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Lonmin plc - Interim Statement March 2005

Release Date: 04/05/2005 08:15
Code(s): LON
Wrap Text

Lonmin plc - Interim Statement March 2005 Lonmin plc (Reg no: 1969/000015/10) Code: LON ISIN: GB0031192486 ("Lonmin") 4 May 2005 Production and Cost Recovery * Earnings before interest and tax $152 million up 19 per cent (including insurance recoveries and metallurgical recoveries) * Underlying earnings per share 48.7 cents up 23 per cent * Smelter returned to full operation and full year cost and production impact minimised * Platinum production of 366,781 ounces and total PGM production of 666,303 ounces * Costs managed in line with previous guidance at R2,431 per PGM ounce sold * Dividend maintained at 30 cents per share * Southern Platinum acquisition expected to complete by 1 July 2005, providing: * Long term growth potential from realisation of Messina resource base * Substantial synergy benefits particularly through improved smelter recoveries * Earnings enhancing from 2007 Financial highlights - continuing operations 2005 2004 Six months to 31 March Turnover $421m $444m EBITDA (i) $177m $155m EBIT (ii) $152m $128m Profit before taxation $142m $117m Earnings per share 48.7c 26.2c Underlying earnings per share 48.7c 39.7c (iii) Interim dividend per share (iv) 30.0c 30.0c Net borrowings $473m $277m Interest cover (v) 32.3x 21.4x NOTES ON HIGHLIGHTS (i) EBITDA is Group operating profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. (ii) EBIT is total operating profit. (iii) Underlying earnings per share are calculated on attributable profit excluding exchange, the effects of a change in the South African tax rate on the opening deferred tax balance and exceptional items (prior period only) as disclosed in note 7. (iv) The interim dividend will be paid on 5 August 2005 to shareholders on the registers on 8 July 2005. (v) Interest cover is calculated for the 12 month periods to 31 March 2005 and 31 March 2004. Commenting on the results, Brad Mills, Chief Executive Officer said: "I am pleased with the progress we have made, as shown by these results, in overcoming the financial impact of the smelter accident. Our production and costs are both improving, in order to manage our cost efficiencies, we have decided to reduce the amount of higher cost open cast Merensky ore processed in the second half. We therefore expect Platinum production for the year to 30 September 2005 to be between 905,000 and 925,000 ounces without any benefit from Southern Platinum. Our full year cost guidance remains at R2,475 per PGM ounce sold. Our longer term growth plans remain on track and are enhanced by our Southern Platinum acquisition." Enquiries: Alex Shorland-Ball, Lonmin Plc +44 (0) 20 7201 6060 Anthony Cardew/ Nadja Vetter, CardewGroup: +44 (0)20 7930 0777 This press release is available on www.lonmin.com. A live webcast of the interim results" presentation starting at 09.30hrs (London) on 4 May 2005 can be accessed through the Lonmin website. There will also be a web question facility available during the presentation. An archived version of the presentation, together with the presentation slides, will be available on the Lonmin website. Chief Executive Officer"s Comments Introduction The first six months of the 2005 financial year were challenging for Lonmin. We experienced an accident at our smelting facility on 18 November 2004, which resulted in the loss of nine weeks of metal production. Repairs have been completed and the smelter came back on line on 20 January 2005. The final cost of the smelter accident and repairs is $14 million (including the costs of running the Pyromet furnaces and toll refining), of which $9 million has been expensed in the first half. These costs were offset by insurance settlements during the first half from prior outstanding claims of $22 million. On 22 March 2005 we made a cash offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Southern Platinum Corp. for $190 million. This transaction will add substantially to our future Platinum growth potential and is expected to close by 1 July 2005, subject to approval by Southern Platinum shareholders and the South African Competition Commission. Key Accomplishments * Recovery from the smelter accident and minimising cost and production impacts for the full year. * Platinum production of 366,781 ounces. Total PGM production of 666,303 ounces. Cost per PGM ounce sold of R2,431 achieved in