Wrap Text
Third update on impact of COVID-19 and Executive management portfolio change
Sibanye Stillwater Limited
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
Registration number 2014/243852/06
Share code: SSW
ISIN – ZAE000259701
Issuer code: SSW
(“Sibanye-Stillwater” or “the Group” or “the Company”)
Sibanye-Stillwater third update on impact of COVID-19 and Executive management
portfolio change
Johannesburg, 23 April 2020: Further to previous communiques regarding: 1) the
deferral of non-essential growth capital expenditure at the US PGM operations in
order to reduce employee numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) the suspension of
our South African (SA) operations in response to the initial nation-wide lockdown
announced by the President of the Republic of South Africa and 3) approval for limited
mining and processing at the SA operations, subject to the implementation of agreed
protocols to address COVID-19 related health and safety risks, Sibanye-Stillwater
(Tickers JSE: SSW and NYSE: SBSW) provides stakeholders with a further update.
As per the Amended Disaster Regulations announced by the SA Government on 16 April
2020, South African mines may now conduct operations at a reduced capacity of 50% of
normal production during the period of the lockdown, thereafter increasing productive
capacity as determined by the SA Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy.
Neal Froneman, Chief Executive of Sibanye-Stillwater commented: “We fully support the
measures taken thus far by the SA Government to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and
welcome the pragmatic approach taken to resume partial economic activity in the
industry whilst safeguarding the health of employees in line with the currently
available global and local health guidelines and protocols. This phased approach will
facilitate a managed and orderly return to safe production, which is necessary to
maintain the extensive contribution the mining industry makes to the national and
regional economies and to broader society, whilst minimising the prolonged health and
economic consequences of the pandemic for all our stakeholders”.
The safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and communities is our
over-riding concern and, as announced on 20 March 2020, detailed protocols and
measures to manage the risks to employees and contractors of COVID-19 at our
operations had already been developed and were being implemented prior to the
nationwide lockdown.
The risk-based measures announced on 16 April 2020 to resume the prescribed levels
of mining activity include:
1. arranging transport for SA based employees from their homes in remote areas to
their respective areas of work
2. rigorous screening and testing programs to be implemented as employees return to
work
3. the provision of quarantine facilities for employees who may test positive for
COVID-19
4. submission of data collected during screening and testing to the relevant authority
Sibanye-Stillwater fully supports these measures, which are aligned with our existing
COVID-19 mitigation protocols and plans and will be implemented accordingly as
underground production at the SA gold and PGM operations resumes over the course of
the next week or two.
As previously announced, the US PGM operations continue to operate with a reduced
workforce and Mimosa in Zimbabwe resumed operations under precautionary measures
agreed with the Government of Zimbabwe from 20 April 2020.
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The future impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain and forecasting the operating outlook
is complicated by uncertainty relating to the extent of the COVID-19 restrictions and
the rates at which production may resume at the SA operations beyond the current
lockdown period. As such we have decided to suspend previous operating guidance for
2020 until we have greater certainty. Guidance will be provided once we have more
stability and certainty.
Executive management portfolio changes
Following the completion of the Lonmin (now Marikana operations) integration into the
SA PGM portfolio Robert van Niekerk will move into a Group role heading up the
Technical Services function. Wayne Robinson has been appointed EVP: SA PGM operations
and will continue to build off the excellent base that was established by Robert and
his team.
“We have built a substantial and resilient business and the depth and quality of our
management bench provides flexibility and optionality. Wayne has significant
operational experience in SA hard rock mining, including gold and PGMs and will ensure
ongoing delivery and continuity as head of the SA PGM operations. Robert, with his
extensive experience will provide invaluable technical support across the Group and
drive best practice, technology and innovation and project functions, all of which
are core to our future success and relevance”, said Froneman.
Ends.
Investor relations contact:
Email: ir@sibanyestillwater.com
James Wellsted
Head of Investor Relations
Tel: +27 (0) 83 453 4014
Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa Proprietary Limited
Ends.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the “safe harbour” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including, among others, those relating to
Sibanye Stillwater Limited’s (“Sibanye-Stillwater” or the “Group”) financial positions,
business strategies, plans and objectives of management for future operations, are necessarily
estimates reflecting the best judgment of the senior management and directors of Sibanye-
Stillwater.
All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement may be
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also often use words such as “will”,
“forecast”, “potential”, “estimate”, “expect” and words of similar meaning. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events
and circumstances and should be considered in light of various important factors, including
those set forth in this disclaimer. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
statements.
The important factors that could cause Sibanye-Stillwater’s actual results, performance or
achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among
others, our future business prospects; financial positions; debt position and our ability to
reduce debt leverage; business, political and social conditions in the United States, South
Africa, Zimbabwe and elsewhere; plans and objectives of management for future operations; our
ability to obtain the benefits of any streaming arrangements or pipeline financing; our
ability to service our bond instruments; changes in assumptions underlying Sibanye-
Stillwater’s estimation of their current mineral reserves and resources; the ability to
achieve anticipated efficiencies and other cost savings in connection with past, ongoing and
future acquisitions, as well as at existing operations; our ability to achieve steady state
production at the Blitz project; the success of Sibanye-Stillwater’s business strategy;
exploration and development activities; the ability of Sibanye-Stillwater to comply with
requirements that they operate in a sustainable manner; changes in the market price of gold,
PGMs and/or uranium; the occurrence of hazards associated with underground and surface gold,
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PGMs and uranium mining; the occurrence of labour disruptions and industrial action; the
availability, terms and deployment of capital or credit; changes in relevant government
regulations, particularly environmental, tax, health and safety regulations and new
legislation affecting water, mining, mineral rights and business ownership, including any
interpretations thereof which may be subject to dispute; the outcome and consequence of any
potential or pending litigation or regulatory proceedings or other environmental, health and
safety issues; power disruptions, constraints and cost increases; supply chain shortages and
increases in the price of production inputs; fluctuations in exchange rates, currency
devaluations, inflation and other macro-economic monetary policies; the occurrence of
temporary stoppages of mines for safety incidents and unplanned maintenance; the ability to
hire and retain senior management or sufficient technically skilled employees, as well as
their ability to achieve sufficient representation of historically disadvantaged South
Africans in management positions; failure of information technology and communications
systems; the adequacy of insurance coverage; any social unrest, sickness or natural or man-
made disaster at informal settlements in the vicinity of some of Sibanye-Stillwater’s
operations; and the impact of HIV, tuberculosis and the spread of other contagious diseases,
such as coronavirus (“COVID-19”). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties
affecting Sibanye-Stillwater are described in Sibanye-Stillwater’s filings with the
Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the content. Sibanye-Stillwater
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking
statement (except to the extent legally required).
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Date: 23-04-2020 08:00:00
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