The next focusIR Investor Webinar takes places on 14th May with guest speakers from Blue Whale Growth Fund, Taseko Mines, Kavango Resources and CQS Natural Resources fund. Please register here.

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksSylvania Platinum Regulatory News (SLP)

Share Price Information for Sylvania Platinum (SLP)

London Stock Exchange
Share Price is delayed by 15 minutes
Get Live Data
Share Price: 69.00
Bid: 68.00
Ask: 70.00
Change: 0.00 (0.00%)
Spread: 2.00 (2.941%)
Open: 0.00
High: 0.00
Low: 0.00
Prev. Close: 69.00
SLP Live PriceLast checked at -

Watchlists are a member only feature

Login to your account

Alerts are a premium feature

Login to your account

Fourth Quarter Report to 30 June 2017

31 Jul 2017 07:00

RNS Number : 5058M
Sylvania Platinum Limited
31 July 2017
 

 

Sylvania Platinum Limited

("Sylvania", "the Company" or "the Group")

 AIM (SLP)

 

Fourth Quarter Report to 30 June 2017

 

"Another excellent quarter's production of 17,954 ounces bringing total annual production to 70,869 ounces - a new Company record."

 

28 July 2017

 

Sylvania Platinum Limited, the low cost Platinum Group Metal ("PGM") processor and developer, today announces its results for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 ("Q4" or the "quarter") from its PGM production and development operations in the Bushveld region of South Africa.

 

SNAPSHOT

 

· Consistently strong production throughout the year sees another strong quarter with 17,954 ounces produced by the Sylvania Dump Operations ("SDO");

· SDO costs decreased 11% from R6,236/oz to R5,572/oz quarter-on-quarter (10% reduction in costs from $471/oz to $422/oz)

· Revenue increased 4% in US dollar terms to $13.2 million (Q3: $12.7 million) and increased 3% in Rand terms to R174.4 million (Q3: R168.8 million);

· Group EBITDA improved 22% from $4.1 million to $5.0 million quarter-on-quarter; and

· Group cash costs down 11% quarter-on-quarter to $446/oz (Q3: $501/oz).

 

SYLVANIA OVERVIEW

 

The SDO has consistently achieved strong production for the year, with the fourth quarter producing 17,954 ounces which is a 5% increase on the previous quarter's production of 17,096 ounces. This also supersedes Q1 production as the second highest quarterly production achieved by the Company. Consequently, the SDO has exceeded the upper end of the revised guidance range of 65,000 ounces by achieving 70,869 ounces for the financial year - a new annual record for the Company.

 

The cash costs for the SDO in Dollar and Rand terms have decreased 10% and 11% respectively from $471/oz (R6,236/oz) in Q3 to $422/oz (R5,572/oz), due to a combination of higher PGM ounce production and disciplined cost control during the period. The exchange rate of the Rand against the US Dollar remained stable over the period and Revenue increased marginally by 4% in US dollar terms to $13.2 million (Q3: $12.7 million) as well as 3% in Rand terms to R174.4 million (Q3: R168.8 million). SDO capital expenditure decreased 5% in line with the project schedule for Project Echo which is currently in progress to ensure a sustainable PGM production profile going forward.

 

Cash generated from operations before working capital movements was $2 million, despite an income tax payment of $3.2 million at the end of the quarter. However, the Group cash balance at 30 June 2017 was $15.3 million (including guarantees), a $1.3 million decrease on the previous quarter's $16.6 million. This decrease in cash is due to a net decrease in working capital amounting to $1.4 million, a further $1.4 million spent on stay-in-business capital for the SDO plants, $0.6 million expenditure on exploration assets, $0.05 million paid for rehabilitation insurance guarantee and $0.1 million spent on an investment in a Joint Venture R&D project. The exchange rate fluctuations on cash held at the quarter end was $0.3 million. The cash balance allows the Company to not only fund Project Echo, its internal growth project but also the acquisition of Phoenix Platinum which was announced today, should that acquisition proceed successfully.

 

Commenting on the quarter, Sylvania's CEO Terry McConnachie said:

 

"I am exceptionally proud of our management and production teams in their achievement of yet another strong quarter for the Company and exceeding guidance for the year. This is testament to the strong competency and skills of our employees and I am proud to be a part of this remarkable achievement and noteworthy period for the Company.

 

Project Echo is progressing well and it is pleasing to note that Group cash costs have decreased 11% for the quarter. From a production perspective I am confident we will see the fruits of our labour as the production profile is supplemented and offsets potential losses as a result of the planned closure of the Steelpoort plant. The acquisition of Phoenix will further strengthen Sylvania's position in tailings retreatment.

 

In a market where the gross basket price has not moved significantly for some time, our measures of prudent cost controls and focus on ounce production is paying off and is further evidenced by these strong results.

 

The Company plans to release its annual results to the market on or before 30 August 2017. A notification will also be sent to those registered for notifications through the Company website: www.sylvaniaplatinum.com."

