post the current financial year will be compromised in the event third party funding for its MK2 extension project is not secured.

As a result of the deferrals, we have reviewed and revised our capital expenditure guidance for the current year to between R1.2billion and R1.3 billion from our original guidance of R1.4 billion to R1.5 billion, whilst minimising the near term impact on production. As in previous years, capital expenditure will be H2 weighted.

The capital spent on infill apartments was $46 million, marginally higher than in H2 2017, and the delivery of 447 units by December 2018 remains on schedule.

Summary of Capital Expenditure:

5. PGM Market Overview

Palladium traded at a premium to platinum over the six months under review for the first time since 2001. The palladium price rose 4% to $970/oz having traded as high as $1,129/oz in January. Platinum underperformed rising 3% to $936/oz, while rhodium was the clear outperformer gaining 72% to $2,040/oz.

Platinum jewellery demand continued to struggle in China, its largest market, but the broader jewellery market is improving which could help stabilise platinum jewellery demand. Automotive platinum demand declined as growth in global light and heavy duty commercial vehicle sales have so far added insufficient demand to offset the declining Western European diesel passenger car market, which is set to continue to shrink, albeit at a slower pace. Global light vehicle sales are rising and gasoline is gaining share in Europe resulting in strong demand for palladium and rhodium, which has resulted in elevated lease rates.

Platinum's contribution to Lonmin's PGM basket revenues reduced from 65% to 53%, while Palladium improved by 6 points to 27% and Rhodium increased from 9% to 14% of the total revenue basket.

Pie chart of relative contribution to basket of each metal between 2017 and 2018.

6. Greater Lonmin Community

As part of our values as a Company, we continue to make improvements in the lives of our immediate communities and labour sending areas. One of the achievements I am proud to announce is the launch of our Grievance System, aptly named Buang Le Rona (meaning talk to us), which is aimed at opening even further the ways in which our community can engage with Lonmin. The system went live in April 2018.

We have also continued to invest in the areas of community healthcare, education and social infrastructure, and recently opened two schools. I am particularly proud of the work that the Sixteen Eight Memorial Trust has done and I wish our three beneficiaries who have graduated from their respective tertiary institutions well as they pursue their future ambitions.

Focus has also continued on initiatives to improve the general wellbeing of our employees including housing and living conditions, and the delivery of 447 infill apartments by December 2018 remains on schedule, as mentioned under the capital expenditure section.

Our ambulance programme saw 21 panel vans secured and converted into 17 ambulances, with one patient transporter donated to the Department of Health as part of our Social Labour Plan commitments.

Our Employee Indebtedness Rehabilitation Programme has saved employees approximately R7 million.

As Lonmin we will continue to collaborate and create shared value with our stakeholders and communities, because we believe that with collaboration, trust and respect, we can unearth the true potential of our social partners and our business.

7. Board Update

As announced on 13 March 2018, Dr Len Konar, who had been a non‐Executive Director of the Company since 2010, decided to retire from the Lonmin Board with effect from 14 March 2018. We thank Len for his contribution to Lonmin and wish him well in his international endeavours.

8. Update on offer by Sibanye Stillwater

Lonmin's Operational Review in 2017, focused on determining the best ways of preserving value for shareholders and safeguarding the long-term interests of employees and all key stakeholders, and this was superseded by the recommended offer from Sibanye-Stillwater to acquire Lonmin.

The consolidation of Sibanye-Stillwater and Lonmin will increase utilisation of Lonmin's under-utilised processing capacity. The consolidation of Rustenburg Platinum Mines, Aquarius South Africa & Marikana is the most rational geographic and strategic fit due to the geographical proximity of mines and it will facilitate the rationalisation of the K3/Siphumelele mine boundary. The combination will unlock operational synergies and will enable Sibanye-Stillwater to become a fully integrated PGM producer in South Africa.

Some of the key milestones for Transaction closure include competition and regulatory approvals in relevant jurisdictions, approval by Lonmin and Sibanye-Stillwater shareholders following all regulatory approvals, and UK court approval of the scheme of arrangement to implement the Transaction. The South African and UK Competition Commission filings were both submitted during this period. We expect the Transaction to close in the second half of the 2018 calendar year.

9. Outlook and Guidance

We are maintaining our sales guidance at between 650,000 and 680,000 Platinum ounces for the full year.

Unit cost guidance for the full year is being maintained at the upper end of the range of between R12,000 and R12,500 per PGM ounce. The reversal of the metal lock up due to the furnace outage in the first half and the recommissioning of Furnace Number One is expected to have a positive impact on unit costs in the second half. Mining production in the second half of the year is traditionally stronger, which results in better unit costs in the second half. We therefore expect the production levels to contribute to the reduction in unit cost per PGM ounce in the second half, and accordingly, we are maintaining unit cost guidance for the year.