the first half (excluding any benefit of insurance settlements) in line with full year guidance of R2,475. * Filing of our new order mining rights conversion application on 14 December 2004. * Offer to acquire Southern Platinum on 22 March 2005. * Sudbury PGM Exploration JV with Inco signed. Financial Results The key financial results for the period were: * A 19% growth in EBIT to $152 million (including insurance recoveries and metallurgical recoveries); * A 23% increase in underlying earnings per share from 39.7 cents in 2004 to 48.7 cents in 2005, despite the smelter accident; * A maintained interim dividend; and * Cash outflow in the period on working capital which is expected to be reversed in the second half. Platinum Operations Our safety performance improved significantly during the first half of the fiscal 2005 year compared to last year. We suffered one industrial related fatality and deeply regret that two children drowned in one of our unfenced mine reclaim water ponds during the period. This result compares to eight industrial fatalities for the whole of last year. We remain deeply committed to our goal of "Zero Harm" in our mining operations in South Africa. We currently have a major programme underway to reduce all lost time injuries in our operations. Mining operations produced 5,427,000 tonnes milled (5,405,000 tonnes mined) from underground operations and 1,480,000 tonnes milled (1,244,000 tonnes mined) from open cast operations. These raw ore tonnes were converted to 66,852 tonnes of concentrate (62,248 tonnes of concentrate despatched) containing 22,810 kgm of PGMs. This was in line with budget expectations. Metallurgical operations produced 366,781 ounces of Platinum and 666,303 ounces of total PGMs. We have made significant progress with our mechanisation and automation projects during the period. Our fully mechanised ULP (Ultra Low Profile) Merensky mining site has successfully achieved its target of 12,000 tonnes per month per set of equipment at a total mining cost of less than R230 per tonne. We are now committed to rolling out this mining method with an additional two sets of equipment at the Karee mine, which will ramp up to 37,000 tonnes per month Merensky ore production by year-end and ultimately to 70,000 tonnes per month by mid-2006 at an expected cost of less than R190 per tonne, as compared to current average traditional mining method costs of around R200 per tonne. Plans are also in an advanced stage to expand this mining method into the UG2 reef at Karee mine and other potential sites across the property. Our capital growth programme to increase production to 1.1 million ounces of Platinum by 2010 (without any benefit from Southern Platinum) remains on schedule and on budget (in Rand terms). The $72 million Hossy shaft complex is the most advanced of the three major capital projects being undertaken. Expenditure is 64% complete and we continue to expect full production during 2008. The Hossy Vertical is complete with the Sub Incline at 20% completion. Costs The metallurgical recovery rates assumed in the Base Metal Refinery and Precious Metal Refinery have been conservatively estimated in the past and as a result of actual outturns we have now increased the ongoing achievable recoveries. The reported unit costs of R2,431 per PGM ounce sold include the effects of $9 million of smelter incident costs, $3 million redundancy costs and an $11 million benefit arising from the spreading of a $29 million improvement in metallurgical recoveries over the overall anticipated sales for the year. No benefit has been taken in these unit costs for the insurance proceeds of $22 million. Due to the cost profile of the open cast operations, we have elected to accelerate the switch in production sources from lower grade, higher cost open cast ounces to higher grade, lower cost underground ounces. This transition will help ensure that we meet our long-term production ramp up profile while helping keep costs in check. In the second half we will lower the proportion of open cast Merensky ore processed. As a result of this we now estimate that overall production for the year will be between 905,000 and 925,000 ounces of Platinum and our cost guidance for the year remains unchanged at R2,475 per PGM ounce sold. Our Six Sigma programme has identified significant saving opportunities and we expect to capture R70 million of net EBIT benefits in the second half of the year. We are currently