Last checked at 10 Feb 2010 07:00
Regulatory Announcement Company Pan African Resources plc TIDM PAF Headline Interim Results Released 10 February 2010 Pan African Resources PLC (`Pan African' or the `Company' or the `Group')
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under Companies Act 1985 with
registered number 3937466 on 25 February 2000) Share code on AIM: PAF Share code on JSE: PAN ISIN: GB0004300496 Interim Results
For the 6 months ended 31 December 2009 and renewal of cautionary announcement
Pan African Resources PLC (AIM: PAF, JSE: PAN) is pleased to report its interim results for the 6 months ended 31 December 2009.
Highlights
Corporate
* Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (`EBITDA') of £8.6 million (2008: £8.6 million). * Revenue increased by 16.4% to £29 million (2008: £24.9 million). * Unhedged and debt-free. * Barberton Mines Pty (Ltd) (`Barberton Mines') now a wholly-owned subsidiary (previously 74% held). * Cyril Ramaphosa joined the board as Non-Executive Chairman * Pan African moved from Altx to the main board of the JSE Limited on 1 December 2009.
Mining Operations
* The Fairview section of Barberton Mines, achieved 2 million fatality free shifts over a 6 year period. * * Major progress made on minimising criminal artisanal mining activity (`criminal mining'). * 4.7% decrease in underground production to 45,385oz (2008: 47,634oz), principally due to non-recurring work stoppage to address criminal mining. * Headgrade remains sustainable at above 10g/t (2008: 11.40g/t). * Total cash cost of ZAR164,697/kg (2008: ZAR134,581/kg).
Near Term Production
* Resource base at Phoenix Platinum Mining (Pty) Ltd (`Phoenix Platinum')
increased by 12.5% to 405,000oz (2008: 360,000oz).
* Post period under reviewNature of Business
Pan African is a gold mining group that produces approximately 100,000oz per year. Its focus is on developing low cost, high margin production or near term production projects. The Group is largely debt free, is unhedged and is able to fund all of its current on-mine capital expenditure from internal cash flows.
Financial Performance
For the period under review, gross revenue amounted to £29 million (2008: £24.9 million), with the total cost of production being £18.9 million (2008: £14.1 million). Tax expense was £2.7 million (2008: £3.7 million), other expenses were £1.1 million (2008: £0.89 million), and the final Central African Republic exploration impairment charge was £0.349 million (2008: £1.3 million Ghana exploration impairment charge).
EBITDA for the period under review was £8.6 million (2008: £8.6 million). Attributable profit increased to £4.5 million (2008: £2.6 million). Total cost of production increased by 10.6% in South African Rand ("ZAR") terms. Higher costs expressed in ZAR terms were linked to increased security costs (up 68%), electricity (up 35%), and salaries and wages (up 19%). The ZAR cost per kilogram increase of 22% can be directly attributed to the additional costs highlighted above as well as a 10% reduction in gold ounces sold as a result of the mine stoppage detailed in the "Criminal Mining" section below. On a normalised basis, without the additional security costs, there would have been an increase of 13% in the ZAR cost per kilogram.
The increase in mining profit is a result of the Company's increased holding in Barberton Mines. The Company's holding was increased from 74% to 100% with effect from 21 August 2009, as a result of Shanduka Gold (Pty) Ltd (`Shanduka') exchanging its 26% stake in Barberton Mines for a 21% stake in Pan African (detailed in the "Share Issue" section below). Although the average US$ spot gold price in the period under review increased by 25% to US$1032 (2008: US$824), the US$:ZAR exchange rate strengthened by 14% to ZAR7.64 (2008: ZAR8.88), and the effective ZAR gold price achieved was only 8% higher at ZAR253,510/kg (2008: ZAR235,338/kg). The profit margin in ZAR terms decreased by 11.8% to ZAR88,813/kg (2008: ZAR100,757/kg). Income tax decreased to £2.7 million (2008: £3.7 million) as a result of a decrease in profit before tax. Profit before tax in ZAR terms was 23% lower at ZAR92 million (2008: ZAR119.7 million).