Full year capital expenditure guidance revised to between R1.2 billion and R1.3 billion from our original guidance of between R1.4 billion and R1.5 billion with no expected impact on current year production.

10. Conclusion

The Lonmin team remains focused on operational excellence, and dealing successfully with the tougher conditions that currently face our entire industry. I'm particularly pleased with a third consecutive fatality free quarter. We expect the $47 million of metals lock-up to be released in the current half year. Sales volumes in the second half of the year normally exceed those of the first half. Our smelting and refining division is now able to operate at full capacity. These factors underpin our net cash at the year-end. We remain hamstrung by our capital structure and liquidity constraints which limit our ability to exploit our high quality ore reserves and assets. In current conditions, approximately 12,600 jobs in Lonmin are at risk over the next three years. The Transaction with Sibanye-Stillwater would provide a far stronger base for all our stakeholders including employees and we are focused on its successful completion. Our sales guidance for the full-year is 650k oz to 680k oz of Platinum. I am grateful to all the employees who have continued to show their commitment to contributing to the business.

Ben Magara

Chief Executive Officer

12 May 2018

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Liquidity and Funding

The Group had gross cash of $167 million at 31 March 2018 together with a fully drawn term loan of $150 million. An unplanned outage at the Number One furnace in December 2017 resulted in an inventory lock-up of 47,000 PGM ounces or c$47 million which is expected to be released in the second half of the year. The debt facilities available to the Group are subject to financial covenants, which include that the consolidated tangible net worth (TNW) of the Group should not be at any time less than $1,100 million. TNW has been below this threshold since 30 September 2017 and covenant waivers were agreed with the lenders during the period under review. The covenant waivers are conditional on the completion of the acquisition of the Group by Sibanye-Stillwater (the Transaction). The waiver period runs from 30 September 2017 to 28 February 2019, the long stop date of the Transaction or until the Transaction closes, lapses or is withdrawn, if sooner. A condition of the waivers was that $66 million of the revolving credit facilities was cancelled and that the Group leaves undrawn all remaining revolving credit facilities during the waiver period. At 31 March 2018 the TNW of the Group was significantly below the waived covenant threshold at $631 million (September 2017 - $674 million). See note 9 to the interim financial statements for further details. The other debt covenants are well within thresholds and are not considered to be at risk.

As disclosed in note 1 to the interim financial statements the covenant waiver on the existing debt facilities is conditional on the completion of the Transaction. The key conditions precedent to the Transaction are receipt of relevant clearances from the competition authorities in South Africa and the UK and approval from Lonmin Plc and Sibanye-Stillwater shareholders. As previously reported in the 2017 Financial Statements which were published on 22 January 2018, whilst it is not a condition of the Transaction the Directors anticipate that the Sibanye-Stillwater shareholders would have a preference for Lonmin to be in a net cash position after repaying the $150 million term loan. We are not in full control of the approvals and there is a risk that the Group net cash position could be materially impacted by adverse changes in PGM prices, Rand:Dollar exchange rates or operational factors. This introduces a material uncertainty that requires consideration in the assessment of going concern.

On, or immediately prior to, completion of the Transaction the facilities agreements require that the $150 million term loan is repaid and the debt facilities cancelled. In the event that the Transaction does not complete, the waiver will cease to apply and the TNW covenants will be reinstated. If they are then breached, the $150 million loan may be required to be repaid. The covenant waivers allow for a 20 business day grace period whilst other options are pursued on condition that the Company is engaging with the lenders. During the 20 day grace period the Company will not be required to repay the loan. During this period, the feasibility of an asset sale to Sibanye-Stillwater, as contemplated in the Rule 2.7 announcement as well as any other alternative transactions will be assessed by the Board, including revisiting some opportunities identified during the Operational Review in the prior year. If alternative transactions do not provide sufficient proceeds to repay the Group's borrowings, or if the Group itself does not have sufficient gross cash reserves, then the lenders are likely to withdraw their facilities and the Group is likely to be unable to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

The external auditors in their review report draw attention to the material uncertainty over going concern. Whilst there exists an inherent uncertainty regarding the liquidity of the Group, the Directors consider that it remains appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis. Operational measures to improve liquidity are in progress as detailed in the CEO's review.

Overview

The Dollar PGM basket price in H1 2018 was 27% higher than H1 2017. Whilst the platinum price was on average 1% lower than H1 2017 the average Palladium price achieved was 39% higher and the average Rhodium price achieved was 101% higher than H1 2017. See the CEO's review for further details on the PGM market.

PGM volumes sold were 9% lower than H1 2017 due to restricted processing capacity following an unplanned outage of the Number One furnace in December 2017. The lock-up of inventory amounted to 47,000 ounces of PGMs which is expected to be released in the second half of the year.

