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Rockwell records higher grades and increased sales in Q2 off the back of the Remhoogte Holsloot Complex acquisition
Rockwell Diamonds Inc.
(A company incorporated in accordance with the laws of British Columbia, Canada)
(Incorporation number BCO354545)
(South African registration number: 2007/031582/10)
Share code on the JSE Limited: RDI
ISIN: CA77434W2022 Share code on the TSXV: RDI
CUSIP Number: 77434W103
Rockwell records higher grades and increased sales in Q2 off the back of the Remhoogte Holsloot
Complex acquisition
__________________________________________________________________________________________
September 21, 2015, Vancouver, BC – Rockwell Diamonds Inc. ("Rockwell" or the "Company") (TSX: RDI; JSE:
RDI) announces its quarterly production and sales update for the three months ended August 31, 2015:
Currency values are presented in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Salient features
- Strategy - Rockwell is making progress in rebuilding its Middle Orange River (“MOR”) footprint following the
acquisition of the Remhoogte - Holsloot Complex (“RHC”) assets and expediting exploration work on its
development projects at Lanyonvale and Wouterspan.
- Volumes - gravel processed were 15% down year-on-year, chiefly due to the closure of Niewejaarskraal
(“NJK”). Production volumes at RHC were ahead of plan. Saxendrift processed lower volumes than last
quarter because of the feed being mostly denser Rooikoppie gravels, and the closure of Saxendrift Hill
Complex (“SHC”) in December 2014.
- Grade - Saxendrift posted a grade increase of 58% year-on-year, offsetting the lower Rooikoppie volumes
processed. RHC, which was acquired on May 28, 2015, recorded grade of 0.9 cphm3 with all three
processing plants now in operation, as expected in the acquisition diligence.
- Carat sales - up 40% year-on-year to 5,331 carats, and the value of these goods also increased by 6% to
US$9.5 million (excluding beneficiation). Total sales (including contractor production but excluding
beneficiation) were down 28% to US$9.6 million due to the sale of Tirisano at the end of March.
- Average carat price - down 24% from Company-owned properties, to US$1,791 per carat reflecting general
market weakness, and sub threshold processing for the recovery of larger stones at RHC.
- Rough diamond inventory - 730 carats (including the remaining royalty contract miners’ inventory) carried
over into third quarter of fiscal 2016.
- Equity financing - was suspended on August 24, 2015, due to the downturn in global commodity and equity
markets. The existing acquisition debt of $16.5M will remain in place for the immediate future, resulting in
operating cash flows from diamond sales being used to service and repay debt, and this will have an impact
on the progress of development projects. To date, $3.8M of acquisition and convertible debt has been repaid
since May, 2015. Shareholders’ are to vote at a meeting to be held on September 23, 2015 to approve issue
of up to 31.8 million three year warrants in settlement of the bridging loan, in the absence of having raised
sufficient equity to settle the loans.
Safety and Operations
Rockwell experienced a fatality at its newly acquired Remhoogte plant on September 3, 2015. The Company
responded with the immediate cession of operations on both the Remhoogte and Holsloot properties. A full
investigation has been undertaken by the Department of Mineral Resources as well as the Company; two of the
three plants are now back in operation following comprehensive reviews of safety procedures. Up to this time,
Rockwell had achieved 3,074 fatality free hours on its operations, and the Company continues to strive for zero
harm on all of its operations.
Commenting on second quarter production and sales James Campbell, CEO and President said:
“It is with regret that we have to share the news of a fatality at one of our operations this past quarter and I extend
our condolences to the deceased’s family. We continue to provide his family with support as is our custom in
situations like this and remain committed to our goal of achieving zero harm to our employees.
“In Q2, we bedded down the RHC acquisition with all three processing plants going on stream at an initial rate of
90,000m3 per month, before increasing to 130,000m3 by quarter end. This was ahead of our volume and carat
production targets. The plan is to expand throughput volumes to 200,000m3 with additional in-field screening
capacity. We met our planned grade of 0.9 cphm3, producing 3,405 carats, including three +50 carat stones. The
average RHC price realization of US$1,371 per carat was below our long-term anticipated value, though this is
within the statistical variation for volumes processed to date and reflects current pressure on global rough
diamond prices. In the first week of September, RHC prices achieved rebounded to expected levels of ~$2,200.
“Saxendrift outperformed our Q2 volume and carat production targets, mining at a grade of 0.49 cphm3. Our lower
planned monthly throughput of 130,000m3 was due to the processing higher density Rooikoppie material and the
impact of closure of SHC. We are closely monitoring Saxendrift’s profitability as it approaches the end of its
economic life. Recently identified buried middlings should allow us to operate profitably until we deliver a
replacement project using existing equipment and employees. This is most likely to be at Wouterspan where a
study to reopen the property is well advanced.
