Sibanye Gold Limited Operating and financial results
For the six months ended 30 June 2018
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JOHANNESBURG, 23 August 2018: Sibanye Gold Limited trading as Sibanye-Stillwater (Sibanye-Stillwater or the Group) (JSE: SGL and NYSE: SBGL) is pleased to report operating results and reviewed condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2018.
SALIENT FEATURES FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2018 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
- Group adjusted EBITDA2 increased by 26% to R3.9 billion (US$316 million)
- Further operational improvement from the SA PGM operations with 2% lower AISC of R10,106/4Eoz (US$821/4Eoz) and adjusted EBITDA increasing by 115% to R1,001 million
- Another solid performance from the US PGM operations with 2E PGM production of 293,959oz and AISC of US$653/2Eoz and the Blitz project remains ahead of schedule
- On a like-for-like basis (excluding the Cooke operations) production from the SA gold operations declined by 7% to 18,616kg (598,500oz) with AISC 7% higher to R520,488/kg (US$1,315/oz), mainly as a result of lower volumes
- Good operational recovery by Beatrix and Kloof from safety related disruptions, with only Driefontein not fully recovering
- Deleveraging accelerated through US$500 million stream financing in July 2018, resulting in pro forma ND:adjusted EBITDA reducing to approximately 1.85x
- Lonmin acquisition remains on track with approval received from SARB and the competition authority in the UK
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Six months ended |
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Jun 2017 | Dec 2017 | Jun 2018 |
| KEY STATISTICS |
| Jun 2018 | Dec 2017 | Jun 2017 | ||
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| SOUTHERN AFRICA (SA) REGION |
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| PGM operations |
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590,712 | 603,636 | 569,166 | oz | 4E PGM1 production | kg | 17,703 | 18,775 | 18,373 | ||
910 | 975 | 1,051 | US$/4Eoz | Average basket price | R/4Eoz | 12,941 | 13,066 | 12,006 | ||
35.2 | 84.6 | 81.3 | US$m | Adjusted EBITDA2 | Rm | 1,001.1 | 1,128.4 | 465.6 | ||
8 | 16 | 15 | % | Adjusted EBITDA margin2 | % | 15 | 16 | 8 | ||
785 | 778 | 821 | US$/4Eoz | All-in sustaining cost3 | R/4Eoz | 10,106 | 10,432 | 10,364 | ||
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| Gold operations |
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688,604 | 714,260 | 598,517 | oz | Gold produced | kg | 18,616 | 22,216 | 21,418 | ||
1,233 | 1,274 | 1,314 | US$/oz | Average gold price | R/kg | 519,994 | 549,064 | 523,303 | ||
170.8 | 228.0 | 81.8 | US$m | Adjusted EBITDA2 | Rm | 1,007.1 | 3,052.5 | 2,256.0 | ||
20 | 25 | 10 | % | Adjusted EBITDA margin2 | % | 10 | 25 | 20 | ||
1,143 | 1,114 | 1,315 | US$/oz | All-in sustaining cost3 | R/kg | 520,488 | 480,010 | 485,441 | ||
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| UNITED STATES (US) REGION |
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| PGM operations4 |
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93,725 | 282,631 | 293,959 | oz | 2E PGM1 production | kg | 9,143 | 8,791 | 2,915 | ||
126,445 | 390,703 | 360,246 | oz |
| PGM recycling4 |
| kg | 11,205 | 12,152 | 3,933 |
850 | 947 | 996 | US$/2Eoz | Average basket price | R/2Eoz | 12,260 | 12,699 | 11,242 | ||
27.9 | 133.1 | 153.3 | US$m | Adjusted EBITDA2 | Rm | 1,887.4 | 1,774.5 | 368.1 | ||
19 | 25 | 25 | % | Adjusted EBITDA margin2 | % | 25 | 25 | 19 | ||
622 | 660 | 653 | US$/2Eoz | All-in sustaining cost3 | R/2Eoz | 8,045 | 8,899 | 8,134 | ||
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(363.8) | 30.6 | 6.4 | US$m | Basic earnings | Rm | 76.7 | 366.3 | (4,803.7) | ||
(165.2) | 148.4 | 8.2 | US$m | Headline earnings | Rm | 101.0 | 1,957.9 | (2,181.8) | ||
233.9 | 445.7 | 316.4 | US$m | Adjusted EBITDA | Rm | 3,895.6 | 5,955.4 | 3,089.7 | ||
13.21 | 13.41 | 12.31 | R/US$ | Average exchange rate |
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- The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) production in the SA region is principally platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold, referred to as 4E (3PGM+Au), and in the US region is principally platinum and palladium, referred to as 2E (2PGM).