Cost in Rand terms increased by R1,096 million or 16% driven by the 8% wage increase and R230 million of costs incurred for voluntary separation packages, restructuring and transaction costs. Concentrate purchases increased by R173 million; shaft head costs increased by R195 million associated with the acquisition of the remaining 50% in the Pandora joint venture, offset by a reduction of R94 million in ore-purchases from the joint venture compared to the prior year period; the cost of the K3 chrome plant was R91 million (H1 2017 - Rnil) as the costs are recognised gross under the new, more favourable contract; and the start-up of the bulk tailings treatment plant increased costs by R75 million.

The Rand was on average 6% stronger against the Dollar when comparing period on period and the increase in costs in Dollar terms was 24% or $123 million.

The cost of production per PGM ounce at R12,983 was 8% higher than H1 2017 driven by the 8% wage increase, the lock up of metals in process at the smelter which contributed an estimated R117 per ounce as well as higher variable costs. Further details on unit costs can be found in the Operating Statistics section of the Report.

The operating loss for H1 2018 was $32 million compared to a loss of $181 million including an impairment charge of $146 million in H1 2017. The depreciation charge was $29 million lower period on period due to the impact of the impairment on the carrying amount of assets in 2017. Loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (LBITDA) for H1 2018 was $(26) million, a decline of $26 million on H1 2017 as the increase in metal prices was more than offset by the strength of the Rand against the Dollar and cost escalations.

Net cash at 31 March 2018 was $17 million being gross cash of $167 million offset by the drawn term loan of $150 million. This was $86 million lower than 30 September 2017 and $46 million lower than December 2017. However, normalising for the smelter lock-up of $47 million would reduce the decrease on September 2017 to $39 million and net cash at March 2018 would have been in-line with December 2017. The cash outflow from operations for the period was $48 million, a decrease of $10 million on H1 2017 driven by the decreased profitability. Capital expenditure in the period was $33 million, a decrease of $12 million on H1 2017 due to the implementation of cash conservation measures.

Income Statement

Revenue

Total revenue for H1 2018 of $561 million reflects an increase of $74 million compared to H1 2017. The US Dollar PGM basket price (including by-products) increased by 27% compared to the H1 2017 average price, resulting in an increase in revenue of $83 million. In Rand terms the basket price (including by-products) increased by 19% as the stronger Rand partially offset the overall increase in Dollar prices. The average prices achieved on the key metals sold are shown below:

The PGM sales volume for H1 2018 was 9% lower compared to H1 2017, which had a negative impact on revenue of $41 million. This was mainly attributable to the lock-up of inventory as described above.

The mix of metals sold increased revenue by $19 million mainly due to the higher proportion of Platinum and Palladium sold in H1 2018. Base metal revenue increased by $13 million largely as a result of an increase in prices compared to H1 2017.

Costs

In Rand terms South African operating costs for H1 2018 at R7.9 billion were c16% or cR1.1 billion higher than H1 2017. The impact of the stronger Rand against the Dollar meant that in Dollar terms costs increased by 23% to $622 million.

Mining costs including bulk tailings increased by R525 million or 12% period on period driven by the 6% increase in tonnes mined at the Generation 2 shafts, escalation and R195 million of shaft head costs associated with the acquisition of the remaining stake of 50% in the Pandora joint venture, offset by a reduction of R94 million in ore-purchases from the joint venture. Bulk tailings commenced ramp up in February 2018 and mining cost associated with bulk tailings amounted to R23 million in the period (H1 2017 - Rnil). Additional overtime cost was incurred as well as increased contractor costs to mitigate the impact of lower than planned productivity improvements.

Concentrating costs included bulk tailings concentrating costs of R52 million (H1 2017 - Rnil) which drove an overall increase in costs of R21 million or 3%, in-line with the increase in volumes. Smelting and refining costs were R94 million or 13% higher than the prior year period driven by escalation, the running of the higher cost pyromet furnaces during the outage at the Number One furnace, lower grade material due to the impact of the bulk tailings stream and an increase in security costs. A more favourable contract for the K3 chrome plant commenced in September 2017. This was structured in a different manner to the previous contract with revenue and costs recognised gross rather than net. As a result operating costs of R91 million were recognised in H1 2018 compared to Rnil in H1 2017.

Ore purchases from the Pandora joint venture ended in December 2017. Concentrate purchases increased by R173 million period on period driven by increased volumes following the commencement of a new concentrate purchase agreement in H2 2017.

The cost of voluntary separation packages (VSPs) associated with the s189 process amounted to R161 million in H1 2018. Transaction costs relating to the Operational Review, the Transaction with Sibanye-Stillwater to date and the acquisition of Pandora amounted to R69 million in H1 2018.