working on the introduction of a central shared services function. This will replace duplicated technical and administrative infrastructure at our mines and shafts and is anticipated to result in further cost savings. Working Capital Due to the smelter accident in November we experienced a cash outflow on working capital in the period as stocks built up ahead of the smelter. We expect this outflow to be reversed in the second half. Exploration Our exploration group completed a joint venture agreement with Inco Limited during the period to explore for PGM deposits adjacent to some of their historically important nickel properties in the geologically prolific Sudbury Basin. Black Economic Empowerment We made good progress on all fronts of our BEE effort in the first half, submitting our new order mining licence conversion application in December 2004. We currently hope to receive approval of this application before the end of 2005. Our BEE partner, Incwala, has performed well during the period and has provided valuable support and guidance for our mining licence application and BEE programme. Markets PGM prices have been well supported in the period under review both by sound underlying auto catalyst demand and industrial demand for the full suite of commodities. The supply outlook has been restrained by the current low Rand basket value of metals. Southern Platinum We have made a $190 million offer for Southern Platinum, a Canadian listed group with platinum mining operations at Messina in South Africa. Southern Platinum has PGM resources of 20 million ounces, over a strike length of 23 kilometres, and will boost Lonmin"s current resource base by 17%. Messina currently produces around 45,000 ounces of Platinum a year from a strike length of just 4 kilometres. Our initial plan is to increase Platinum production to 75,000 ounces by 2007. Exciting potential exists to exploit the larger untapped resource on the remaining strike length of the property. We will start developing plans for the realisation of this once the acquisition closes. In addition to its growth potential, Messina also offers considerable synergy benefits. Smelting the base metal rich Messina ore with our existing high chrome ores is expected to improve overall smelter recoveries by around 2%. Although the Messina operations are currently operating at a loss, we believe that a successful mine turnaround, plus anticipated smelter benefits, will enhance earnings from 2007 onwards. Outlook and Dividend We expect our markets to remain strong during the second half of our fiscal year. We are making significant progress in our discussions with the Unions on a new long-term labour agreement, which is intended to allow us to achieve longer-term operational stability. As a result we will be able to increase our focus on safety, growth and cost management. Our acquisition of Southern Platinum, when completed, together with the organic growth at our existing operations, will enable us to target 1.1 million ounces of Platinum production by 2008. Growth beyond 2008 will be supported by organic growth from our core Lonplats operations and Messina. The Board has maintained the interim dividend at 30.0 cents per share. A number of important appointments have been made in the last six months. Karen de Segundo (formerly of Shell) has joined our Board in a non-executive position. Alistair Ross (formerly of Inco) has accepted the role of President, Platinum Operations in South Africa. Alex Shorland-Ball (formerly of Finsbury Group) has joined us in the role of Vice-President Investor Relations and Communications and Khumo Seopela (formerly of De Beers) has joined us as Vice-President Human Capital in South Africa. I would like to welcome all of them to Lonmin. Lonmin is in the process of transforming itself into a world class mining company benchmarking itself against the `best of breed" on measures such as safety performance, operational efficiency, capital returns and human productivity. This process is never easy and I would like to thank all of Lonmin"s employees, contractors and community members who are supporting this effort. I would especially like to thank all of the employees and contractors at the smelter. Your professionalism in managing the impact of the smelter accident and minimising the damage and financial costs of this incident is most appreciated. Bradford A Mills Chief Executive Officer Commentary on the Group Financial Review The financial