- The Group reports adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) based on the formula included in the facility agreements for compliance with the debt covenant formula. For a reconciliation of profit/loss before royalties and tax to adjusted EBITDA, see note 9.2 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by revenue.
- See “salient features and cost benchmarks for the six months ended 30 June 2018, 31 December 2017 and 30 June 2017” for the definition of All-in sustaining cos
- The US PGM operations’ underground production is converted to metric tonnes and kilograms, and performance is translated to SA rand. In addition to the US PGM operations’ underground production, the operation treats recycling material which is excluded from the 2E PGM production, average basket price and All-in sustaining cost statistics shown. PGM recycling represents palladium, platinum, and rhodium ounces fed to the furnace. As the US operations were only acquired in May 2017, the period ended 30 June 2017 represents only two months.
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Stock data for the six months ended 30 June 2018 | JSE Limited - (SGL) | ||
Number of shares in issue |
| Price range per ordinary share | R7.45 to R16.64 |
- at 30 June 2018 | 2,265,879,337 | Average daily volume | 12,608,577 |
- weighted average | 2,261,752,549 | NYSE - (SBGL); one ADR represents four ordinary shares | |
Free Float | 80% | Price range per ADR | US$2.25 to US$5.27 |
Bloomberg/Reuters | SGLS/SGLJ.J | Average daily volume | 3,921,062 |
STATEMENT BY NEAL FRONEMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF SIBANYE-STILLWATER
The six month period ended 30 June 2018 (H1 2018), was extremely challenging for all Sibanye-Stillwater stakeholders. The spate of fatalities at our SA operations was traumatic and emotionally testing for everyone at Sibanye-Stillwater. Safety is a core component of our CARES (Commitment, Accountability, Respect, Enabling Environment, Safe Production) values and our values guide every decision made, every day. We employ over 66,000 people globally and our success is enabled and driven by our people. Nothing is more important to all of us at Sibanye-Stillwater than safe production. As such, the recent events have caused much concern and we are implementing a comprehensive safety remediation plan in order to re-instil core, safe working practices at our operations.
The significant operational disruptions associated with these tragic events were compounded by the challenging operating environment prevailing during the period. The acute appreciation of the rand in the early part of the year, combined with volatile dollar prices of precious metals which came under pressure later in the period due to global developments, severely squeezed SA margins.
Considering the challenging economic backdrop in H1 2018 and the significant operational disruptions faced at our SA gold operations, the generally solid, overall operating and financial results delivered by the Group are pleasing, confirming the rationale for geographical and commodity diversification, as well the Sibanye-Stillwater’s inherent capacity to successfully accommodate and integrate acquisitions in different geographies and sectors.
Despite the significant disruptions across the SA gold operations, Beatrix and Kloof delivered solid results. Production from both operations was marginally lower than for the comparable period in 2017 and All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC) increases were below inflation (South African CPI). Only the Driefontein operations were unable to recover due to seismic damage to the footwall infrastructure that provides access to the western side of the Masakhane mine. Rehabilitation efforts are underway but access to the area will be restricted until Q1 2019, following which normal levels of production from Driefontein are expected to resume.
The SA and US PGM operations continued to perform well in H1 2018, delivering on their production targets and generating solid financial outcomes in an improved rand basket price environment during the period. The PGM operations in both regions delivered positive cash flow for the period, largely offsetting the decline from the SA gold operations and validating the commodity and geographic diversification undertaken by the Group since 2015.