Basic headline earnings per share (`HEPS') increased by 2.4% to 0.3638 pence (2008: 0.3553 pence). HEPS increased marginally from the comparable period as result of a 23% increase in total attributable headline earnings, whilst the weighted average number of shares increased by only 20%. Total headline earnings in Pounds sterling (`GBP') increased principally due to the weaker GBP:ZAR exchange rate. In ZAR terms, HEPS decreased by 16% to 4.54 cents (2008: 5.37 cents). The total attributable headline earnings in ZAR increased in the current year as a result of consolidating 100% of the earnings from 21 August 2009, but the percentage increase in earnings was lower than the increase in weighted average numbers of shares in issue, due to the lower gold ounces sold in the current period.
Earnings per share (`EPS') increased in the current year both in ZAR and GBP due to a reduced impairment charge for the period of £0.349 million (2008: £1.3 million) and also because of the Group consolidating 100% of the profits of Barberton Mines from 21 August 2009.
6 months ended 6 months ended 31 Dec 2008 31 Dec 2009 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenue (GBP) 29,044,934 24,940,383 EBITDA (GBP) 8,597,517 8,552,011 Attributable profit (GBP) 4,467,939 2,569,804 EPS (pence) 0.34 0.23 HEPS (pence) 0.36 0.36 Weighted average number 1,324,071,776 1,100,517,684of shares in issue Review of Barberton MinesSafety and Training
The safety performance at Barberton Mines reflected a marked improvement during the period under review. Lost time injuries decreased to 10 (2008: 25) and reportable injuries to 3 (2008: 5). The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate improved to 3.6 (2008: 6.4) and the Serious Injury Frequency Rate improved to 1.1 (2008: 1.7). The number of shifts lost decreased to 75 (2008: 106), however the lost day severity rate increased marginally to 7.5 (2008: 6.2).
The Company is pleased to report that Barberton Mines as a whole achieved 1.2 million fatality free shifts at the end of December 2009, and more recently the Fairview section has achieved 2 million fatality free shifts post the period under review on 5 February 2010, accomplished over a six year period.
Operating Performance
A total of 45,971oz (2008: 51,186oz) of gold was sold from Barberton Mines (which comprises the Fairview, Sheba and New Consort sections), a decrease of 10% from the previous year. Total underground production decreased by 4.7% to 45,385oz (2008: 47,634oz). Tons milled decreased by 4.6% to 152,584 (2008: 159,919). Despite a decrease in the headgrade of 11% to 10.11g/t (2008: 11.4g/ t), the head grade achieved was above 10g/t as forecasted and is sustainable at these levels. The reductions in volumes milled and gold produced are primarily attributed to certain sections of the mine being stopped for a period of two weeks in December 2009 to combat criminal mining - please refer to the "Criminal Mining" section for a more detailed explanation.
6 6 6 months 6 months 6 months months ended ended months ended ended ended 31 Dec 07 31 Dec 31 Dec 31 Dec 06 31 Dec 09 08 05 Tons Milled t 152,584 159,919 161,455 166,377 157,452 Headgrade g/t 10.11 11.40 9.05 9.24 11.44 Overall % 91 91 92 92 92Recovery Production Underground oz 45,385 47,634 43,145 45,332 53,369 Calcine oz - 3,545 3,601 - - Dump Sold - Mining oz 45,971 51,186 47,486 45,749 52,983Sources Average Price: USD/oz 1,032 824 721 567 464Spot Price Achieved Average Price: USD/oz - - 460 406 430Hedge Achieved Average Price: ZAR/KG 253,510 235,338 165,782 144,564 96,767Spot Achieved Total Cash USD/oz 670 451 521 516 415cost Total Cash ZAR/KG 164,697 134,581 114,640 104,471 82,671cost EBITDA GBP '000 8,598 8,552 4,001 3,049 2,153 Depreciation GBP '000 1,375 1,066 806 1,077 1,042 Capital GBP '000 2,199 2,282 1,532 867 569Expenditure Exchange rate ZAR/GBP 12.48 15.13 14.05 13.68 11.48- average Exchange rate ZAR/GBP 11.94 13.78 13.77 13.78 11.06- closing Exchange rate ZAR/US$ 7.64 8.88 6.94 7.22 6.53- average Exchange rate ZAR/US$ 7.39 9.55 6.86 6.99 6.31- closing
* 74% of the 2007 and 2008 results are attributable to the equity shareholders of Pan African, 2005 - 2006 results attributable to Metorex Limited ("Metorex"). Effective 21 August 2009, 100% of Barberton Mines' earnings attributable to Pan African.