information presented has been prepared on the same basis and using the same accounting policies as those used to prepare the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2004. Analysis of results Profit and loss account A comparison of the interim 2005 EBIT from continuing operations with the prior period is set out below: $m EBIT - six months to 31 March 2004 128 Increase in sales prices 42 Decrease in sales volumes (22) Insurance receipts 22 Smelting incident costs (9) Incwala 4 Exchange (21) Improved recoveries 29 Other cost increases (21) EBIT - six months to 31 March 2005 152 Prices, costs and exchange The average price realised for the basket of metals sold at $18,889/kg was 15% higher than the prior period. Sales volumes of PGMs decreased from 793,526 ounces to 671,591 ounces due to the smelter incident in November 2004 and turnover amounted to $421 million for the six months to 31 March 2005. Unit costs in rand at R2,431 per PGM ounce sold were only 3.5% higher than the prior period. The improved recoveries reflected an improvement in underlying metallurgical recoveries which led to an increase in the 2004 year-end stock valuation. The strength of the South African rand against the US dollar impacted on costs in dollar terms with the average exchange rate appreciating 9% on the prior period. The investment in Platinum Australia was sold on 31 March 2005 for book value with no material profit impact. The resulting EBIT, which included $4 million for our 23.56% share of Incwala"s operating profits, amounted to $152 million. Profit before taxation for the 2005 interim period amounted to $142 million compared with $117 million for the 2004 interim period. Interest Net interest payable and similar items were $10 million compared with $11 million in 2004. Borrowing levels were higher during the 2005 interim period resulting in higher interest payable but this was offset by lower amortisation charges on bank loan facilities and lower exchange losses due to the majority of borrowings being held in US dollars. Tax The 2005 interim tax charge was $57 million compared with $65 million in the prior period and included $11 million of exchange losses (March 2004 - $30 million). The corporate tax rate in South Africa was reduced to 29% during the period and was applicable to taxable results from 1 October 2004. The change in tax rate resulted in an adjustment to the opening deferred tax balance at 1 October 2004 to reduce it by $11 million. The effective tax rate, excluding the effects of exchange, the adjustment to the opening deferred tax balance and exceptional items (prior period only) was 40% compared with 33% during the last interim period due to the significantly higher incidence of STC in 2005 than the same period in 2004. Net profit Profit for the 2005 interim period rose to $69 million from $37 million in the prior period and included minority deductions at 18% of the platinum operations results after tax compared with 27% in the prior period. Basic earnings per share were 48.7 cents for the six months to 31 March 2005 compared with 26.2 cents in the prior period. Underlying earnings per share, being earnings excluding exchange on tax balances, the adjustment to the opening deferred tax balance as a result of a change in the South African corporate tax rate and exceptional items (prior period only) amounted to 48.7 cents (March 2004 - 39.7 cents), an increase of 23%. On 30 September 2004 the Group increased its effective holding in its underlying platinum assets from 73% to 82% at a cost of $311 million. In addition it invested $90 million in 23.56% of Incwala Resources and advanced $34 million of loans to HDSA and seed capital investors in Incwala Resources. The effects of these acquisitions in the first half of 2005 have been to improve reported earnings per share by 3 cents. Balance sheet Equity interests were $771 million at 31 March 2005 compared with $744 million at 30 September 2004 mainly reflecting the profit of $69 million earned during the period offset by the 2005 interim dividend declared of $43 million. Stock levels were $177 million at the March 2005 balance sheet date compared with $81 million at the September 2004 balance sheet date due to stock build-up following the smelter incident in November 2004. Net borrowings amounted to $473 million at 31 March 2005 and gearing was 36% compared with 27% at 30 September 2004 and 31 March 2004, calculated on net borrowings attributable to the Group divided by these attributable net borrowings and the equity interests outstanding at the relevant balance sheet dates. Cash flow The following table summarises the main components of the cash flow during the period: March March
