F

Chief Financial Officer’s review (including financial capital)
RELEVANT MATERIAL ISSUE/S
- Managing production and performance to ensure successful execution of our business strategy
- Effective project execution
RELEVANT IDENTIFIED RISKS
- Fraud and corruption
- Liquidity
- Exchange rate and commodity price
- Execution of growth projects and development of new operations
- Not meeting production targets
- Labour efficiency and availability
- Electricity supply
Financial capital is necessary to conduct our business. We allocate financial capital appropriately and responsibly to pay our people, fund our operations, sustain our business, invest in the future and to fund rehabilitation and closure.
We do this through cash flow management, investment by shareholders and investors or through borrowings.
|
|
|
OVERVIEW
Northam’s financial position is strong. This is pleasing given the sustained difficult market conditions. Our growth strategy is impacted by the difficult operating environment and persistently weak metal markets. For this reason, our focus is on shallow, mechanisable, brownfields expansion. The successful execution of various projects in the group, particularly the Booysendal South project, will be critical to achieve our strategic objectives.
Given the current PGM price environment, the group’s focus has been to optimise current operations, contain costs and create a platform for further diversification into shallow mechanisable operations. The next 18 to 24 months will focus on prudent cash flow management through cost control and optimising working capital.
Against the background of prudent cash flow management, Northam has continued its capital expenditure on items which are fundamental to the group’s growth strategy. Cash flows utilised in investing activities reached the level of R2.0 billion (F2016: R1.2 billion), divided almost equally between the two group operations. Management estimates that expansionary and sustaining capital expenditure at Zondereinde will amount to R325.7 million and R198.6 million, respectively, for F2018 and R1.2 billion and R108.9 million, respectively, at Booysendal. This will ensure that Northam has the infrastructure and capacity to take advantage of the market when it recovers to sustainable levels by being first to market.
Projected capital expenditure for the next 12 months:
-
Booysendal South R1.1 billion
-
Booysendal North R254.4 million
-
Eland Platinum acquisition R175.0 million
-
Tumela mineral resource acquisition R1.0 billion
-
Zondereinde R524.3 million
-
PGM recycling assets USD10.7 million
Management continues to streamline and simplify the group structure in order to eliminate accounting and tax complexities, and eliminate future administrative costs associated with a complicated structure.
The restructure extends to the finance department which is positioning itself to enhance the performance of the group. A financial reporting backbone, in the form of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform (SAP) is being established, which facilitates the seamless integration and harmonisation of its reporting and performance analysis capabilities. This will be achieved through data digitisation, automation and an optimal structure, with clearly defined roles, manned by a capable team, in order to provide valid, timeous and accurate financial and nonfinancial information efficiently. This would enable operational management to manage costs and make effective decisions. The group services unit within the finance department, will provide the group with reporting services by acting as the glue that standardises and co-ordinates systems, policies and procedures. This will result in economies of scale, but also achieve the objective of consolidating group reporting to/from management, and for analysts, shareholders and other stakeholders. This model will allow enough flexibility to accommodate our growth aspirations.
| 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
12 months ended 30 June 2016 |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R000 | R000 | % | |
| Platinum sales revenue | 3 692 945 | 3 731 417 | (1.0) |
| Total sales revenue | 6 865 185 | 6 097 070 | 12.6 |
| Operating costs | (5 676 017) | (5 007 233) | (13.4) |
| Concentrates purchased | (404 093) | (350 514) | (15.3) |
| Refining including sampling and handling charges | (120 633) | (133 186) | 9.4 |
| Depreciation and write-offs | (452 584) | (403 545) | (12.2) |
| Change in metal inventories | 402 127 | 180 756 | (122.5) |
| Total cost of sales | (6 251 200) | (5 713 722) | (9.4) |
| Operating profit | 613 985 | 383 348 | 60.2 |
| Operating margin | 8.9% | 6.3% | 41.3 |
| EBITDA | 967 228 | 843 446 | 14.7 |
| EBITDA margin | 14.1% | 13.8% | 2.2 |
| Headline loss | (636 371) | (492 837) | (29.1) |
| Normalised headline earnings | 389 316 | 444 057 | (12.3) |
| Cash generated from operations | 981 497 | 839 081 | 17.0 |
| Capital expenditure on property, plant, equipment, mining properties and mineral reserves, including prepayments | (1 957 217) | (1 173 980) | 66.7 |
NORMALISED HEADLINE EARNINGS
Normalised headline earnings, which is Northam’s primary method of measuring the performance of the group, have been calculated taking into account the headline loss per share adjusted for non-cash items relating to the BEE transaction. These include the preference share dividends associated with the BEE financing structure.