 

GROUP PERFORMANCE

Unaudited - Group

Unit

June 2017

Quarter

 

March 2017

Quarter

 

% Change

Financials

Revenue

$'000

13,202

12,754

4%

Capital Expenditure1

$'000

1,780

1,599

11%

Ave R/$ rate

R/$

13.21

13.23

0%

EBITDA2

$'000

5,072

4,141

22%

Production

PGM Plant Feed

T

305,757

288,359

6%

Total 3E and Au

Oz

17,954

17,096

5%

Group Cash Cost3

Per 3E & Au oz

$/oz

446

501

-11%

1 Capital expenditure on SDO and exploration and evaluation assets.

2 EBITDA is Earnings before interest, foreign exchange gains and losses, taxation, depreciation and amortisation.

3 Group cash costs include plant operating costs and group general and administration costs, but are exclusive of depreciation, amortisation, reclamation capital, project development and administration costs and share-based payments.

 

A. SYLVANIA DUMP OPERATIONS

 

Health, safety and environment

There were no significant health or environmental incidents during the quarter, and Tweefontein and Doornbosch operations both reached five years Lost Time Injury (LTI) free during the period. Unfortunately Steelpoort and Mooinooi operations had one LTI each, after being LTI-free for nine and a half years and 11 months respectively. Lannex and Millsell both remain more than two years LTI-free.

 

Despite the incidents at Steelpoort and Mooinooi, the dump operations remain focused on safety and the respective management teams continue to work diligently towards ensuring that the Company remains compliant in terms of health, safety and environmental systems and legislation.

 

Operations

The Company is pleased to present the quarter's SDO production of 17,954 PGM ounces, a 5% increase on the previous quarter's performance of 17,096 ounces and surpasses Q1 production as the second highest quarterly production for the Company.

 

While the PGM feed grades were approximately 2% lower for the quarter, based on the blend of material treated, the PGM feed tons and recovery efficiencies were 6% and 5% higher respectively than the previous quarter and contributed significantly towards the higher PGM ounce production. Overall the SDO continued to perform very well and delivered results better than forecast which contributed towards the new annual production record of 70,869 ounces for FY2017.

 

The cash costs for the SDO in Dollar and Rand terms have decreased 10% and 11% respectively from $471/oz (R6,236/oz) in Q3 to $422/oz (R5,572/oz), due to a combination of higher PGM ounce production and disciplined cost control during the period.

 

Operational and Financial Summary

Unaudited - SDO

Unit

 

June 2017

Quarter

March 2017

Quarter

+- %

Quarter on Quarter

12 months to June 2017

Revenue

Revenue

$'000

 13,202

 12,754

4%

 50,497

Revenue

R'000

 174,380

 168,776

3%

 687,325

Gross Basket Price1

$/oz

 963

 951

1%

 897

Gross Cash Margin - SDO

%

43%

37%

16%

40%

Capital Expenditure

$'000

 1,474

 1,545

-5%

 3,794

Capital Expenditure

R'000

 19,474

 20,447

-5%

 51,648

Ave R/US$ rate2

R/$

 13.21

 13.23

0%

 13.61

EBITDA

$'000

 5,535

 4,628

20%

 20,098

EBITDA

R'000

 73,103

 61,249

19%

 273,562

SDO Cash Cost3

Per PGM Feed ton

$/t

 25

 28

-11%

 26

Per PGM Feed ton

R/t

 327

 370

-12%

 351

Per 3E & Au oz

$/oz

 422

 471

-10%

 425

Per 3E & Au oz

R/oz

 5,572

 6,236

-11%

 5,785

Production

Plant Feed

T

 544,281

 529,576

3%

 2,137,007

Feed Head Grade

g/t

 2.67

 2.83

-6%

 2.65

PGM Plant Feed Tons

T

 305,757

 288,359

6%

 1,168,912

PGM Plant Grade

g/t

 4.02

 4.12

-2%

 4.06

PGM Plant Recovery

%

47.2%

43.7%

8%

46.4%

Total 3E and Au

Oz

 17,954

 17,096

5%

 70,869

 

1 The gross basket price reported is the total estimated price for deliveries made in the quarter and does not include any penalties or smelting costs. The actual net basket price received is only determined in the invoicing month which is three months after the delivery month, prior quarter adjusted for actual prices received if necessary.

2 The functional currency for SDO is SA Rand and the exchange rate shown is the average over the period indicated.

3 Cash costs include plant operating costs such as mining, processing, administration, royalties and production taxes, but are exclusive of depreciation, amortisation, reclamation, capital, project development and exploration costs.

 

 

 

Project Echo

Project Echo progresses well with both the Millsell and Doornbosch secondary milling and flotation technology ("MF2") modules under construction as the first phase of the program and will be commissioned during the next 6 months to fill the ounce gap after the planned closure of the Steelpoort operation that reached its end of life during June 2017.