2005 2004 $m $m Operating profit - Group 148 129 Working capital (132) (3) Other items (mainly depreciation) 27 35 Net cash inflow from operating activities 43 161 Interest and finance costs (8) (9) Tax (57) (49) Trading cash flow (22) 103 Capital expenditure (87) (85) Associate dividend received 2 - Minority dividends paid (21) (34) Free cash flow (128) (16) Acquisitions (10) (6) Shares issued - 4 Equity dividends paid (59) (59) Cash outflow (197) (77) Opening net borrowings (275) (197) Exchange (1) (3) Closing net borrowings (473) (277) Trading cash flow per share (15.5)c 72.9c Free cash flow per share (90.4)c (11.3)c Net cash inflow from operating activities was $43 million during the six months to 31 March 2005 and included an outflow on working capital of $132 million due to stock build-up and settlement of 2004 year-end creditors. After interest and finance costs paid of $8 million and tax payments of $57 million, trading cash flow amounted to an outflow of $22 million against an inflow of $103 million in the prior period. Trading cash flow per share amounted to (15.5) cents for the 2005 interim period compared with 72.9 cents in the 2004 interim period. Capital expenditure of $87 million was similar to the prior period in dollar terms but reduced in rand terms by 10%. Associate and minority dividends in 2005 represented dividends received and paid to Incwala and free cash flow amounted to an outflow of $128 million. Free cash flow per share was (90.4) cents (March 2004 - (11.3) cents). Acquisitions represented expenses incurred on the Incwala and Eastern and Western Platinum transactions that completed on 30 September 2004. After accounting for equity dividends paid of $59 million, the cash outflow was $197 million and net borrowings amounted to $473 million at 31 March 2005. It is expected that the significant cash outflow on working capital will reverse in the second half of the financial year as the smelter processes the backlog of concentrate built up during the first six months. Dividend The Board has declared an interim dividend of 30.0 cents per share (March 2004 - 30.0 cents per share). This represents a cover of 1.6 times on earnings (March 2004 - 0.9 times). On an underlying earnings basis, this represents a cover of 1.6 times compared with 1.3 times in 2004. International financial reporting standards (IFRS) All European listed companies are required to prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005. Consequently, the Group will be implementing IFRS from 1 October 2005. The first financial information to be reported by the Group in accordance with IFRS will be for the six months ending 31 March 2006 but the requirement to present comparative information means that a balance sheet as at 30 September 2004 and primary statements for the six months to 31 March 2005 and the year to 30 September 2005, prepared in accordance with IFRS, will also be required. The Group will continue to report its consolidated financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP for the year to 30 September 2005. The Group has undertaken a preliminary assessment of the impact of IFRS on its accounting policies and published financial statements and a detailed impact study is continuing. Based on the work carried out to date, the following areas could impact on the Group"s financial statements: Post retirement benefits Under UK GAAP, the Group accounts for defined benefit pension schemes in accordance with SSAP 24 - Accounting for pension costs. Surpluses or deficits are spread on a straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service lives of employees in the scheme. Under IAS 19 - Employee benefits (amended December 2004), there are three alternative ways in which surpluses or deficits can be recognised. It is likely that the Group will choose to recognise surpluses or deficits directly in shareholders" funds through the statement of recognised income and expense. This treatment is similar to FRS 17 - Retirement benefits. The Group currently reports the effects of FRS 17 in the notes to the annual financial statements. Share-based payments Under UK GAAP, the cost of share options is based on the intrinsic value of the award, being the difference