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LON - Lonmin - Annual Report and 2010 Annual General Meeting

Release Date: 15/12/2009 08:16
Code(s): LON
Wrap Text

LON - Lonmin - Annual Report and 2010 Annual General Meeting Lonmin Plc (Incorporated in England and Wales) (Registered in the Republic of South Africa under registration number 1969/000015/10) JSE code: LON Issuer Code: LOLMI & ISIN : GB0031192486 ("Lonmin" or the "Company") 14 December 2009 Annual Report and 2010 Annual General Meeting On 16 November 2009 Lonmin announced its Final Results for the year ended 30 September 2009. The announcement made on that date included inter alia a condensed set of financial statements and a management report, as required by DTR 4.1. Lonmin has today posted to shareholders and, in accordance with LR 9.6.1 R, has submitted to the Financial Services Authority printed copies of the following documents: * Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2009 (the "Annual Report") * Circular relating to the Annual General Meeting to be held on 28 January 2010 * Forms of Proxy for shareholders on the UK and SA registers These documents will shortly be available for inspection at the Document Viewing Facility (from 9:00 am to 5.30 pm on every weekday except bank holidays) which is situated at the following address: UK Listing Authority The Financial Services Authority 25 The North Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 5HS As required by DTR 6.3.5 R (3), the Company confirms that the Annual Report and the Circular relating to the Annual General Meeting are now available to view or download in pdf format from the Lonmin website, www.lonmin.com. Pursuant to DTR 6.1.2 R, Lonmin confirms that one of the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting is the adoption of new Articles of Association. A description of the material changes is contained in the circular relating to the Annual General Meeting, which contains the Notice of Meeting. In accordance with its obligations under LR 13.8.10 R, Lonmin confirms that copies of the blacklined articles of association showing the proposed changes will shortly be lodged with the Document Viewing Facility and are available from the Company Secretary`s Office, Lonmin Plc, 4 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7YL and, on the date of the Annual General Meeting, at the Church House Conference Centre, Dean`s Yard, Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ from at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the meeting until its conclusion. The appendix to this announcement contains additional information which has been extracted from the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2009 (the "Annual Report and Accounts") for the purposes of compliance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and should be read together with the Final Results Announcement, which can be downloaded from the Company`s website at www.lonmin.com. This announcement should be read in conjunction with and is not a substitute for reading the full Annual Report and Accounts. Together these constitute the information required by DTR 6.3.5. which is required to be communicated to media in full unedited text through a Regulatory Information Service. Page and note references in the text below refer to page numbers and notes in the Annual Report and Accounts.: * A statement on internal control and the principal risks and uncertainties * A statement on related party transactions * Certain financial statements APPENDIX Internal Controls and Risk Management This section explains the Group`s internal control environment, how we assess its effectiveness and how we identify, evaluate and manage risk. There is also a discussion of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group, the consequences if these are not managed and the mitigations currently relied upon by management. Internal controls The Company complied throughout the year under review and continues to comply with the provisions of the Combined Code on internal controls and the relevant parts of the Turnbull and Smith guidance. While the Board has overall responsibility for the Company`s system of internal control, management is responsible for implementing agreed Board policies. It is important to recognise that systems of internal control can only be designed to manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve the business objectives and cannot provide absolute assurance against material mis-statement or loss. Key features of the Company`s internal control framework, which supports the financial reporting process, include: * a schedule of matters reserved for the Board`s decision; * detailed terms of reference for the Board Committees; * a Code of Business Ethics and external whistle-blowing hotline; * Human Resources policies which establish a consistent set of values and standards for managing employees and contractors throughout the group; * a document summarising the delegation of authority cascade from the Board to the various levels of Group management; * documented policies and procedures for certain key group-wide matters, including treasury, capital investment, risk management, human capital and procurement, supported by local policies and procedures as necessary; * the Group strategy and Life of Business Plan, supported by the mineral resource database and model, and annual technical and financial budgets; * systems including the SAP enterprise resource planning system, a bespoke metallurgical tracking system and a detailed mine planning system; * management reporting against plans, budgets and forecasts; * external audit and other assurance, including a biennial audit of mineral reserves and resources; and * internal audit and other in-house review processes. To ensure that the Audit and Risk Committee has full oversight of the work of the internal audit function, the Head of Internal Audit reports to the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee, with a joint reporting line to the VP, Treasury and Risk. The Audit and Risk Committee meets regularly with both the internal and external auditors to discuss internal control and other matters arising from the assurance process. The Board is responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal control, including financial, operational and compliance controls and systems for the identification and management of risk. This task is carried out on behalf of the Board by the Audit and Risk Committee, which has undertaken a review of the internal control environment following the year