“During Q2 we also focused on refinancing the bridging loans from our key shareholders that allowed us to close
the acquisition. The downturn in global commodity markets delayed our efforts to raise equity financing and we
are exploring alternative equity financing to fund our immediate and future development requirements. In the
meantime, we used cash flows from diamond sales and beneficiation to pay down $3.8 million of debt in three
months.”
PRODUCTION REVIEW
Volume and carat production for total Company owned properties to August 31, 2015 were as follows:
Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 % Change Q1 F2016 F2015
Volumes processed (000m3) 838 1,467 (43) 790 5,382
Carats produced (carats) 5,613 9,581 (41) 4,655 35,717
Grade (carats/100m3) 0.67 0.65 3 0.59 0.66
Additional information: Refer to Appendix 1: Detailed production data
- Volumes of gravel processed were down 43% from the prior year. This is due to the suspension of
operations at NJK, the lower processing volumes of higher density, higher grade, Rooikoppie material, the
closure of SHC at the end of 2014 and, and the impact of the disposal of Tirisano. These impacts were
partially offset by production from RHC, included for the three months subsequent to closing the acquisition
on May 28, 2015.
- Improved grades at Saxendrift combined with the higher-grade RHC operation resulted in a 74%
improvement in grades at the Company’s MOR operations.
- Saxendrift: The volume of gravel processed was down 38%, mainly due to processing higher density
Rooikoppie material, thereby reducing the monthly production budget to 130,000m3. The closure of SHC in
December 2014 also reduced total volumes. Grades improved to 0.49 cphm3 (carats per 100 m3), which was
44% up on last year. The higher grade partially offset the lower volumes processed, with the plant reflecting a
12% decrease in carats produced to 2,168 carats. Whilst this operation is reaching the end of its economic
life, ongoing exploration has identified additional material, which will enable the extension of mining
operations in the short term. Notable stones recovered during the quarter included 15 stones exceeding 20
carats with four in the 50 to 100 carat range.
- RHC: The first three months’ production were on plan with all three processing plants in operation by the end
of Q2. Production was ramped up from 90,000m3 per month in June 2015 to 130,000m3 by the end the end
of the quarter, in line with expectations. The RHC grade was also on plan at 0.9 cphm3 and a total of 3,405
carats were recovered, including 50 stones in the 10 to 20 carat range and 18 +20 carat stones with the
largest weighing 52.4 carats; 50.3 carats and 56.1 carats respectively.
- Royalty contractor mining: A small scale royalty mining contractor processing Wouterspan recovery tailings
produced 40 carats in Q2.
SALES REVIEW
Diamond sales for total Company owned-properties to August 31, 2015 were as follows:
Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 % Change Q1 F2016 F2015
Sales value (US$000’s) 9,558 13,197 (28) 6,687 50,795
Carats sold 5,359 8,866 (40) 4,671 37,769
Average price 1,783 1,489 20 1,432 1,345
Additional information: Refer to Appendix 1: Detailed sales data
- Saxendrift: Diamond sales declined 14% to US$4.2 million, commensurate with lower Q2 production. A total
of 2,279 carats were sold, down 12% year on year, corresponding to an average value per carat of US$2,354;
down 2% year on year and in line with softer diamond prices across most categories.
- RHC: Diamond sales amounted to US$5.2 million for the quarter from the sale of 3,052 carats. The recorded
average value per carat of US$1,371 was lower than historical values due to a combination of the processing
of sub-threshold volumes for the recovery of larger diamonds as well as lower global diamond prices.