between the exercise price and the grant price. Hence, options granted to employees at market price or under Inland Revenue approved SAYE schemes do not generate an expense. Under IFRS 2 - Share-based payments, the economic cost of all share-based payments granted since 7 November 2002 is to be recognised by reference to the fair value on the grant date using options pricing models and charged to the income statement over the expected vesting period. Proposed dividends Under UK GAAP, proposed dividends are accrued for as an adjusting post balance sheet event in the period to which they relate in accordance with SSAP 17 - Accounting for post balance sheet events. Under IAS 10 - Events after the balance sheet date, dividends that do not represent a present obligation at the reporting date are not accrued for in the balance sheet. Instead, they are recognised in the accounting period in which they are declared. Financial instruments The IFRS requirements for financial instruments are included in IAS 32 - Financial instruments: disclosure and presentation and IAS 39 - Financial instruments: recognition and measurement. Financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value or amortised cost and foreign currency borrowings and derivative contracts are designated as hedges of specific assets, liabilities, income and/or expenses. The convertible bonds contain an embedded derivative in the form of a conversion right, which the Company can settle in cash. The debt and embedded derivative elements are separated and the amount relating to the embedded derivative is subject to fair value accounting under IFRS. This may introduce some material volatility to reported earnings but will have no impact on cashflow. The above summary is not intended to be a complete list of areas. Further differences may arise as a result of the Group"s continued detailed assessment and interpretations of IFRS and any further pronouncements issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). John Robinson Chief Financial Officer Platinum Operating Statistics March March 2005 2004 Mining Tonnes milled - underground (000) 5,427 5,646 (excluding slag) - opencast (000) 1,480 1,582 - total (000) 6,907 7,228
Tonnes mined - underground (000) 5,405 5,617 - opencast (000) 1,244 1,158 - total (000) 6,649 6,775 Metallurgy Noble metals in matte (kg) 22,810 26,161 Refined production of - platinum (oz) 366,78 402,877 1 1 - palladium (oz) 157,05 176,245
8 - rhodium (oz) 35,253 46,660 - total PGMs (oz) 666,30 729,474 3
Sales1 - platinum (oz) 365,65 412,533 3 - palladium (oz) 152,72 181,682
5 - rhodium (oz) 39,330 59,039 - total PGMs (oz) 671,59 793,526 1
Prices Average price - platinum (R) 5,000 5,358 received per ounce ($) 842 811
- palladium (R) 1,170 1,485 ($) 196 227 - rhodium (R) 7,855 3,488 ($) 1,320 531
Basket price of PGMs and base metals ($/kg) 18,889 16,387 Costs Cash cost per refined ounce of PGM sold (R) 2,433 2,366 (incl royalties) ($) 409 343 Cash cost per refined ounce of PGM sold (R) 2,431 2,348 (excl royalties) ($) 409 340
Cash cost per refined - underground (R) 2,421 2,555 ounce of PGM produced ($) 409 392 (excl royalties) - opencast (R) 2,612 1,934 ($) 441 297 - total (R) 2,452 2,423 ($) 415 372
Capital Expenditure (R 510 567 million s) ($ 87 85
million s) Exchange rates Average exchange - Sterling (GBP/$) 0.53 0.56 rates - S A Rand (R/$) 5.94 6.51 Closing exchange - Sterling (GBP/$) 0.53 0.55 rates - S A Rand (R/$) 6.22 6.31 Consolidated profit and loss account 6 months to 6 months to 31 March 31 March
2005 2004 $m $m Turnover 421 444 EBITDA (ii) 177 155 Depreciation (29) (26) Operating profit/(loss) Group 148 129 Associates 4 (1) Total operating profit 152 128 Net interest payable Group (9) (11) and similar items Associate (1) - Profit before taxation 142 117 Taxation (iii) (57) (65) Profit after taxation 85 52 Equity minority (16) (15) interest Profit for the period 69 37 Interim dividend (43) (42) Retained profit/(loss) 26 (5) for the period Earnings per share 48.7c 26.2c Underlying earnings per 48.7c 39.7c share (iv) Diluted earnings per 48.5c 25.6c share Interim dividend per 30.0c 30.0c share Financial ratios Tax rate (v) 40% 33% Net debt to EBITDA (vi) 1.2 times 0.8 times Interest cover (vii) 32.3 times 21.4 times Notes: (i) The results for both periods relate to continuing operations. (ii) EBITDA is Group operating profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. (iii) The taxation charge includes