Anglo American Platinum delivers solid financial performance with R13.1 billion of EBITDA, a 6% increase
Highlights:
- Fatality-free at managed operations, marking 620 consecutive fatality-free days to 30 June 2020
- Dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our employees and communities during the Covid-19 pandemic
- R1.2 billion paid to employees not working during lockdown to ensure all employees receive their full salaries and benefits
- R250 million invested in Covid-19 measures, including R55 million on community initiatives with various programmes benefiting over 1 million people
- PGM production impacted by national lockdowns in South Africa and Zimbabwe – c.585,000 ounces lost in H1 2020
- Refined PGM production affected by the temporary shutdowns of the ACP for repairs and Eskom power outages that occurred in the first quarter
- Robust prices supporting a solid financial performance
- Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of R13.1 billion (H1 2019: R12.4 billion)
- A healthy balance sheet, with net cash of R11.3 billion (H1 2019: R6 billion)
- Liquidity headroom of R16.6 billion (excluding customer prepayment)
- Board declared a dividend for H1 2020 of R2.8 billion, or R10.23 per share, based on a 40% pay-out ratio of headline earnings
- A stronger performance is expected in H2 2020, although significant headwinds and risks still exist, including the Covid-19 pandemic impacts, the repair of ACP Phase A, and potential for Eskom power outages
Anglo American Platinum today reported a robust set of financial results and a strong safety performance, illustrating the resilience of the business despite significant headwinds.
Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, commented:
“Our results demonstrate our commitment to safe, responsible and profitable production, and reflect the incredible work done by our entire team during this challenging time.
I am particularly proud of the important work we have been doing to support our employees and host communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The strength of our business has supported our ability to continue paying employees throughout the lockdown, with R1.2 billion paid on salaries and benefits to employees not working during lockdown and those not able to return to work. In addition, we have invested R250 million until the end of June in Covid-19 measures in the workplace and our host communities.
Despite the challenges and safety risks brought about by shutting down and restarting operations, we have reported our best-ever safety performance in the past six months, with own-managed operations running without a fatal incident for an unprecedented consecutive 620 days until the end of June. However, we are deeply saddened to have lost one of our colleagues, Mr Joao Silindane, in a fall-of-ground incident at Kroondal, a non-managed joint venture operation. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Operationally, total PGM production (expressed as platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, iridium and ruthenium metal in concentrate, including joint ventures and third-party purchases) declined by 25% year-on-year in the first half to 1,619,900 ounces, mainly due to the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns in South Africa and Zimbabwe. At the end of June, production levels at our managed operations were at around 80% of normal capacity in aggregate, and we expect this to increase to over 95% by the end of the year as we benefit from a high proportion of open-pit and mechanised production.
Total refined production, including tolling, declined by 46% to 1,246,900 ounces, as the temporary closure of the ACP and load-shedding in the first quarter impacted production. Work is well under way to repair Phase A of the ACP, which is expected to be completed by the year-end. A cautious approach has been taken with the ongoing operation of the Phase B unit during this period, with increased monitoring likely to result in intermittent stoppages to inspect the plant until the repairs to Phase A are completed.
As a result of the ACP process interruptions, there was a build-up of work-in-progress inventory of around 500,000 PGM ounces. It is expected that approximately 45% of this build-up in inventory will be released in the second half of 2020.
In line with the 25% decrease in mining production, the unit cost of production per PGM ounce increased by 26% to R12,555 (H1 2019: R9,951). Excluding the costs associated with unproductive labour amounting to R1.2 billion, or R1,057 per ounce, unit costs would have been R11,498, or 16% higher than H1 2019.
PGM prices were volatile as the Covid-19 pandemic hit both the demand and supply sides of the PGM markets. In dollar terms, the average realised basket price was 56% higher year-on-year at $1,956 per PGM ounce (H1 2019: $1,255 per ounce). The rand weakened 15% against the US dollar, leading to an 80% increase in the rand basket price to R32,166 per PGM ounce (H1 2019: R17,901 per ounce). As a result of higher prices, net sales revenue increased by 28% to R54.8 billion.
Considering the strength of the balance sheet, the support provided to employees and communities to limit the impact of Covid-19, and the discretionary capital options available, the Board has declared an interim dividend of R10.23 per share, or R2.8 billion, in line with the policy to pay out 40% of headline earnings.
On recommendation from the Nominations Committee, the Board approved the appointment of Thabi Leoka and Roger Dixon as independent non-executive directors with effect from 27 July 2020.
Outlook
PGM production guidance (metal-in-concentrate) is between 3.1- 3.6 million PGM ounces for 2020, with refined production and sales volumes expected to be in the same range.
While the early stages of recovery are under way in many geographic regions, there remains a great deal of uncertainty, with limited visibility beyond a few months. Mine supply is expected to be sharply lower this year due to the impact of Covid-19, while global recycling volumes are expected to be less affected. PGM demand will be impacted by the decline in global car and commercial vehicle sales and production, weaker sales of platinum jewellery, and softer industrial demand. Despite the impact on demand, we expect platinum, palladium and rhodium to remain in deficit this year. Longer-term, the Company remains committed to expanding the role PGMs can play in enabling a lower carbon economy and we continue to lead the industry’s demand creation efforts across the industrial, investment and jewellery demand segments.
“The long-term fundamentals for our suite of precious metals are strong, and we will continue investing to deliver value for all our stakeholders through the cycle. While the Covid-19 pandemic has required significant effort to keep our employees safe, as well as ensure that operations continue, we are focused on progressing the next stage of value delivery. Our focus is on implementing technological improvements and innovation across our operations to meet and exceed the world benchmarks for operational excellence and investing in high-returning projects while studying potential growth and replacement options at Mogalakwena and Mototolo/Der Brochen. We also continue to leverage our market development efforts,” concluded Viljoen.
Download the 2020 Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2020