The graphs below reflect the diversification benefits, with quarterly Group adjusted EBITDA in 2018 higher than for the comparable periods in 2017 and with adjusted EBITDA from the US and SA PGM operations consistently increasing. This offset the decline in adjusted EBITDA from the SA gold operations.
On the back of a steady production outlook and continued appreciation of the rand PGM basket price during the year, the SA PGM operations’ contribution to Group adjusted EBITDA is likely to increase further in H2 2018. At the US PGM operations, the ongoing ramp up to full production at Blitz likely to continue to drive higher revenue and lower unit costs.
Our confidence in the positive fundamental outlook for both palladium and platinum remains intact, despite the recent abrupt decline in spot prices. The decline appears to be driven by short term speculative trading and fueled by the uncertain economic impact of recent global trade hostilities. Further restructuring, which was recently announced by our SA PGM industry peers, is consistent with, and supports our fundamental view of impending deficits.
The outlook for the SA gold operations remains similarly positive, despite production from the western side of Driefontein’s Masakhane shaft being constrained while the rehabilitation project continues. Unit costs during this period will also be temporarily elevated. From Q1 2019 production levels should revert to normal with an expected commensurate decline in unit costs.
Despite the imperative of addressing safety and other operational issues experienced during H1 2018, we have maintained focus on the execution of our strategy. As a critical element in our accelerated deleveraging, US$500 million was raised, post interim end, through a well-structured and competitively priced streaming transaction. At the end of H1 2018, our ND:adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.55x, having declined from 2.56x at the end of the 2017 financial year. The US$500 million upfront cash raised through the stream, enables an approximate 0.7x reduction in Group ND:adjusted EBITDA at the end of H1 2018, thereby reducing the Group leverage ratio to approximately 1.85x on a pro forma basis. This is well below the 3.5x existing covenant and future 2.5x covenant ratios. The stream was generally well received by the market and was followed by a sharp decline in open short trading positions. Other measures to further accelerate deleveraging continue to be assessed.
Positive progress was made in bringing the proposed Lonmin transaction to completion, with approvals obtained from both the South African Reserve Bank and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK. The approval process with the South African competition authorities continues. The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of certain other conditions precedent and is expected to complete during the second half of 2018.
Progress was also made on realising value from non-core assets. The DRDGOLD transaction, in terms of which selected gold surface assets and reserves have been sold to DRDGOLD for a 38% equity stake in the company, was concluded in late July 2018. An earn-in transaction was entered into with Regulus Resources Inc. regarding the Altar copper-gold project in Argentina, which will see Sibanye-Stillwater benefitting from an upfront cash payment of US$15 million, while still retaining significant exposure to potential upside in the Altar project. More detail on these transactions is provided in the corporate activity section below.
We have managed to navigate our way through a very challenging period and I am confident that we have emerged in a stronger position than we were at the beginning. The Group has been refocused and re-energised and I am confident that we are well positioned to deliver significant value to all of our stakeholders in future.
Safety
The Group suffered a number of tragic safety incidents during H1 2018. Q2 2018 was dominated by two safety disasters in which 12 of our colleagues passed away in separate incidents at our Driefontein and Kloof mines. A seismic event on 3 May 2018 at Driefontein’s Masakhane shaft resulted in severe damage to the workings with seven of our employees fatally injured and a further six rescued. On 11 June 2018, five employees passed away when a shift boss led employees into a temporary stopped barricaded area. Severe events of this nature, leading to multiple fatalities at the SA Gold operations, are unparalleled in Sibanye-Stillwater’s history and are a significant departure from our safety performance. Investigation of these events by the DMR continues.