exchange losses of $11 million (March 2004 - $30 million) as disclosed in note 5. (iv) Underlying earnings per share are calculated on profit for the period excluding exchange, the effect of a change in the South African tax rate on the opening deferred tax balance and exceptional items (prior period only) as disclosed in note 7. (v) The tax rate has been calculated excluding exchange, the effect of a change in the South African tax rate on the opening deferred tax balance and exceptional items (prior period only) as disclosed in note 5. (vi) EBITDAs used in this calculation are for the 12 month periods to 31 March 2005 and 31 March 2004. (vii) Interest cover is calculated for the 12 month periods to 31 March 2005 and 31 March 2004. Consolidated balance sheet As at As at As at 31 March 30 31 March 2005 September 2004 $m 2004 $m
$m Fixed assets Tangible assets 1,430 1,370 1,042 Investments: 132 133 288 Associates Other investments 91 90 3 41 43 285
Total fixed assets 1,562 1,503 1,330 Current assets Stocks 177 81 128 Debtors 128 124 132 Investments 5 5 3 Cash and short-term deposits 10 20 68 Total current assets 320 230 331 Creditors: amounts falling due (324) (217) (281) within one year Current loans and overdrafts (209) (23) (129) Other (115) (194) (152) Net current (liabilities)/assets (4) 13 50 Total assets less current liabilities 1,558 1,516 1,380 Creditors: amounts falling due (272) (268) (212) after more than one year Convertible debt (213) (212) (212) Other loans (58) (56) - Other (1) - - Provisions for liabilities and (369) (353) (326) charges 917 895 842 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 142 142 141 Reserves 629 602 503 Equity shareholders" funds 771 744 644 Equity minority interest 146 151 198 917 895 842 Net borrowings 473 275 277 Note: Statutory Disclosure The balance sheet at 30 September 2004 is taken from, but does not constitute, the Company"s statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2004. Accounts for that year have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors made an unqualified report thereon and such report did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. Consolidated cash flow statement 6 months 6 months
to to 31 March 31 March 2005 2004 $m $m
Net cash inflow from operating 43 161 activities 2 - Dividend received from associate (29) (43) Returns on investment and servicing of finance Net interest paid (8) (6) Finance expenses - (3) Dividends paid to minority (21) (34) Taxation (57) (49) Capital expenditure and financial (87) (85) investment (10) (6) Acquisitions and disposals (59) (59)
Equity dividends paid Net cash outflow before financing (197) (81) Financing 1 3 Short-term loans (1) (1) Long-term loans 2 - Issue of share capital - 4 Decrease in cash in the period (196) (78) Reconciliation of Group operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities: Operating profit - Group 148 129 Depreciation charge 29 26 Increase in working capital (132) (3) Other items (2) 9 Net cash inflow from operating activities 43 161 Note: The cash flows for both periods relate to continuing operations. Statement of total consolidated recognised gains and losses 6 months 6 months to to 31 March 31 March 2005 2004
$m $m Profit/(loss) for the period - Group 66 38 - Associate 3 (1) Total consolidated recognised gains and losses 69 37 relating to the period Reconciliation of movement in equity shareholders" funds 6 months 6 months to to
31 March 31 March 2005 2004 $m $m Total consolidated recognised gains and losses 69 37 relating to the period (43) (42) Interim dividend Retained profit/(loss) for the period 26 (5) Amortisation of share-based payments 1 - Shares issued on the exercise of share options - 4 Net increase/(decrease) in equity shareholders" 27 (1) funds in the period 744 645 Equity shareholders" funds at 1 October Equity shareholders" funds at 31 March 771 644 1. Basis of preparation The interim accounts have been prepared on the same basis and using the same accounting policies as those used to prepare the financial statements of the Lonmin Group for the year ended 30 September 2004. 2. Segmental analysis By business origin: 6 months to 31 March 2005
Total Profit Net operatin before operatin Turnove EBITDA g tax g r $m profit $m assets
$m $m $m Platinum 421 191 166 161 1,392 Exploration - (3) (3) (3) - Other - 1 1 1 - Corporate - (12) (12) (17) 6 421 177 152 142 1,398 South Africa 421 183 158 153 1,389 Other - 6 6 6 3 Corporate - (12) (12) (17) 6 421 177 152 142 1,398 6 months to 31 March 2004 Total Profit Net