Stripping out these non-cash items resulted in normalised headline earnings of R398.3 million which equates to normalised earnings per share of 78.1 cents based on the total number of 509 781 212 issued shares.
This was lower than the prior year’s 87.1 cents per share owing to lower investment revenues associated with reduced cash balances, an insurance claim in the previous year, and the net foreign transaction costs incurred compared to a gain last year. Write-offs of inventory in terms of the accounting standards that require inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value also resulted in lower operating profits than could have been achieved had metal prices been higher in F2017.
| 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
12 months ended 30 June 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| R000 | R000 | |
| Headline loss | (636 371) | (492 837) |
| Add back: | ||
| Amortisation of liquidity fees paid on preference shares | 16 390 | 18 088 |
| Non-cash preference share dividends | 1 017 396 | 918 806 |
| Loss on derecognition of preference share liability | 901 | – |
| Normalised headline earnings | 398 316 | 444 057 |
| Normalised headline earnings per share (cents) | 78.1 | 87.1 |
| Number of shares in issue including treasury shares | 509 781 212 | 509 781 212 |
REVENUE
Group sales revenue rose 12.6% to R6.9 billion (F2016: R6.1 billion) on the back of higher US dollar PGM and base metal prices. The average PGM basket price increased by 8.3% to USD900/oz (F2016 USD831/oz). This translated to total revenue per platinum oz sold increasing by 11.0% to R25 050 (F2016: R22 566). However, the stronger average exchange rate of R13.63/USD (F2016: R14.33/USD) tempered the increase in the total revenue.
Sales volumes increased marginally to 453 581oz (F2016: 452 393oz) reflecting the current metallurgical processing capacity constraints of the group.
| 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
12 months ended 30 June 2016 |
Variance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | ||||
| Total metal sold | ||||
| Platinum | oz | 274 062 | 270 194 | 1 4 |
| Palladium | oz | 131 962 | 134 101 | (1.6) |
| Rhodium | oz | 41 742 | 42 632 | (2.1) |
| Gold | oz | 5 815 | 5 466 | 6.4 |
| 4E | oz | 453 581 | 452 393 | 0.3 |
| Average market prices achieved and sales statistics | ||||
| Platinum | USD/oz | 988 | 964 | 2.5 |
| Palladium | USD/oz | 731 | 586 | 24.7 |
| Rhodium | USD/oz | 803 | 721 | 11.4 |
| Gold | USD/oz | 1 255 | 1 174 | 6.9 |
| 4E basket price | USD/oz | 900 | 831 | 8.3 |
| Average exchange rate | R/USD | 13.63 | 14.33 | (4.9) |
| Nickel sales | R000 | 171 766 | 162 947 | 5.4 |
| Nickel sold | t | 1 260 | 1 268 | (0.6) |
| Average nickel market price achieved | USD/t | 9 962 | 9 014 | 10.5 |
| Chrome sales | R000 | 925 294 | 354 653 | 160.9 |
| Chrome sold | t | 581 385 | 540 624 | 7.5 |
| Average chrome price achieved | USD/t | 118 | 45 | 162.2 |
| Average chrome price achieved | R/t | 1 586 | 656 | 141.8 |
| Total revenue per platinum oz sold* | R/oz | 25 050 | 22 566 | 11.0 |
| Total revenue per 4E oz sold* | R/oz | 15 136 | 13 477 | 12.3 |
* Total revenue takes into account all sales revenue divided by total metal sold.