end. To do so, the Committee assessed the following: * responses provided by circa eighty senior managers in management confirmation letters completed at the end of the financial year, designed to provide assurance on the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance with Group policies and procedures; * a number of external parties providing assurance on different parts of the business and its control environment; * progress made by management in identifying and mitigating the key risks facing the Group; * routine management reporting on business performance and results; and * reports provided to the Audit and Risk Committee by both internal and external auditors and other specialist advisors in relation to the Group`s risk and control environments. Action has been, or is being, taken where necessary to address as far as practicable any significant failings and weaknesses identified in the reviews of effectiveness of internal controls whether they are financial, operational or compliance. Risk management There is an ongoing process in place for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks facing the Group that has been in place throughout the year under review and to the date of approval of the accounts. This process has been reviewed regularly by the Audit and Risk Committee on behalf of the Board, and accords with the guidance appended to the Combined Code. The approach taken is systematic and combines both a "top-down" and a "bottom- up" review and approval process. All senior managers are responsible for managing and monitoring risks that could impede the achievement of business objectives and these are recorded in a risk register. It is mandatory for this process to take place at least once a year, but in practice a more frequent review takes place in most business areas. For each risk identified, management also assesses the root causes, consequences and mitigating controls in relation to the risk. An assessment is then made of the maximum risk exposure and the effectiveness of the controls in place to mitigate that risk. A numerical scoring matrix is used to derive a risk score and priority after taking account of mitigating controls. Where the risk score and priority remain high after mitigating controls are taken into account, action plans are devised to reduce these risks further and progress against these plans is regularly reviewed. Each of the business areas is supported by an Operational Risk Champion who co- ordinates all risk management activity in that business area and ensures that actions are implemented appropriately. Progress against action plans is also reviewed regularly by the Audit and Risk Committee and reported to the Board. Lonmin groups risks into strategic, financial, external and operational risks. The key risks faced by Lonmin, based on our current understanding, along with their potential impact and the mitigation strategies developed are detailed on the following pages. There is no implied ranking in the order of disclosure. The Company`s strategy takes into account these known risks, but risks will exist of which we are currently unaware and the severity or probability of the occurrence of known risks may change from time to time. Strategic Risk Impact - Ineffective or poorly executed strategy fails to create shareholder value or fails to meet shareholder expectations. Risk Impact Mitigation Corporate & Non-delivery of our Social and community Social Social and Labour programmes are monitored by Responsibility* plan could result the Executive Committee and in the withdrawal the Safety and of our Mining Sustainability Committee.
Licence. Clear KPIs set and measured on a regular basis. Ongoing dialogue with the relevant authorities.
Failure to Results in a Full engagement with the comply with deteriorating DMR in South Africa and Black Economic relationship with further engagement with all Empowerment the Department of other stakeholders to (BEE) codes in Mineral Resources ensure compliance. relation to (DMR) in South mining e.g. Africa. failure to achieve BEE equity participation of 26% by 2014 Investment and Shareholder value Review of strategy and business not optimised. financial returns at Board decisions fail level on an annual basis. to deliver Consistent investment shareholder appraisal process applied value to new capital spend. Opportunities have been taken to restructure the
business by stopping production of unprofitable ounces to maximise shareholder value. A
comprehensive defence strategy is in place. Access to a Could impact on the Measurement of water usage secure supply ability to run and water saving of water current operations initiatives implemented. and deliver future Plans aligned with long expansion plans. term strategy of the Company and additional
water suppliers for key areas to be secured accordingly. Access to a Could impact on the Measurement of energy usage secure supply ability to run and energy saving of electricity current operations initiatives implemented. and deliver future Load shed and contractual expansion plans. agreements in place with
Eskom (SA energy supplier). Continuity planning in place and additional supply for key areas to be secured
accordingly. * see Sustainable Development Review in Annual Report and Accounts for more detailed disclosure Financial Risk Impact - Asset performance and/or excessive leverage results in the Group not being able to meet its financial obligations. Risk Impact Mitigation Foreign Significant Current policy is not to exchange risk fluctuations in hedge this currency pair. (specifically exchange rates to There is a long term US Dollar/ SA which the Group is correlation between US Rand) exposed could have Dollar / SA Rand and PGM a material adverse basket price, although effect on the this can dislocate over Group`s future the shorter term. financial
condition. Commodity Significant Current policy is not to price risk fluctuations in hedge PGM basket prices. commodity prices to There is a long term
which the Group is correlation between US exposed could have Dolla r/ SA Rand and PGM a material adverse basket price, although effect on the this can dislocate over
Group`s future the shorter term. financial Hedging of base metals is condition. undertaken under the remit of the Price and
Risk Committee. Uncompetitive Could have a High cost per ounce gross and / material adverse assets put on care and or unit costs effect on the maintenance. Cost base Group`s competitive tailored to fit the position and future current environment financial through the recent condition. restructuring programme.