Sibanye-Stillwater management and Board, express their sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the employees who perished during the period. In Q1: Solly Ngobeni, Chicco Dube, Matela Mating, Zanempi Mncwazi, Otshepeng Ramosito and Ntokozo Ntame and in Q2: Mlungisi Vukuthi , Luke Bongumusa Mngomezulu, Baptista Paulino Cuambe, X-Mas Madikizela, Mbulelo Albert Sonqowa, Thabo Abram Ntsekhe, Nkosiphendule Dudlela, Luis Ernesto LumbeGazala, Thokozani Tembe, Lingani Innocent Mngadi, Lakhi Msada, Mthokozisi Msutu, Cedrick Nkuna, Kholekile Phelile and Bhekithemba Thembinkosi Ndabeni.
On a positive note, it is pleasing to report that Beatrix has now been fatality free for more than 15 months and that there were no fatal incidents at the SA PGM operations in Q2.
We continue to take structured and well-defined steps to restore our SA gold operations back to industry leading safety performance. At our 2017 year end results presentation in February this year, I stated that in order to break through the safety plateau we had reached we would need to do things differently by impacting attitude and safe behaviour, and that a Health and Safety compact between all stakeholders was necessary if we were to achieve ZERO HARM in the workplace. ZERO HARM involves rethinking and recommitting to building bridges of collaboration between every stakeholder in the mining sector. It is our singular focus to improve mine safety and enhance the values-based behaviours that will achieve that success.
We convened a multi-stakeholder Safety Summit on 25 May 2018, which was well attended by all the unions and the DMR as well as senior management from Sibanye-Stillwater. All the stakeholders committed to working together to make the workplaces safer, protect jobs and collaborate on all matters pertaining to the health, safety and wellbeing of workers. A safety pledge was jointly developed setting out the scope and spirit in which stakeholders agree to work further towards achieving ZERO HARM underpinning a substantial shared resolve to jointly strive to address the safety challenges. This is a significant achievement and the first time that I am aware that all stakeholders in the industry have committed to a compact of this nature.
The Safety Summits are ongoing and joint implementation task teams will monitor and report on progress made in implementing the priority areas that were jointly identified by stakeholders at the summits.
Considering the substantial behavioural component involved in most fatal incidents, organisational culture and leadership are being reviewed to ensure that safety is inculcated as the foremost consideration in decisions at all levels. The need has been identified to re-instil our CARES values as the context within which we take all our decisions as a cornerstone of culture transformation. An intense programme to promote the responsible application of the provisions of Section 23 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, which affords employees the right to withdraw from unsafe conditions, confirms our top level commitment to safe operations.
In the US region, the operations have been fatality free since October 2011. The total injury frequency rate for H1 2018 increased to 18.2 compared to a rate of 12.7 per million hours in 2017, while the serious injury frequency rate also increased to 8.8 from 5.9 per million hours when comparing H1 2018 to 2017. Although no common theme with the increase in the injury rates could be established, US region management continues to address this disappointing increase as a priority.
A recognised expert in mine safety, Dr Kobus de Jager has been appointed as Group Head of Safe operations. Kobus has over 40 years’ experience in mine safety with academic and practical credentials in leadership and behavioural safety. His primary remit will be to fully review the Company’s safety management systems and processes.
Financial Overview
Group revenue of R23,910 million (US$1,942 million) for H1 2018 was 24% higher than for the comparable period in 2017. The inclusion of a full six months production from the US PGM operations which were acquired in May 2017, and higher PGM basket prices, offset lower revenue from the SA gold operations, which declined by R1,596 million (US$67 million). Revenue for the SA gold operations was impacted by the 13% decline in gold produced, primarily due to the closure of the Cooke operations in H2 2017 and the impact of operational disruptions at the Driefontein operations, compounded by a 1% decline in the average rand gold price received to R519,994/kg (US$1,314/oz).
Group adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended 30 June 2018 of R3,896 million (US$316million) increased by 26% year-on-year, positively impacting Group leverage measures.
Primarily due to the successful refinancing of the bridge loan, net finance expenses for H1 2018 decreased by R52 million (US$3 million) year-on-year to R1,193 million (US97 million).
A R710 million (US$58 million) gain on financial instruments compared to a R261 million (US$20 million) loss for the previous comparable period, was largely due to the decline in the market value of the US$450 million Convertible Bond during H1 2018.