Appendix 1: Volumes and carat production for the Company’s owned mines and its royalty mining contractors for
the three months ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:
Volume mined Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 Change Q1 2016 F2015
Saxendrift Complex 474 724 -35% 749 3,228
RHC 355 - 0% - -
NJK - 234 -100% 104 1,499
Total 829 958 -13% 853 4,727
Contractors - - 0% - -
Grand total 829 958 -13% 853 4,727
Volume processed Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 Change Q1 2016 F2015
Saxendrift Complex 446 725 -38% 536 2,558
RHC 377 - 0% 3 -
NJK - 239 -100% 63 984
Total 823 964 -15% 602 3,542
Contractors 15 503 -97% 188 1,840
Grand total 838 1,467 -43% 790 5,382
Carats produced Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 Change Q1 2016 F2015
Saxendrift Complex 2,168 2,469 -12% 2,556 10,442
RHC 3,405 - - 41 -
NJK - 1,295 -100% 431 4,978
Total 5,573 3,764 48% 3,028 15,420
Contractors 40 5,817 0% 1,627 20,297
Grand total 5,613 9,581 -41% 4,655 35,717
Grade Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 Change Q1 2016 F2015
Saxendrift Complex 0.49 0.34 44% 0.48 0.41
RHC 0.90 - 0% 1.51 -
NJK - 0.54 -100% 0.69 0.51
Total 0.68 0.39 74% 0.50 0.44
Contractors 0.28 1.16 -76% 0.82 1.08
Grand total 0.67 0.65 3% 0.59 0.66
Appendix 2: Sales for each of the Company’s own mines and its royalty mining contractors for the three months
ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:
Carats sold Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 Change Q1 2016 F2015
Saxendrift Complex 2,279 2,604 -12% 2,383 11,526
RHC 3,052 - 0% - -
NJK - 1,206 -100% 685 4,958
Total 5,331 3,810 40% 3,068 16,484
Contractors 28 5,054 -99% 1,603 21,285
Grand total 5,359 8,864 -40% 4,671 37,769
Value of sales Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 Change Q1 2016 F2015
Saxendrift Complex 5,366 6,266 -14% 4,326 27,233
RHC 4,183 - 0% - -
NJK - 2,745 -100% 1,109 8,457
Total 9,549 9,011 6% 5,435 35,690
Contractors 9 4,186 -100% 1,252 15,105
Grand total 9,558 13,197 -28% 6,687 50,795
Average value Q2 F2016 Q2 F2015 Change Q1 2016 F2015
Saxendrift Complex 2,354 2,406 -2% 1,816 2,363
RHC 1,371 - 0% - -
NJK - 2,276 -100% 1,619 1,706
Total 1,791 2,365 -24% 1,772 2,165
Contractors 301 828 -64% 781 710
Grand total 1,783 1,489 20% 1,432 1,345
* “Contractors’ mining” refers to independent royalty contractors processing gravel for their own risk and reward on Rockwell
owned mineral properties. Carats recovered are then sold through the Company’s tender process. The Company retains the
responsibility for diamond security and sales and recognize 100% of the revenue on sale. The contractual 87.5% of the sales
value, payable to the contractor, is recognized as production costs in the statement of profit and loss.
** “Contractors’ carats” refers to independent royalty contractors processing gravel for their own risk and reward on Rockwell
owned mineral properties. Carats recovered are then sold through the Company’s tender process. The Company retains the
responsibility for diamond security and sales and recognize 100% of the revenue on sale. The contractual 87.5% of the sales
value, payable to the contractor, is recognized as production costs in the statement of profit and loss.
For further information on Rockwell and its operations in South Africa, please contact
James Campbell CEO +27 (0)83 457 3724
Stéphanie Leclercq Investor Relations +27 (0)83 307 7587
David Tosi PSG Capital – JSE Sponsor +27 (0)21 887 9602
About Rockwell Diamonds:
Rockwell is engaged in the business of operating and developing alluvial diamond deposits, with a goal to
become a mid-tier diamond production company. Rockwell has a development project and a pipeline of earlier
stage properties with future development potential. The operations are based on high throughput processing
capability and the lowest unit costs in the industry as a result of implementing state-of-the-art technologies.
The Company is has a reputation for producing large, high quality gemstone comprising a major portion of its
diamond recoveries that are enhanced through a beneficiation joint venture which enables it to participate in the
profits in the downstream sale of the polished diamonds.
Rockwell also evaluates consolidation opportunities which have the potential to expand its mineral resources and
production profile and to provide accretive value to the Company.
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project",
"intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or
"will" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include uncertainties and
costs related to exploration and development activities, such as those related to determining whether mineral resources exist
on a property; uncertainties related to expected production rates, timing of production and cash and total costs of production
and milling; uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses, permits, electricity, surface rights and title for
development projects; operating and technical difficulties in connection with mining development activities; uncertainties
related to the accuracy of our mineral resource estimates and our estimates of future production and future cash and total
costs of production and diminishing quantities or grades if mineral resources; uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or
regulatory procedures or changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our mining
operations; changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets and the demand and market price for mineral
commodities such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity, and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in
exchange rates, particularly with respect to the value of the US dollar, Canadian dollar and South African Rand; changes in
accounting policies and methods that we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical
accounting assumptions and estimates; environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining and processing;
geopolitical uncertainty and political and economic instability in countries in which we operate; and labour strikes, work
stoppages, or other interruptions to, or difficulties in, the employment of labour in markets in which we operate our mines, or
environmental hazards, industrial accidents or other events or occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt
operation of our mines or development projects.
For further information on Rockwell, Investors should review Rockwell's home jurisdiction filings that are available at
www.sedar.com.
Date: 21/09/2015 02:30:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
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