| Zondereinde operations | Booysendal operations | Intercompany eliminations | Total | Total | |
| Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 | Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 | Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 | Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 | Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | |
| Platinum | 3 692 945 | 1 284 164 | (1 284 164) | 3 692 945 | 3 731 417 |
| Palladium | 1 316 374 | 500 433 | (500 433) | 1 316 374 | 1 122 284 |
| Rhodium | 453 084 | 189 076 | (189 076) | 453 084 | 442 998 |
| Gold | 99 322 | 19 328 | (19 328) | 99 322 | 92 151 |
| Chrome | 455 145 | 470 149 | – | 925 294 | 354 653 |
| Other | 378 166 | 111 292 | (111 292) | 378 166 | 351 617 |
| Housing revenue | – | – | – | – | 1 950 |
| 6 395 036 | 2 574 442 | (2 104 293) | 6 865 185 | 6 097 070 |
Costs
Cost of sales increased 9.4% to R6.3 billion (F2016: R5.7 billion) following a 13.4% rise in operating costs to R5.7 billion (F2016: R5.0 billion). The increase in operating costs is mainly the result of higher on-mine operational costs, which were up 13.7%, reflecting production volume increases at Booysendal as well as labour and power increases. The value of purchased concentrate from third parties rose 15.3% to R404.1 million (F2016: R350.5 million) reflecting the 12.1% growth in volumes delivered. The 12.2% increase in the depreciation charge is attributable to the higher volumes of production as the charge is calculated on the units of production method and the higher values of property, plant and equipment in line with increasing group capital expenditure.
The change in metal inventory value of R402.1 million (F2016: R180.8 million), reflects the increase in inventories owing to the group’s current constrained metallurgical capacity. Group unit cash costs per equivalent refined platinum oz were well contained, increasing 4.6% to R19 736/oz (F2016: R18 877/oz), with the group cash profit per equivalent refined platinum oz increasing 44.0% to R5 314/oz (F2016: R3 689/oz).
With the increased capital expenditure in support of our production growth strategy, cash balances were lower, thereby impacting revenues from investment which fell 36.9% to R167.3 million (F2016: R265.3 million). Sundry income was down 52.6% at R73.4 million (F2016: R154.8 million) mainly due to the once-off receipt from a cancelled insurance contingency policy and a related insurance refund in the comparative period.
Included in finance costs, which were up 79.6% to R71.2 million, was the unwinding of the rehabilitation liability charge of R41.5 million. The interest charges of R51.8 million (F2016: R28.3 million), associated with the two domestic medium term notes of R175.0 million and R250.0 million, were fully capitalised in the year under review.
Sundry expenditure was up 42.0%, due to the higher care and maintenance costs, which now also include Eland mine, and higher corporate action costs reflecting the increased corporate activity of the group.
Operating profit increased 60.2% to R614.0 million (F2016: R383.3 million). The group’s operating profit percentage improved to 8.9% (F2016: 6.3%) reflecting higher PGM prices, strong cost control and economies of scale as group production increased.
The 10.7% increase in the cumulative non-cash preference share dividend to R1.0 billion, net of capitalised interest of R24.3 million, is due to the compounding nature of the preference share liability, and is the main reason for the group’s net loss.
| Zondereinde operations | Booysendal operations | Intercompany | Total | Total | |
| Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
Audited 12 months ended 30 June 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | |
| Labour | 1 733 561 | 172 957 | – | 1 906 518 | 1 776 055 |
| Stores | 923 642 | 149 194 | – | 1 072 836 | 941 567 |
| Utilities | 564 702 | 139 196 | – | 703 898 | 638 304 |
| Sundries and contractors | 495 696 | 1 503 069 | (6 000) | 1 992 765 | 1 649 607 |
| Rehabilitation | – | – | – | – | 1 700 |
| 3 717 601 | 1 964 416 | (6 000) | 5 676 017 | 5 007 233 |
SEGMENTAL REPORTING
The group has two business segments, the Zondereinde mine and the Booysendal mine. The group’s executive committee considers the performance of the Zondereinde and Booysendal mines when allocating resources and assessing the segmental performance.
Zambezi Platinum (RF) Limited has been included in the table below in order to reconcile the amounts to the reported statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Zambezi Platinum (RF) Limited is not a separate operating segment as it does not engage in business activities from which it earns revenue and/or incurs expenses. In addition to this, its operating results are not regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision makers in assessing the performance of the entity.