The financial results for H1 2017 were significantly affected by transaction and financing costs associated with the acquisition of Stillwater, and higher restructuring costs and impairments associated with the early, decisive action taken by the Group to address losses at its SA gold operations (resulting in the cessation of mining at the Cooke underground operations and jointly agreed interventions at the Beatrix West mine). These costs were compounded by a R1,077 million (US$82 million) occupational healthcare expense being recognised in anticipation of a possible settlement of class action claims and related costs, resulting in combined non-underlying costs of R4,423 million (US$335 million). Following the resumption of more normal operating activities, the costs (combined) for H1 2018, were R4,066 million (US$330 million) lower at R357 million (US$29 million) than for H1 2017.
The Group recorded a net profit of R78 million (US$7 million) for H1 2018 compared with a loss of R4,803 million (US$364 million) for the comparable period in 2017.
The Normalised loss (attributable earnings adjusted for non-cash gains and losses, non-recurring items and share of result of equity-accounted investees) for the six months ended 30 June 2018 of R521 million (US$42 million), was significantly less than the R1,002 million (US$76 million) normalised loss reported for the first half of the previous year.
OPERATING REVIEW
SA Region
SA PGM operations
The SA PGM operations delivered another robust operating result for the six months ended 30 June 2018, with attributable 4E PGM production of 569,166oz marginally lower than for the comparable period in 2017, but at the upper end of guidance for 2018 on an annualised basis. Despite lower production, AISC declined further to R10,106/4Eoz (US$821/4Eoz), 4% lower in nominal terms than for the comparable period in 2017. This reflects a significant reduction in unit costs in real terms despite these operations absorbing above inflation increases in wages and electricity costs over the course of the year. This excellent result reflects the tangible and sustainable benefits derived from the integration of these operations into the Sibanye-Stillwater group.
Kroondal in particular excelled, with 4E PGM production of 120,461oz, 5% higher than for the comparable period in 2017 and AISC of R10,187/4Eoz, 1% lower.
The average PGM basket price for the six months ended 30 June 2018, was 8% higher in rand terms than the comparable period in 2017 at R12,941/4Eoz and 16% higher in dollar terms at US$1,051/4Eoz. This increase was primarily due to significantly higher palladium and rhodium prices (which comprise approximately 30% and 8% of the 4E PGM basket respectively), which offset the impact of the strong rand in the first quarter.
The financial contribution from by-product metals is significant, with chrome in particular contributing to revenue and reducing AISC. By-product credits reduced AISC from the SA PGM operations by R1,040 million (US$84.4 million) in H1 2018.
Contributions from Mimosa was also consistent and contributed a further R136 million (US$11 million) to Group earnings.
The significant operational turnaround achieved at the SA PGM operations, and the inherent gearing of these operations to higher PGM basket prices is clearly evident in the vastly improved financial results for the period under review. Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled from R466 million (US$35 million) for H1 2017 to R1,001 million (US$81 million) for H1 2018, with the SA PGM operations’ contribution to Group adjusted EBITDA increasing from 15% in H1 2017 to 26% in H1 2018.
This is a notable reversal in the fortunes of these SA PGM operations, which generated significant losses for many years and reinforces the rationale of industry consolidation.
SA gold operations
Gold production from the SA gold operations was 13% lower year-on-year, declining from 21,418kg (688,600oz) for H1 2017 to 18,616kg (598,500oz) for H1 2018, with AISC increasing by 7%, to R520,488/kg (US$1,315/oz). On a like-for-like basis, after normalising for the closure of the Cooke underground operations in H2 2017, which accounted for 1,308kg (42,000oz) of the production difference, production declined by 7% or 1,494kg (48,033oz). This shortfall in production resulted largely from a number of operational disruptions during the period, including the power outage at Beatrix in February 2018 due to severe storm damage to Eskom power lines supplying the mine, the tragic fatal incidents at the West Wits gold operations and seismic damage to infrastructure providing access to sections of the Driefontein Masakhane shaft. Kloof and Beatrix performed well despite these disruptions, with only Driefontein not able to compensate for lost production.