** Total cash cost excludes depreciation and capital expenditure.
Mineral Resource Management
A full time Mineral Resource Manager has been appointed to Barberton Mines. The Mineral Resource Management department's main objective will be to ensure that a headgrade of above 10g/t is achieved and sustained, therefore improving mining flexibility and extending the Life of Mine.
Capital and Reserve Projects
At Barberton Mines there are six mining projects and three exploration development projects aimed at the replacement of reserves. The mine commenced with two new reserve replacement projects this year and continued with seven projects from the previous year. The two new projects are the Consort 37 inter-level exploration drive and the Fairview 54 level re-equipping and development. The 60/62 level development project at Fairview is estimated to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
The development advances achieved for the 6 months to 31 December 2009 were a total of 1,175m (2008: 1,095m). The potential resource target of the reserve replacement projects increased to a total of approximately 744,000 ounces.
Criminal Mining
Criminal mining activity increased significantly both in frequency and in severity during the first months of the period under review. Unacceptable actions by the criminal miners jeopardised the safety of employees and operations of Barberton Mines. Management therefore made a deliberate decision to temporarily cease production in certain sections of the mine over a two-week period in order to directly address the issue. Starting at the beginning of December the mine initiated a systematic underground sweep (`Operation Clean Sweep') of workings, utilising specialised contract security forces, in co-operation with local and regional law enforcement. In conjunction with the underground initiative, the contract security presence on surface was also increased to restrict access to mine property.
As a result of the actions described above security expenditure for the period under review was increased by 68% to ZAR9.2 million (2008: ZAR 5.5 million). Management estimates financial losses due to gold theft to be significantly higher than the costs of increased security efforts, and the recent security initiatives are expected to improve gold output and profits from the mine.
Operation Clean Sweep has been a resounding success and criminal mining activity on the mine has been significantly reduced. A total of 326 criminal miners were arrested during December as a result of Operation Clean Sweep. A total of 509 criminal miners were arrested for the period under review (2008: 370). The Company has appointed an executive solely dedicated to security at Barberton Mines, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The current approach to security at Barberton Mines will be maintained and further improved to ensure criminal activity is kept to a minimum.
Review of the Phoenix Platinum Near Term Production Project
Results of metallurgical test work performed to date by Mintek to evaluate the process indicate recoveries of up to 50% and concentrate grades of approximately 150g/t. The next phase of metallurgical test work is planned to optimise the metallurgical process in order to maximise recoveries and improve concentrate grades.
Update on engineering and design work
Total capital expenditure for the planned 20,000 tons per month Chrome Tailings Retreatment Plant ("CTRP") is estimated to be ZAR100 million.
The Company is in the process of negotiating a preferred CTRP location, if completed by Q3 2010 this will allow production to commence in the second half of 2011. Furthermore, the Company is evaluating other opportunities in an effort to fast-track production output and grow the project resource base further.
Review of the Manica Gold Growth Project
The Company is continuing an investigation into the feasibility of a heap leach operation to exploit the oxide resource at Manica. The focus during the first half of 2010 is to complete the necessary test work at SGS in South Africa to ascertain the viability of a heap leach operation at Manica. Subsequent to obtaining the results from such test work, the feasibility of a small scale heap-leach gold mine will be assessed.
Capital Expenditure and Commitments
Capital expenditure at Barberton Mines totalled £2.199 million of which development capital was £1.266 million and maintenance capital was £0.933 million. Capital expenditure on growth projects totalled £0.220 million. There were no material contracted capital commitments at the end of the period. Operating lease commitments, which fall due within the next year, amounted to £ 0.156 million.