| Zondereinde operating segment |
Booysendal operating segment |
Intercompany eliminations |
Zambezi and the BEE transaction |
Other* | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months ended 30 June 2017 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 |
| Sales revenue | 6 395 036 | 2 574 442 | (2 104 293) | – | – | 6 865 185 |
| Cost of sales | (6 162 574) | (2 137 031) | 2 048 405 | – | – | (6 251 200) |
| Operating costs | (3 717 601) | (1 964 416) | 6 000 | – | – | (5 676 017) |
| Mining operations | (2 909 091) | (1 482 640) | 6 000 | – | – | (4 385 731) |
| Concentrator operations | (290 863) | (339 910) | – | – | – | (630 773) |
| Smelting and base metal removal plant costs | (318 807) | – | – | – | – | (318 807) |
| Chrome processing | (20 468) | (16 415) | – | – | – | (36 883) |
| Selling and administration | (82 082) | (80 305) | – | – | – | (162 387) |
| Royalty charges | (32 169) | (12 872) | – | – | – | (45 041) |
| Share-based payment expenses and profit share scheme | (64 121) | (32 274) | – | – | – | (96 395) |
| Concentrates purchased | (2 508 386) | – | 2 104 293 | – | – | (404 093) |
| Refining including sampling and handling charges | (120 633) | – | – | – | – | (120 633) |
| Depreciation and write-offs | (182 650) | (271 666) | 1 732 | – | – | (452 584) |
| Change in metal inventory | 366 696 | 99 051 | (63 620) | – | – | 402 127 |
| Operating profit | 232 462 | 437 411 | (55 888) | – | – | 613 985 |
| Share of earnings from associate and joint venture | – | – | – | – | 4 870 | 4 870 |
| Investment revenue | 126 043 | 48 196 | (2 689) | (19 204) | 14 960 | 167 306 |
| Finance charges before preference shares | (72 512) | (21 542) | 2 689 | – | 20 180 | (71 185) |
| Net foreign exchange transaction losses | (32 564) | (14 165) | – | – | – | (46 729) |
| Sundry income | 64 233 | 6 815 | (7 000) | – | 9 313 | 73 361 |
| Sundry expenditure | (60 587) | (32 402) | 1 000 | – | (38 854) | (130 843) |
| Profit/(loss) before preference share dividends | 257 075 | 424 313 | (61 888) | (19 204) | 10 469 | 610 765 |
| Amortisation of liquidity fees paid on preference shares | – | – | – | (16 390) | – | (16 390) |
| Preference share dividends | – | – | – | (1 017 396) | – | (1 017 396) |
| Loss on derecognition of preference share liability | – | – | – | (901) | – | (901) |
| Profit/(loss) before tax | 257 075 | 424 313 | (61 888) | (1 053 891) | 10 469 | (423 922) |
| Taxation | (73 065) | (146 986) | – | – | 8 030 | (212 021) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 184 010 | 277 327 | (61 888) | (1 053 891) | 18 499 | (635 943) |
| 12 months ended 30 June 2016 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | R000 | |
| Sales revenue | 5 966 217 | 1 972 883 | (1 843 980) | – | 1 950 | 6 097 070 | |
| Cost of sales | (5 718 092) | (1 796 904) | 1 843 980 | – | (42 706) | (5 713 722) | |
| Operating costs | (3 464 378) | (1 541 040) | – | – | (1 815) | (5 007 233) | |
| Mining operations | (2 691 280) | (1 166 353) | – | – | – | (3 857 633) | |
| Concentrator operations | (285 170) | (283 461) | – | – | – | (568 631) | |
| Smelting and base metal removal plant costs | (273 612) | – | – | – | – | (273 612) | |
| Chrome processing | (18 175) | (11 921) | – | – | – | (30 096) | |
| Selling and administration | (106 622) | (47 762) | – | – | – | (154 384) | |
| Royalty charges | (34 419) | (9 864) | – | – | – | (44 283) | |
| Share-based payment expenses and profit share scheme | (46 532) | (28 547) | – | – | – | (75 079) | |
| Rehabilitation | (8 568) | 6 868 | – | – | – | (1 700) | |
| Other | – | – | – | – | (1 815) | (1 815) | |
| Concentrates purchased | (2 194 494) | – | 1 843 980 | – | – | (350 514) | |
| Refining including sampling and handling charges | (133 186) | – | – | – | – | (133 186) | |
| Depreciation and write-offs | (191 797) | (213 481) | – | – | 1 733 | (403 545) | |
| Change in metal inventory | 265 763 | (42 383) | – | – | (42 624) | 180 756 | |
| Operating profit | 248 125 | 175 979 | – | – | (40 756) | 383 348 | |
| Share of losses from associate and joint venture | – | – | – | – | (32 253) | (32 253) | |
| Investment revenue | 111 066 | 163 940 | (27 223) | – | 17 475 | 265 258 | |
| Finance charges before preference shares | (33 515) | (24 131) | 27 223 | – | (9 211) | (39 634) | |
| Net foreign exchange transaction profits | 26 163 | – | – | – | – | 26 163 | |
| Sundry income | 131 274 | 3 233 | – | – | 20 258 | 154 765 | |
| Sundry expenditure | (37 088) | (32 110) | – | – | (22 924) | (92 122) | |
| Profit/(loss) before preference share dividends | 446 025 | 286 911 | – | – | (67 411) | 665 525 | |
| Amortisation of liquidity fees paid on preference shares | – | – | – | (18 088) | – | (18 088) | |
| Preference shares | – | – | – | (918 806) | – | (918 806) | |
| Profit/(loss) before tax | 446 025 | 286 911 | – | (936 894) | (67 411) | (271 369) | |
| Taxation | (162 587) | (82 866) | – | – | 8 559 | (236 894) | |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 283 438 | 204 045 | – | (936 894) | (58 852) | (508 263) | |
* Various subsidiaries, consolidation adjustments made as well as the capitalisation of borrowing costs.