The average rand gold price declined by 1% to R519,994/kg for H1 2018, despite the average dollar gold price increasing by 7% to US$1,314/oz, due to significant appreciation of rand in Q1 2018, yielding an average exchange rate of R12.31/US$ for H1 2018, compared with R13.21/US$ for H1 2017. As a result of these factors, revenue from the SA gold operations declined by R1,596 million (US$67 million) year-on-year to R9,680 million (US$786 million). Cost of sales, before amortisation and depreciation decreased by approximately 6% in absolute terms, to R8,373 million (US$680 million) resulting in a R1,249 million (US$89 million) decline in adjusted EBITDA, to R1,007 million (US$82 million), with the SA Gold operations’ contribution to Group adjusted EBITDA declining to 26% from 73% in H1 2017.
Underground production from Kloof of 6,775kg (217,800oz) was only marginally lower than for the comparable period in 2017, with an 11% decline in underground throughput, largely offset by a higher yield due to an 8% improvement in the Mine Call Factor. Surface throughput increased by 59% to 2,699,000 tonnes due to an increase in toll treatment of Kloof surface sources at the Driefontein and Ezulwini plants, but at a lower yield of 0,42g/t, resulting in gold produced from surface sources increasing by 43% to 1,130kg (36,300oz). AISC increased by 5% to R464,301/kg (US$1,173/oz), which was in line with South African CPI inflation; a commendable result.
Beatrix recovered well from the electrical power outage in February 2018, with underground gold production of 4,275kg (137,500oz) 2% lower than for the comparable period in 2017. A 9% increase in the underground yield largely offset the 10% decline in underground throughput largely due to the power disruption. Gold production from surface sources decreased 27% to 105kg (3,400oz), which was expected due to depletion of surface reserves at Beatrix West. The 2% increase in AISC year-on-year to R511,712/kg (US$1,293/oz) was lower than South African CPI inflation and is a solid performance, considering that above inflation wage and electricity cost increases had to be absorbed during the year.
Driefontein was unable to recover from operational disruptions during H1 2018 due to the cessation of mining activity on the western side of the Masakhane shaft from 3 May 2018, following seismic damage to footwall infrastructure providing access to the area. Underground production from Driefontein of 5,349kg (172,000oz) for H1 2018, was 20% lower than for the comparable period in 2017. Production from surface sources at Driefontein also declined by 52% to 441kg (14,200oz), due to the depletion of available surface reserves, resulting in AISC increasing substantially to R603,092/kg (US$1,524/oz).
Rehabilitation of the affected footwall infrastructure at the Masakhane shaft has commenced, with ramp up to normal levels of production of approximately 250kg (8,038oz) per month, expected to be achieved by April 2019, with costs returning to more normal levels.
US Region
US PGM operations
The US PGM operations delivered another solid operating result, with mined 2E PGM production of 293,959oz at an AISC of US$653/2Eoz, consistent with annual guidance for 2018. This performance compares favourably with 2E PGM production of 282,631oz at an AISC of US$660/2Eoz for the six-months ended 31 December 2017 (H2 2017), and reflects initial production from the Blitz project (Blitz). Blitz remains ahead of schedule, having produced approximately 20,200 2Eoz in H1 2018, with a further increase in production rate expected during H2 2018. The ramp up of Blitz to full 2E PGM production of approximately 300,000oz by the end of 2021, is expected to continue to drive revenues from the US PGM operations higher, and AISC lower by approximately US$100/2Eoz, to around US$550/2Eoz.
The Columbus Metallurgical Complex processed 308,253oz of mined 2E PGM and 360,246oz of recycled 3E PGM, marginally lower than for H1 2017. Our recycling operation averaged 23.8 tonnes of feed material per day for H1 2018 compared to 23.9 tonnes per day during H2 2017. Following a matte run out at the second electric furnace (EF2) in February 2018, a decision was made to not repair the furnace but to progress the planned 2018 rebuild and expansion of EF2 to cater for future Blitz throughput. The restart of EF2 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2018. The runout at EF2 resulted in a short-term lock-up of mined and recycled material in process. This locked up metal in inventory is expected to be released during H2 2018.
