WESCOAL HOLDINGS LIMITED - Trading update and operational update

Trading update and operational update

WESCOAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
(Registration number 2005/006913/06)
Share code: WSL
ISIN: ZAE000069639
(“Wescoal” or "the Company")

Trading Update and Operational Update

Trading Update

In terms of paragraph 3.4 (b) of the JSE Limited ("JSE") Listings Requirements, companies are required to publish
a trading update as soon as they become reasonably certain that the financial results for the period to be reported
on will differ by more than 20% from the previous corresponding period.

Shareholders are advised that the Company expects, with reasonable certainty that the earnings per share for the
six months from 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015 (“the Period”) will be between 4.56 and 5.62 cents per share
compared to 15.2 cents per share for the comparative prior six months to 30 September 2014 (“the Prior Period”).
This represents a decrease of between 70% and 63%. Headline earnings per share for the Period is expected to
be between 4.10 and 5.17 cents per share compared to 15.2 cents per share for the Prior Period. This represents a
decrease of between 73% and 66%.

The financial information on which this trading update is based has not been reviewed or reported on by Wescoal`s
auditors.

Operational Update

Local and global market conditions remain volatile and challenging. The global mining industry has experienced
significant value erosion over the past 12 months, and global thermal coal prices specifically are at multi year lows.
Conditions in the South African business environment industry have been further impacted by pricing pressures,
power constraints, labour related disruptions, challenges in the construction sectors, and high household debt
levels, among others. While Wescoal’s exposure to Eskom has provided some relief from the general decline in
global prices, it has not been immune to the difficult trading environment.


Mining Division Update
The Company results for the Period were negatively impacted by the absence of long term Eskom contracts. Short
term Eskom contracts for the supply of 190,000 tons of coal from Intibane and Khanyisa were signed in late May
2015. A short term contract for the supply of 221,000 tons of coal from Elandspruit was signed on 7 September
2015. Eskom sales from short term contracts totaled approximately 362,000 tons during the Period compared to
906,000 tons during the Prior Period. Total coal sales from the mining division was approximately 698,000 tons
during the Period compared to 934,000 tons during the Prior Period. Efforts to conclude long term Eskom coal
supply contracts continue. Based on interactions with Eskom, it is understood that, if discussions extend beyond 31
October 2015, the current short term contract at Elandspruit will be rolled forward until a long term contract is
concluded. Long term contracts for the Intibane and Khanyisa collieries are dependent upon the granting of
regulatory permits including water use licenses.

The Elandspruit project was commissioned during the second quarter of the Period. Run of Mine (“ROM”) from
Elandspruit mine was effectively processed at the nearby processing plant and the beneficiated product sold to end
users. The project is on track and has already demonstrated its ability to produce approximately 2 million tons of
ROM per annum on an annualised basis. Debottlenecking and optimisation projects at the Elandspruit mine and
processing plant continue in order to increase production capacity and reduce operational risk.

Trading Division Update
Wescoal’s trading division delivered a very strong first half performance, exceeding expectations in a difficult
business environment. Improved credit controls and debtor management limited bad debt exposure and improved
the quality of the trading book. Lower sale volumes and downward price pressures during the Period were offset by
internal cost saving and productivity initiatives. Sales from the trading division totaled 550,000 tons during the
Period compared to 626,000 tons during the Prior Period.

Financial Performance Update
The lack of long term bank funding, which is reliant on the conclusion of long term Eskom contracts, meant that the
Elandspruit and other growth projects were funded out of operational cash flows. Approximately R144 million was
spent on growth projects during the Period. While this is testament to Wescoal’s strong cash flow generation, it has
come at a price. Revenue generating opportunities which required ready cash were forgone in exchange for the
continued development of the Elandspruit project and growth opportunities were pursued with caution. The recently
announced Wescoal rights issue was initiated in response to these constraints and to raise equity funding to
complete development of the Elandspruit project.

Shareholders are reminded that the earnings per share attributable to the immediately preceding six month period
of 1 October 2014 to 31 March 2015 as published on 23 June 2015, indicates 0.50 cents per share (15.7 cents per
share for full year to 31 March 2015 less 15.2 cents per share for the period ranging from 1 April 2014 to
30 September 2014). The earnings per share attributable to the Period represents an increase of 800% at the
bottom end and an increase of 1020% at the top end to this number. Earnings per share attributable to the month
of September 2015 are expected to be between 2.30 and 2.80 cents per share, mainly on the back of the
Elandspruit Eskom contract. This financial information has not been reviewed or reported on by Wescoal`s
auditors.

Release of 2016 Interim Results
The Company`s financial results for the Period are expected to be released during the week of 19 October 2015.


Isando
16 October 2015

Sponsor
Nedbank CIB

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