CASH POSITION AND CASH FLOWS
Cash flows from operating activities increased to R981.5 million (F2016: R839.1 million) largely as a function of lower tax paid and the higher working capital requirements which reflect unusually high levels of inventory. The high inventory levels should normalise soon after the new furnace is commissioned at the beginning of H2 F2018.
The R2.0 billion (F2016: R1.1 billion) of cash utilised in investing activities, which includes a prepayment of R336.4 million (F2016: RNil), is higher than the comparative, reflecting the group’s growing capital expenditure programme. With the prepayment, we have secured cheaper financing from the offshore supplier of the aerial rope conveyor for Booysendal South. The major project spend is on the 20MW furnace at Zondereinde and the Booysendal South mine development.
Cash flows utilised from financing activities are lower at R250.1 million (F2016: R745.4 million) as there were no fund raising activities in F2017 compared to the previous period. In F2016 the R1.4 billion domestic medium term note was repaid whilst in the current period Northam acquired Zambezi Platinum (RF) Limited preference shares to the value of R208.7 million (F2016: RNil).
In addition to the cash and cash equivalents on hand at 30 June 2017 of R1.8 billion, the group had unutilised revolving credit facilities in place of R1.0 billion.
HOW WE DISTRIBUTE VALUE
Northam creates value for stakeholders in many ways, including increasing production and sales; increasing earnings and growth; through taxes and royalties; transformation; salaries and wages; training and development; housing and accommodation; and investing in communities in the form of local economic development, preferential procurement and corporate social investment. We recognise that stakeholders, be they shareholders, employees or communities, have certain expectations of the company, not all of which may be appropriate or possible to meet. However, we understand and manage these expectations through credible and effective stakeholder engagement.
| 12 months ended 30 June 2017 |
12 months ended 30 June 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| R000 | R000 | |
| Value distributed to employees | ||
| Salaries and wages | 1 608 649 | 1 583 260 |
| Contributions to retirement benefit funds | 128 675 | 123 964 |
| Contributions to healthcare funds | 73 112 | 68 831 |
| Share-based payment settlements | 73 495 | 56 222 |
| Total value created and distributed to employees | 1 883 931 | 1 832 277 |
| Value created and distributed to government | ||
| Mining and non-mining tax | 70 108 | 140 825 |
| Mining royalties | 45 041 | 44 283 |
| Pay as you earn deducted from employees | 315 077 | 294 043 |
| Total value created and distributed to tax authorities | LA 430 226 | 479 151 |
| Value created and distributed to providers of capital | ||
| Dividends | – | – |
| Finance charges excluding the Zambezi preference share dividends, including amounts capitalised | 122 982 | 39 634 |
| Total value created and distributed to providers of capital | 122 982 | 39 634 |
| Value created and distributed to the broader community | ||
| Corporate social responsibility and local economic development | 6 898 | 3 543 |
| Black economic empowerment trust operating costs | 8 546 | – |
| Administrative costs relating to Zambezi Platinum (RF) Limited | 552 | 3 076 |
| Total value created and distributed to the broader community | 15 996 | 6 619 |
| Value utilised by the group | ||
| Depreciation and write-offs | 452 584 | 403 545 |
| Rehabilitation provided to meet statutory obligations (included in finance charges in the current year) | – | 1 700 |
| Total comprehensive income for the year | (635 943) | (488 441) |
| Total value utilised by the group | (183 359) | (83 196) |
| Total value added | 2 269 776 | 2 274 485 |
CONSOLIDATION OF ZAMBEZI PLATINUM (RF) LIMITED INTO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS OF NORTHAM AND THE BEE TRANSACTION
In terms of the Northam BEE transaction, Northam first issued 112 195 122 new ordinary shares on 18 May 2015 to Zambezi Platinum (RF) Limited (Zambezi), representing 22.0% of Northam’s issued share capital at a subscription price of R41 per share, for a consideration of R4.6 billion. Secondly, Zambezi acquired an additional 47 710 331 existing Northam ordinary shares from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), also at an acquisition price of R41 per share, amounting to a consideration of R2.0 billion, representing 9.4% of the Northam issued share capital. Zambezi therefore holds a combined 31.4% interest in Northam’s issued share capital.