UK costs at $12 million were $5 million higher than the prior year period due to $7 million restructuring and transaction costs incurred in H1 2018.

LBITDA

The $26 million decline between the LBITDA of $nil for H1 2017 and LBITDA of $(26) million for H1 2018 is analysed below:

Exchange rate impacts

The Rand strengthened by 6% against the US Dollar during the period averaging R12.78/$ in H1 2018 compared to an average of R13.56/$ in H1 2017 resulting in a $44 million negative impact on the underlying operating cost of sales.

Metal stock movement

Excluding the impact of exchange rate movements the increase in metal stock of $30 million comprised an increase in metal stock of $59 million in H1 2018 compared with $29 million in H1 2017.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation and amortisation decreased by $29 million period on period driven by the impairment of assets in 2017.

Net finance costs

Net finance income of $5 million for H1 2018 increased by $20 million on H1 2017 driven by exchange gains due to the Rand strength.

The net bank interest charge for the period was $3 million (H1 2017 - $2 million). Bank fees for the period amounted to $3 million (H1 2017 - $4 million) and included $1.4 million commitment fees on the draw-stopped RCFs. The commitment fees of $1.0 million on the draw-stopped $147 million Rand RCF are only payable once the draw-stop is removed. Commitment fees of $0.4 million on the draw-stopped $25 million Dollar RCF continue to be payable during the waiver period. Exchange gains on net cash in H1 2018 amounted to $16 million (H1 2017 - $4 million) as the Rand strengthened by 13% in the period under review compared with a strengthening of 2% in the prior year period.

The Historically Disadvantaged South Africans (HDSA) receivable is the Sterling loan to Phembani Group (Proprietary) Limited (Phembani). The receivable is disclosed as a current asset as the preference shares are redeemable at any time on or after 8 July 2015 at Lonmin's request. The receivable is secured on the HSDA's shareholding in Incwala, whose only asset of value is its underlying investment in WPL, EPL and Akanani. It is not our current intention to request redemption as Phembani could forfeit the loan and the 50.03% that Phembani holds in Incwala would revert to Lonmin. There is ongoing engagement with Phembani around this matter.

The gross loan, excluding impairments in prior years of $450 million, attracted an exchange gain for the period of $19 million (H1 2017 - exchange loss of $12 million) due to the strengthening of Sterling against the US Dollar. The value of the security is driven by the value of WPL, EPL and Akanani and was impaired to $nil at 30 September 2017 due to the decline in the valuation of the Marikana operations. Prior year impairments are based in US Dollar, being the Group's functional currency, resulting in no exchange gains on the impairment. Accrued interest on the loan in the period amounted to $15 million (H1 2017 - $12 million). The loan was impaired by $34 million in the period to offset interest accrued and exchange gains in H1 2018 and bring the carrying value back to nil.

Taxation

The tax charge for H1 2018 was $16 million (H1 2017 - tax charge of $15 million) and comprised a current tax charge of $16 million (H1 2017 - $4 million) and a deferred tax charge $nil (H1 2017 - $11 million).

Cash Generation and Net Cash

The following table summarises the main components of the cash flow during the period:

Cash outflow utilised by operations in H1 2018 at $(48) million represented a decline of $(10) million compared H1 2017. The decrease in profitability in the current year was partially offset by working capital movements which at $(31) million were $30 million favourable to the prior year period. The final $7 million tranche of third party funding for the bulk tailings treatment plant was received (H1 2017 - $24 million funding received). Around $4 million was spent on the project in the first half of the year with the remainder to be spent in the second half of the year.

The cash outflow on interest and finance costs was in-line with the prior year period at $6 million. Tax paid in the period of $8 million was $4 million higher than the prior year period as the parent company Lonmin Plc had no carried forward assessed losses remaining to offset tax payable. Due to the financial position of WPL, changes to inter-group charge-out arrangements were made which will mitigate this cash outflow going forwards.

Trading cash outflow for the period amounted to $(62) million (H1 2017 - (48) million).

Capital expenditure at $33 million was $12 million lower than the prior year period due to the implementation of cash conservation measures. 

The acquisition of the remaining 50% of Pandora was completed in the period. The upfront payment was $4 million with the balance payable from distributable free cash flows from the Pandora operations over a period not exceeding six years. The completion of the Pandora transaction unlocks significant synergies including allowing Lonmin to extend mining at Saffy shaft without having to spend R2.6 billion of capital expenditure, of which R1.6 billion would have been required over the next four years.

Management focus in the period was directed on safety, costs and production to protect liquidity with gross cash at 31 March 2018 of $167 million.

Barrie van der Merwe

Chief Financial Officer

Operating Statistics Operating Statistics