Clear understanding of our competitive position and required productivity improvement plans in
place. Access to The Group may not Tenure of debt extended. cost be able to obtain Rights issue completed effective cost effective this year to strengthen funding** funding when the balance sheet, key required which covenants in banking could impact on the lines constantly ability of the monitored through rolling
Group to meet its cash flow forecasts with liabilities as they appropriate covenant fall due. waivers in place for FY10. Regular contact
with our banking group. ** see Financial Review in Annual Report and Accounts for more detailed disclosure External Risk Impact - The political, industry or market environment may negatively impact on the Group`s ability to independently manage and grow its business. Risk Impact Mitigation Changing The occurrence of Ongoing dialogue with the political such a change could relevant government at all landscape have a material levels and other key in any of adverse effect on the stakeholders. Effective the Group`s future communications programmes countries operational with key stakeholders. in which performance and Other PGM mining companies we operate financial condition. would face the same issue. negatively impacts the business PGM supply Significant changes Gathering market & demand to either / both the information from customers volatility supply and demand and other sources. side in the PGM Monitoring market segments industry (e.g. and trends in the industry.
production Continue to support substitution or initiatives to develop supply side existing and new markets constraints) could for PGMs. Longer term
have a material volume contracts with key adverse effect on the customers. Group`s future operational
performance and financial condition. Operational Risk Impact - Operational event impacting staff, contractors, communities or the environment leading to loss of revenue and/or reputation or increased costs. Risk Impact Mitigation Inadequate and / Significant changes Bore hole sampling and or poor quality to our assessment of seismic surveys conducted ore reserves the quality and under the supervision of extent of our ore specialist geologists reserves could have a coupled with independent material adverse audits of reserves. Quality
effect on the Group`s in-house technical team with future operational multiple internal review performance and processes. financial condition.
Lack of long term Shareholder value not Independent peer review of ore reserve optimised over the Long Term Plan before depletion long term. submission to the Board. planning Lack of short Could severely Technical Services functions term ore reserve disrupt operations acting independently of mine development and have a material management located at mine planning adverse effect on the shafts scrutinising Group`s financial flexibility and working condition. areas. Performance measured and reported to the Board. Recoveries Could have a material Grade targets set and throughout adverse effect on the measured by assay and operations not Group`s financial sampling in Mining. In maximised condition. Processing, plant maintenance programmes
ensure plant stability to assist in optimising recoveries. Technical Services functions acting
independently of operational management scrutinise management information. Experienced management teams
and clear benchmarks set. Inadequate backup Could severely Pyromets provide an element smelting capacity disrupt operations of back-up capacity. Spare and have a material capacity in No. 1 furnace
adverse effect on the currently gives ability to Group`s financial catch up. Re-design of No. 1 condition. furnace includes improved monitoring and fault
detection technology. Study initiated into how this risk could be further mitigated. Major fault on Could severely Plant maintenance programmes key piece of disrupt operations coupled with an on-site equipment and have a material stock of critical spares. adverse effect on the Group`s financial
condition. Contamination and Could lead to health Emissions monitored by / or emissions concerns in local regular sampling. Scrubber impacting on the communities, systems in place. Long term surrounding withdrawal of disposal strategy for environment and relevant licences and calcium sulphite communities potential litigation. established. Re-lining of tailings dams to prevent
groundwater pollution. Fraud and / or Could have a material Fraud awareness training and theft of product adverse effect on the security reviews supported Group`s financial by a code of ethics and
condition. whistle blowing programme. Security and Investigations department operations in key areas on the business.
Failure of safety Could put lives at Safety & Sustainability routines and / or risk, severely Committee oversees all safety strategy disrupt operations safety matters. Safety and have a material standards set and monitored
adverse effect on the regularly throughout the Group`s financial Company. Clearly defined condition. safety protocols including Safe Behaviour Observations.
Plant maintenance programmes supported by critical spares inventory. Regular independent safety audits
and inspections by the DMR. Deteriorating Could severely Full engagement strategy industrial disrupt operations with the unions and relations and / and have a material employees supported by our or union adverse effect on the other external disruption Group`s financial relationships. condition. Failure of Could severely Clear organisational internal controls disrupt operations structure with appropriate and have a material segregation of duties. adverse effect on the Independent internal and Group`s financial external audits with follow
condition. up of outstanding action points. Related Party Transactions Pursuant to DTR 4.2.8 R Lonmin confirms that it is not party to any related party transactions, either entered into during the year ended 30 September 2009, or prior to that period. Statement of Directors` responsibility The following responsibility statement is repeated here solely for the purpose of complying with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 6.3.5. This statement relates to and is extracted from page 91 of the Annual Report and Accounts. Responsibility is for the full Annual Report and Accounts not the extracted information presented in this announcement or the Final Results Announcement. "Responsibility statement We confirm that to the best of our knowledge: * the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and * the directors` report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. Roger Phillimore Chairman Alan Ferguson Chief Financial Officer" Ends Date: 15/12/2009 08:16:19 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.