Metal prices remained elevated for most of H1 2018 and the average 2E PGM basket price was US$996/2Eoz, 5% higher than the average basket price of US$947/2Eoz for H2 2017. The US PGM operations contributed US$153 million (R1,887 million) to Group adjusted EBITDA at an average adjusted EBITDA margin of 25% in H1 2018, with the recycling operation comprising US$10 million (R123 million) of this total.
Capital expenditure in the US region for H1 2018 was US$99 million, including project capital at Blitz. Capital expenditure for the period includes US$5 million spent on exploration at Altar in Argentina and Marathon in Canada.
CORPORATE ACTION
The DRDGOLD transaction
As announced on 1 August 2018, all conditions precedent to the DRDGOLD transaction were met and the transaction was implemented on 31 July 2018. Sibanye-Stillwater has sold selected gold processing and surface tailings storage facilities (TSFs), which were a component of the West Rand Tailings Retreatment project (WRTRP), to DRDGOLD for the issue of 265,000,000 DRDGOLD new ordinary shares, equivalent to 38.05% of the issued share capital of DRDGOLD, worth R895.7 million*.
In addition, Sibanye-Stillwater may, within 24 months from the date of implementation of the Transaction, exercise an option to increase its shareholding in DRDGOLD up to 50.1%, by subscribing for additional shares which will be issued at a 10% discount to the 30 day volume weighted average traded price of a DRDGOLD share on the day prior to the date of exercise of the option.
The transaction unlocks immediate value from underutilised surface infrastructure and TSFs whilst retaining exposure to the future development of this long life surface reclamation project and future growth in DRDGOLD.
Sibanye-Gold will be consolidating DRDGOLD in its operational and financial results in future, which is expected to have a positive impact on production and financial metrics as well as gold Reserves and Resources. Further information on the transaction is available at https://www.sibanyestillwater.com/investors/transactions/drdgold.
*DRDGOLD’s closing share price of R3.38 as at 31 July 2018 multiplied by the 265 million shares issued to Sibanye-Stillwater.
Altar
On 29 June 2018 Sibanye-Stillwater announced it had entered into an agreement with Regulus Resources Inc. (Regulus) and a newly formed subsidiary of Regulus, Aldebaran Resources Inc. (Aldebaran), to create a strategic partnership to unlock value at the Altar copper-gold project located in Argentina.
The consideration to Sibanye-Stillwater, for Aldebaran’s option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Altar Project, comprises:
- An upfront cash payment of US$15 million to Sibanye-Stillwater upon closing of the Arrangement
- 9% of the shares of Aldebaran, subject to proration if the initial financing exceeds US$30 million (up to a maximum of US$40 million)
- A commitment from Aldebaran to carry the next US$30 million of spend at the Altar Project over a maximum of five years, as an initial earn-in of a 60% interest in the Altar Project (the Initial Earn-in)
- Aldebaran may also elect to earn into an additional 20% interest in the Altar Project by spending an additional US$25 million over a three-year period following the Initial Earn-in.
The Arrangement sees Sibanye-Stillwater benefit from upfront proceeds (US$15 million), while retaining a direct interest in the project of either 40% or 20% (should Aldebaran exercise its additional earn in option) as well as an indirect exposure though its 19.9% shareholding in Aldebaran. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2018.
The proposed Lonmin acquisition
The proposed all share acquisition of Lonmin Plc remains on schedule. South African Reserve Bank approval for the proposed transaction was received in May, with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK authority responsible for investigating any merger that could restrict competition, unconditionally clearing the proposed acquisition in June 2018. Engagement with the South African competition authorities continues. Pending the fulfilment of the remaining conditions precedent, we remain fully committed to the transaction and believe that the rationale for the transaction remains compelling for all stakeholders. Further information on the transaction is available at www.sibanyestillwater.com/investors/transactions/Lonmin.