Shares Issued
On 19 June 2009 the Company announced that it had concluded an agreement with Shanduka and Shanduka's holding company, Shanduka Resources (Proprietary) Limited, whereby Pan African would acquire Shanduka's 26% shareholding in Barberton Mines, in exchange for the issue of new ordinary shares in Pan African to Shanduka. On 21 August 2009 Pan African announced that the transaction had become unconditional and that the shares had been issued and allotted to Shanduka. Barberton Mines became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pan African from this date. The new shares issued to Shanduka (295,751,549 ordinary shares) represent 21% of the enlarged issued share capital of Pan African following implementation of this transaction. Shanduka acquired a further 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of Pan African via the Metorex book build, thereby increasing its shareholding to 26%.
For accounting purposes the Group consolidated 100% of profits from Barberton Mines from 21 August 2009. The accounting treatment for the Shanduka and Pan African transaction was in terms of IAS 27 Changes in the ownership interests. Changes in a parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions (i.e. transactions with owners in their capacity as owners).
Therefore the additional investment of £14,760,214 through the Pan African share issue to Shanduka and non-controlling interest of £4,059,121 as at 21 August 2009 were eliminated on consolidation, and the Group's merger reserve increased by £10,701,093.
Directorship Change
During the period under review, Mr Maritz Smith resigned as Financial Director with effect from 21 August 2009 and was replaced by Mr Cobus Loots with effect from 17 September 2009.
Mr Cyril Ramaphosa was appointed as the Company's Non-Executive Chairman and Mr Rowan Smith was appointed as a Non-Executive Director, both with effect from 17 September 2009.
Dividends
The Company has adopted a policy whereby dividends are considered, and where deemed appropriate by the Board, declared, on an annual basis. Pan African will consider a final dividend subsequent to the finalisation of financial year-end results. The consideration of any dividend will take account of cashflow requirements and growth plans, whilst recognising that, where possible, a consistent dividend policy increases shareholder value.
Accounting Policies
The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the half year ended 31 December 2009. The financial information has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of the International Financial Reporting Standards (`IFRS') and the JSE Limited listing requirements.
The unaudited interim results have been prepared and presented in accordance with, and containing the information required by IFRS on Interim Financial Reporting, IAS 34. The accounting policies are consistent with the prior year's annual financial statements and deal with new disclosure requirements by IFRS, specifically IAS 1 (Presentation of Financial Statements) and IFRS 8 (Operating Segments).
Operating Segments
IFRS 8 requires an entity to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable segments. Reportable segments are operating segments or aggregations of operating segments. The Group considers gold mining to be its material operating segment as this is the main business activity which the Group earns revenues and incurs expenses. The operating segments allocation of assets and liabilities have been summarised as follows:
* Gold mining total assets of £37,757,322 (2008: £34,925,555) and total liabilities £15,783,514 (2008: £15,215,748). * Corporate and Growth Projects total assets £41,451,632 (2008: £36,612,907) and total liabilities £237,019 (2008: £351,972).
Future Prospects
* Focus on productivity and efficiency improvements to counter cost pressures and increase margins. * Encouraging production forecast for the next 6 months. * Significant progress in eliminating criminal mining activities will yield future benefit to all stakeholders. * Phoenix project value expected to further increase. * Strong balance sheet to take advantage of opportunities.
Renewal of cautionary Announcement
Further to the cautionary announcement first released on 26 November 2009 and renewed on 7 January 2010 and in terms of the Listings Requirements of the JSE, shareholders are advised that the discussions in respect of a possible transaction are still in progress. If successfully concluded, the outcome of the discussions may have a material effect on the price of the Company's securities. Accordingly, shareholders are advised to continue exercising caution when dealing in the Company's securities until a full announcement in respect of the possible transaction is made.