operatin before operatin Turnove EBITDA g tax g r $m profit $m assets $m $m $m
Platinum 444 166 141 134 869 Gold - - - - 277 Exploration - (2) (3) (3) 3 Other - (1) (1) (1) - Corporate - (8) (9) (13) 12 444 155 128 117 1,161 South Africa 444 158 133 126 866 Ghana - - - - 277 Other - 5 4 4 6 Corporate - (8) (9) (13) 12 444 155 128 117 1,161 A reconciliation of net operating assets to net assets per the balance sheet is as follows: As at As at 31 March 31 March 2005 2004
$m $m Net operating assets per above 1,398 1,161 Loans receivable 35 - Net borrowings (473) (277) Interim dividend proposed (43) (42) Net assets per balance sheet 917 842 3. Net interest and similar items 6 months 6 months
to to 31 March 31 March 2005 2004 $m $m
Net financing - Group 8 8 costs payable - Associate 1 - Exchange differences on net borrowings 1 3 Net interest payable and similar items 10 11 4. Exceptional items 6 months 6 months to to 31 March 31 March
2005 2004 $m $m Sale of Brakspruit mineral rights: Taxation - 4 Minority interest - (1) Net exceptional profit - 3 The exceptional tax credit in the 6 months to 31 March 2004 represented the closing US dollar value of South African tax over-provided in 2003 on the disposal of the Brakspruit mineral rights. 5. Taxation 6 months 6 months to to
31 March 31 March 2005 2004 $m $m United Kingdom: Corporation tax at 30% (March 2004 - 30%) 42 12 Double tax relief (42) (12) - - Overseas: Current taxation 43 25 Excluding tax on local currency exchange profits at 31 18 29% (March 2004 - 30%) (1) - Tax on local currency exchange profits 14 5 Tax on dividends remitted (1) 2 Exchange on current taxation Deferred taxation 14 47 Origination and reversal of timing differences 12 19 Change in South African corporate tax rate to 29% (11) - (March 2004 - 30%) 13 28 Exchange on deferred taxation Prior year items - (7) Exceptional - (4) Other - (3) Tax charge 57 65 Tax charge excluding exceptional items, tax rate 57 39 adjustment and exchange Effective tax rate excluding exceptional items, tax 40% 33% rate adjustment and exchange 6. Dividend An interim dividend of 30.0 cents per share (30.0 cents per share for the six months to 31 March 2004) will be paid on 5 August 2005 to shareholders on the registers at the close of business on 8 July 2005. 7. Earnings per share The calculation of earnings per share is based on a weighted average number of 141,625,478 ordinary shares in issue for the six months to 31 March 2005 (141,242,151 ordinary shares in issue for the six months to 31 March 2004). Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue adjusted by dilutive outstanding share options and shares issuable on conversion of the convertible bonds during the period as follows: 6 months to 31 March 2005 6 months to 31 March
2004 Profit Number Per Profit Number Per for of share for of share the shares amount the shares amount
period cents period cents $m $m Basic EPS 69 141,625, 48.7 37 141,242, 26.2 Share option - 478 (0.1) - 151 (0.1) schemes 5 249,745 (0.1) 2 618,316 (0.5) Convertible bonds 10,576,9 10,576,9 93 93 Diluted EPS 74 152,452, 48.5 39 152,437, 25.6 216 460 Underlying earnings per share are based on the profit for the period adjusted to exclude exchange, the effect of a change in the South African tax rate on the opening deferred tax balance and exceptional items (prior period only) as follows: 6 months to 31 March 2005 6 months to 31 March 2004 Profit Number Per Profit Number Per
for of share for of share the shares amount the shares amount period cents period cents $m $m
Basic EPS 69 141,625, 48.7 37 141,242, 26.2 Taxation on - 478 - (4) 151 (2.8) exceptional items - - Tax rate change - (11) (7.8) - - effect on opening 11 - 7.8 30 - 21.3 deferred tax balance - - - (7) - (5.0) Exchange on tax - - balances Minority interest Underlying EPS 69 141,625, 48.7 56 141,242, 39.7 478 151 Analysis of net borrowings As at As at 1 October Exchange 31 March 2004 Cash flow movements 2005 $m $m $m $m
Cash 20 (10) - 10 Overdrafts (22) (186) (1) (209) (2) 196) (1) (199) Convertible bonds (216) - - (216) Loans due after one year (56) (2) - (58) Loans due within one Year (1) 1 - - Net borrowings (275) (197) (1) (473) _______________________________ Note: 1. These statistics exclude sales of slag. Date: 04/05/2005 08:16:29 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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