Stream financing
On 25 July 2018, Sibanye-Stillwater announced the completion of a gold and palladium stream agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals International Ltd (Wheaton International), in terms of which, Sibanye-Stillwater has received US$500 million from Wheaton International in exchange for an agreed percentage of planned gold and palladium production from its US PGM operations (comprised of the East Boulder and Stillwater mining operations).
The US$500 million arising from the Transaction is competitively priced relative to existing Group debt and alternative financing available in international capital markets and immediately reduces Sibanye-Stillwater’s leverage, decreasing Net Debt:adjusted EBITDA by about 0.7x on a pro forma basis. This achieves a Group leverage ratio which is well below current and future covenant levels as per the facility agreements and yields a reduction in Group financing costs. Further detail on the stream is available at: www.sibanyestillwater.com/investors/events/streaming-transaction
Purported class action
Two purported class action lawsuits have been filed against Sibanye Gold Limited (Sibanye-Stillwater), Neal Froneman and Charl Keyter in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleging violations of the US securities laws. The first lawsuit, Case No. 18-cv-03721, was filed on 27 June 2018 by Kevin Brandel, individually and on behalf of all other persons who purchased Sibanye securities between 7 April 2017 and 26 June 2018, inclusive (the “Class Period”). The second lawsuit, Case No. 18-cv-03902, was filed on 6 July 2018 by Lester Heuschen, Jr., also individually and on behalf of members of the Class Period (collectively, the “Class Actions”). The Class Actions allege that certain statements by Sibanye-Stillwater in its annual reports filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission were false and/or misleading. Specifically, the Class Actions allege that Sibanye made false and/or misleading statements about its safety practices and record and thereby violated the US securities laws. The Class Actions seek an unspecified amount of damages.
As the cases are in the early stages, it is not possible to determine the likelihood of success on the merits or to quantify any potential liability from the Class Actions nor estimate the duration of the litigation. Sibanye-Stillwater intends to defend the cases vigorously.
OUTLOOK
The operating/safety challenges experienced in H1 2018 have been our primary focus and are being proactively addressed. I am confident that collaboration with key stakeholders will have a significant impact on safety at our mines. Restoring and then improving the safety performance at our operations globally remains a priority.
Despite the difficult operating environment and potentially crippling operational challenges we have endured, the outlook for the remainder of the year remains positive, with the weaker rand in particular providing significant earnings upside for the SA region.
4E PGM production from the SA PGM operations is likely to be at the upper end of guidance of between 1.1Moz and 1.15Moz, with AISC towards the bottom end of guidance, of between R10,750/4Eoz and R11,250/4Eoz (US$825/4Eoz and US$860/4Eoz). Capital expenditure is forecast at R1,200 million (US$92 million).
Guidance for the SA gold operations for the year ending 31 December 2018 was revised in July 2018 to between 36,500kg and 37,500kg (1.17Moz and 1.21Moz), with AISC forecast at between R515,000/kg and R530,000/kg (US$1,227/oz and US$1,263/oz) and capital expenditure of R3,000 million (US$230 million).
2E PGM production guidance from the US PGM operations for the year ending 31 December 2018 is maintained at between 580,000oz and 610,000oz with AISC between US$640/2Eoz and US$680/2Eoz. Capital expenditure is expected to be up to US$222 million.
Neal Froneman
Chief Executive Officer
ADMINISTRATION AND CORPORATE INFORMATIONView
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SIBANYE GOLD LIMITED LISTINGS WEBSITE REGISTERED AND CORPORATE OFFICE Private Bag X5 INVESTOR ENQUIRIES CORPORATE SECRETARY | DIRECTORS JSE SPONSOR Private Bag X9936 OFFICE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM SECRETARIES LONDON AUDITORS | AMERICAN DEPOSITORY Tatyana Vesselovskaya TRANSFER SECRETARIES PO Box 61051 TRANSFER SECRETARIES |
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