By order of the Board,
J P Nelson C Loots
Chief Executive Officer Financial Director
10 February 2010
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
31 Dec 09 31 Dec 08 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) £ £ Revenue Gold sales 29,044,934 24,940,383 Realisation costs (82,410) (63,532) On - mine revenue 28,962,524 24,876,851 Cost of production (18,898,789) (14,099,512) Depreciation (1,374,753) (1,065,720) Mining Profit 8,688,982 9,711,619 Other expenses (1,117,303) (885,413) Operating income before finance 7,571,679 8,826,206costs Finance income 152,607 434,700 Finance costs (1,588) (6,007) Impairment (348,915) (1,339,915) Profit before taxation 7,373,783 7,914,984 Taxation (2,683,201) (3,705,065) Profit after taxation 4,690,582 4,209,919 Other comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation 2,216,274 2,164,635differences Total comprehensive income for 6,906,856 6,374,554the 6 months Profit attributable to: Owners of the parent 4,467,939 2,569,804 Non-controlling interest 222,643 1,640,115 4,690,582 4,209,919 Total comprehensive income attributable to: Owners of the parent 6,836,312 4,734,439 Non-controlling interest 70,544 1,640,115 6,906,856 6,374,554 Earnings Per Share Earnings per share (pence) 0.34 0.23 Diluted earnings per share 0.34 0.23(pence) Weighted average number of 1,324,071,776 1,100,517,684shares in issue Diluted number of shares in 1,329,710,617 1,111,517,684issue Headline earnings per share is calculated : Earnings as reported : 4,467,939 2,569,804 Adjustments : Impairment costs 348,915 1,339,915 Headline earnings 4,816,854 3,909,719 Headline earnings per share 0.36 0.36(pence) Diluted headline earnings per 0.36 0.35share (pence)
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
31 Dec 2009 30 June 2009 (Unaudited) (Audited) £ £ ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment and Mineral 34,280,999 31,801,235Rights Rehabilitation trust fund 2,499,886 2,357,266 Intangible assets 13,191,556 12,038,616 Goodwill 21,000,714 21,000,714 70,973,155 67,197,831 Current assets Inventories 1,525,057 358,363 Trade and other receivables 2,475,265 2,201,213 Cash and cash equivalents 235,477 2,389,301 8,235,799 4,948,877 TOTAL ASSETS 79,208,954 72,146,708 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Capital and reserves Share capital 14,083,406 11,125,891 Share Premium 49,696,830 37,899,997 Translation Reserve 4,180,278 1,964,004 Share Option Reserve 628,818 549,690 Retained income 16,005,490 11,537,551 Merger Reserve (21,406,401) (10,705,308) Equity attributable to owners of the parent 63,188,421 52,371,825 Non controlling interest - 3,988,577 Total equity 63,188,421 56,360,402 Non - Current liabilities Long term Provisions 3,103,001 2,933,105 Deferred Taxation 7,461,262 6,752,432 10,564,263 9,685,537 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 3,805,235 3,719,787 Short term liabilities - Interest bearing - 20,669 Short term Provisions 1,420,208 1,151,895 Payable to another Group Company - 954 759 Current Tax Liabilities 230,827 253,659 5,456,270 6,100,769 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 79,208,954 72,146,708
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
6 months ended 6 months ended 31 Dec 09 31 Dec 08 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) £ £ Cash generated by operations 7,776,767 10,401,503 Non controlling interest distributions - (890,831) Taxation Paid (2,537,000) (4,240,562) Finance income net 151,019 428,693 Cash inflow from operating activities 5,390,786 5,698,803 Cash outflow from investing activities (2,429,578) (4,056,420) Cash outflow from finance activities (954,759) (44,374) Net increase in cash equivalents 2,006,449 1,598,009 Cash at the beginning of period 2,389,301 5,419,489 Effect of Foreign Currency rate changes (160,273) 700,227 Cash at end of period 4,235,477 7,717,725
Statement in changes of equity
6 months ended 6 months ended 31 Dec 2009 31 Dec 2008 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) £ £ Shareholders' equity at start of period 56,360,402 50,368,771 Share Issue 14,754,348 39,749 Share Option Reserve 79,128 78,500 Other Comprehensive Income 2,216,274 2,164,635 Profit for the period 4,467,939 2,569,804 Merger Reserve (10,701,093) - Non-controlling interest (3,988,577) 749,284 Total Equity 63,188,421 55,970,743 ENDS
For further information on Pan African Resources PLC, please visit the website at www.panafricanresources.com
Enquiries: Pan African Resources Jan Nelson, Chief Executive Officer +27 (0) 11 243 2900 Nicole Spruijt, Public Relations +27 (0) 11 243 2900 RBC Capital Markets Martin Eales +44 (0) 20 7029 7881 Macquarie First South (Pty) Ltd Melanie de Nysschen / Thembeka Mgoduso +27 (0) 11 583 2000 St James's Corporate Services Limited Phil Dexter
+44 (0) 20 7499 3916
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