 

This MF2 roll-out will lead to improved PGM recovery efficiencies, lower PGM production unit costs, increased cash generation, and enable the SDO to extend its operating life and to sustain its production profile above 60,000 ounces going forward.

 

B. EXPLORATION AND OPENCAST MINING PROJECTS

 

Volspruit Platinum Exploration

The Company is pleased to announce that it received notification from the DMR that the Mining Right ("MR") to mine PGM's, gold, copper, nickel and chrome was granted on 28 June 2017. Sylvania will now take steps to execute and register the right at the Mining Titles Office.

 

Mining activities for the project cannot commence until the Company receives a decision by the Member of the Executive Council for Economic Development, Environment on the Company's appeal against the initial refusal of the Environmental Authorisation ("EA"). Once this is received the next step will be the application for a Water Use License ("WUL").

 

Grasvally Chrome Exploration

The Company received communication from the DMR that the appeal against the granting of the EA, lodged by interested and affected parties ("I&AP's") was set aside on 20 June 2017. Accordingly the EA for processing the waste rock dumps stands but activities cannot yet commence until such time as the approval of the WUL from the Department of Water and Sanitation ("DWS") is received and a MR is granted.

 

The bulk sampling of a planned 15,000 tons of Run of Mine ("ROM") is well underway. A total of five bulk sample open-pits has been blasted with total excavated ROM stockpiles currently measuring 6,167 tons. The extraction of the remaining tonnage has been halted pending the beneficiation testing of the initial 6,167 tons. Initial tests completed at a beneficiation plant has indicated good results with a combined concentrate of >50% Cr2O3 and a Cr:Fe ratio above 2.2:1. Although the plant was not tailored to process the ore typical of the Grasvally deposit, these initial results look positive. A sample of more than 6,000 tons will be beneficiated in a more suitable plant at Steelpoort to better liberate the chrome from the ore. Following the beneficiation testing, a further 9,000 tons will be extracted from the already blasted and stripped open-pits to complete phase 1 of the Grasvally Bulk Sample.

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

 

 

CORPORATE INFORMATION

 

Registered and postal address:

Sylvania Platinum Limited

Clarendon House

2 Church Street

Hamilton HM 11

Bermuda

SA Operations postal address:

PO Box 976

Florida Hills, 1716

South Africa

Sylvania Website: www.sylvaniaplatinum.com

 

CONTACT DETAILS

 

For further information, please contact:

Terence McConnachie (Chief Executive Officer)

+44 777 533 7175

Nominated Advisor and Broker

Liberum Capital Limited

+44 (0) 20 3100 2000

Richard Crawley / Neil Elliot

Communications

Alma PR Limited

+44 (0) 77 8090 1979

Josh Royston / Helena Bogle / Hilary Buchanan

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
MSCLLFLRDDIIVID
Date   Source Headline
30th Apr 20247:00 amRNSThird Quarter Report to 31 March 2024
8th Apr 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
2nd Apr 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
28th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
27th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback
26th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback
25th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback
22nd Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback
21st Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback
20th Mar 20249:56 amRNSShare Buyback
19th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
18th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
15th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
14th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
11th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
8th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
7th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
6th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
5th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
4th Mar 20247:00 amRNSShare Buyback
23rd Feb 202412:39 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
22nd Feb 20247:00 amRNSUpdated Corporate Presentation Announcement
22nd Feb 20247:00 amRNSInterim Financial Results Announcement
19th Feb 20247:01 amRNSResults of Updated Mineral Resource Estimates
16th Feb 20247:00 amRNSResults of Updated Mineral Resource Estimates
31st Jan 20247:00 amRNSSecond Quarter Report to 31 December 2023
2nd Jan 20247:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
27th Nov 20237:00 amRNSResult of AGM
17th Nov 20237:00 amRNSExercise of vested bonus shares
13th Nov 20237:00 amRNSNotice of Transaction by PDMR
9th Nov 20237:00 amRNSAppointment of New Chair
1st Nov 20234:09 pmRNSESG: Supporting Our Strategy Announcement
27th Oct 20237:00 amRNSNotice of AGM
25th Oct 20237:00 amRNSFirst Quarter Report to 30 September 2023
12th Sep 20237:00 amRNSNotice of Transaction by PDMR
7th Sep 20237:07 amRNSPublication of Corporate Investor Presentation
7th Sep 20237:04 amRNSAnnual Financial Report
27th Jul 20234:11 pmRNSFourth Quarter Report to 30 June 2023
27th Jul 20237:00 amRNSFourth Quarter Report to 30 June 2023
14th Jul 202312:35 pmRNSCancellation of Ordinary Shares
3rd Jul 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
30th Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
29th Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
28th Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
27th Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
26th Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
23rd Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
22nd Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
21st Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update
20th Jun 20237:00 amRNSShare Buyback Update

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.