The transaction was financed by way of 159 905 453 new Zambezi listed preference shares, redeemable at the end of a 10-year period. These BEE preference shares are guaranteed by Northam and as a result of the guarantee consolidated into the Northam group results.
The redemption of the preference share liability will occur in part through 90% of the dividends received from Northam Platinum Limited. There is, however no obligation to settle the preference share liability during the 10 year lock-in period should no dividends be received from Northam Platinum Limited. After the lock-in period of 10 years the preference share liability will be redeemed in a bullet payment through the possible sell-off of the Northam shares owned by Zambezi into the market to realise the capital value. In the event that this is not sufficient to settle the liability, the preference share liability will be secured in terms of a financial guarantee issued by Northam. Should a liability arise under the Northam guarantee, Northam may settle this liability by capitalising Zambezi with cash and/or Northam shares before the redemption amount becomes due or making payment directly to the preference shareholders. The manner of settlement is a choice and is not contractually specified.
In terms of the preference share agreement between Zambezi and its preference shareholders, the preference shareholders will be entitled to receive dividends equal to the South African prime interest rate plus 3.5% over the 10-year period. The preference shares will be compulsorily redeemable on the day immediately preceding the 10th anniversary of the implementation date. The preference shares can only be redeemable before this date upon the occurrence of an early redemption event which is defined in the agreement. The redemption price will be equal to the preference shares’ issue price.
In terms of the preference shares agreement, the preference dividends will accumulate (compounded) at the rate mentioned above for the 10-year period. On the redemption date, Zambezi has to settle any outstanding dividends accumulated, together with the redemption price. Zambezi does not have any discretion to avoid the payment of cumulative preference dividends or the payment of the redemption price, and is therefore obliged to settle this amount by delivering cash, a variable number of Northam shares or a combination of the two.
The preference shares as well as any accumulated and unpaid preference dividends are deemed to meet the definition of a financial liability, and are accounted for as such in the statement of financial position of Zambezi, and consolidated in the financials of Northam in terms of International Financial Reporting Standards. This means that the Northam group reflects the BEE equity issued shares as treasury shares and the BEE preference shares are reflected as a liability.
KEY ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The preparation of the company and group’s financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the reporting date. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that could require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future.
These estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Comprehensive information relating to the individual estimates, assumptions and judgements made by management has been included in note 2 to the financial statements.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT
Subsequent to year-end, an agreement was entered into to purchase a suite of PGM recycling equipment and the associated premises from A-1 Specialized Services Inc., a recycler of PGMs. The business is located in the state of Pennsylvania, United States of America. The total value of the transaction amounts to USD10.7 million in cash.
In addition to the above, the Section 102 ministerial consent relating to the approval for the purchase of the Tumela block mineral resources from Anglo American Platinum Limited for R1.0 billion was obtained.
Apart from these transactions, there have been no other events subsequent to the year-end, which require additional disclosure or adjustment to these financial results.
OUTLOOK
The global economic outlook remains uncertain resulting in volatile metal markets and exchange rates. The group’s financial performance will depend on achieving higher metal sales prices and a stable operating performance. Management is confident that the group’s strong financial position, prudent financial controls and the development of shallow, mechanisable operations at Booysendal will place the group in a position to take advantage of improved market conditions going forward.
Cost control will remain a key focus area and management is confident it will be able to contain the unit cost increase per platinum ounce by maintaining cost control as a key focus area on the one hand, and growing the production base on the other.
We are confident that the fundamentals of the PGM markets will reassert, giving impetus to a stronger pricing environment. The perceived threats to demand are receding and South African primary supply is under pressure from underinvestment. Northam’s investment in new production through this down- cycle is intended to deliver into a rising market and therefore ultimately create value for all stakeholders.
Ayanda Khumalo
Chief financial officer
22 September 2017