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SOUTH32 LIMITED - Quarterly report March 2018

Release Date: 19/04/2018 08:00
Code(s): S32     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Quarterly report March 2018

South32 Limited
(Incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth))
(ACN 093 732 597)
ASX, LSE, JSE Share Code: S32 ADR: SOUHY
ISIN: AU000000S320

QUARTERLY REPORT  MARCH 2018


•    Strong commodity prices and a partial unwind of working capital                   “We delivered production records at
     delivered a US$477M increase in net cash to US$1.9B after                         Mozal Aluminium and Australia
     allocating a further US$85M to our on-market share buy-back in                    Manganese and have increased full
     the quarter.                                                                      year guidance for both of our
                                                                                       manganese operations in light of
•    Delivered a year to date production record at Mozal Aluminium as                  strong market demand.
     the smelter continued to test its maximum technical capability
     and increased payable nickel production at Cerro Matoso by 21%                   “At the Appin colliery we further prioritised
     as the performance of La Esmeralda continued to exceed                            coal     clearance     and    ground
     expectations.                                                                     rehabilitation activities during the
•    Increased payable silver production at Cannington by 28% in the                   quarter, setting the foundation for a
     quarter as mining entered a higher grade sequence of stopes.                      return to historical rates of
                                                                                       production at Illawarra Metallurgical
•    Increased production guidance at Australia Manganese by 6%                        Coal of more than 8 million tonnes
     and South Africa Manganese by 5% on the back of strong market                     per annum.
     demand and record operating performance at Australia
     Manganese.  
                                                                                       “We also continued to benefit from
•    Revised FY18 production guidance at Illawarra Metallurgical Coal                  elevated    prices    in  our    key
     to 4.1Mt as we further prioritised coal clearance and ground                      commodity markets, strengthening
     rehabilitation activities during the March 2018 quarter in support                our net cash balance by US$477
     of the Appin colliery restart plan.                                               million to US$1.9 billion after
                                                                                       allocating a further US$85 million to
•    Finalised plans at Illawarra Metallurgical Coal that are expected                 our on-market share buy-back.”
     to deliver more productive longwall and development
     performance, underpinning a recovery in production
     to more than 6Mt in FY19 and an anticipated return to historical 
     rates above 8Mtpa from H2 FY20.
                                                                                       Graham Kerr, South32 CEO
•    Advanced our plans to manage South Africa Energy Coal as a
     stand-alone business from the June 2018 quarter, which will
     allow us to simplify our business, lower overhead costs and
     fundamentally change the way we work.


Production summary
                                                        
South32’s share                                 9M             9M         YoY             3Q17         2Q18          3Q18    QoQ
                                              YTD17         YTD18
Alumina production (kt)                       3,901         3,773         (3%)           1,288        1,262         1,232    (2%)
Aluminium production (kt)                       737           737          0%              245          246           242    (2%)
Energy coal production (kt)                  22,567        21,097         (7%)           6,858        6,987         7,096    2%
Metallurgical coal production (kt)            4,260         2,076        (51%)           1,431          788           794    1%
Manganese ore production (kwmt)               3,718         4,199         13%            1,285        1,526         1,369    (10%)
Manganese alloy production (kt)                 162           180         11%               47           62            62    0%
Payable nickel production (kt)                 26.8          32.5         21%              9.1         10.1          10.7    6%
Payable silver production (koz)              12,277         8,257       (33%)            3,548        2,412         3,082    28%
Payable lead production (kt)                  105.2          73.0       (31%)             31.3         23.6          23.6    0%
Payable zinc production (kt)                   57.2          28.8       (50%)             15.1          9.2           8.6    (7%)
Unless otherwise noted: percentage variance relates to performance during the nine months ended March 2018 compared with the nine 
months ended March 2017 (YoY) or the March 2018 quarter compared with the December 2017 quarter (QoQ); production and sales volumes 
are reported on an attributable basis.




                                                                                                              1
CORPORATE UPDATE




SOUTH32 QUARTERLY REPORT MARCH 2018   2
                                                     
•   Net cash increased by US$477M to US$1.9B[1] during the March 2018 quarter as commodity prices remained
    elevated, the prior build in working capital partially unwound, and we received net distributions totaling US$158M[2]from 
    our manganese equity accounted investments (EAI)(South32 share)and US$44M (pre-tax) from the sale of a financial asset. 
    Our strong financial position allowed us to return a further US$85M to shareholders during the period with the continuation 
    of our on-market share buy-back.

•   To 31 March 2018 we had completed US$390M of our approved US$1B capital management program, having
    bought back 176M shares at an average price of A$2.89 per share. Subsequent to the end of the quarter we
    returned an additional US$154M in the form of a special dividend, bringing total returns under our approved US$1B
    capital management program to US$544M. We also paid a fully franked interim dividend of US$221M on 5 April
    2018.

•   As a result of lower volumes, Operating unit costs at Illawarra Metallurgical Coal are expected to remain elevated in
    FY18 at US$150/t (prior guidance US$135/t) before benefitting from stronger production as our ramp up plan gains
    momentum. While FY18 Operating unit cost guidance at all other operations remains unchanged, the potential for
    a greater proportion of higher margin export tonnes at South Africa Energy Coal may increase Operating unit costs
    by approximately 5%. Stronger alumina prices, of which we are a net beneficiary, will also impact the cost base of
    our aluminium smelters over the remainder of FY18.

•   Capital expenditure (including EAI) guidance of US$525M for FY18 is unchanged with the rate of spend expected to
    increase in the June 2018 quarter as long lead time items are purchased for the Klipspruit Life Extension project.

•   We remain on track to manage South Africa Energy Coal as a stand-alone business during the June 2018 quarter,
    having concluded our structural consultation processes with impacted employees. This will allow us to simplify our
    business, lower overhead costs and fundamentally change the way we work.

•   We invested US$32.5M in exploration programs during the nine months ended 31 March 2018 (US$1.4M
    capitalised). This included US$1.1M for our EAI (US$0.6M capitalised) and US$16.5M of expenditure across 13
    projects associated with our portfolio of early stage greenfield exploration opportunities.

•   Our Underlying Effective Tax Rate (ETR), which excludes tax associated with our EAI, largely reflects the geographic
    distribution of the Group’s profit. The corporate tax rates applicable to the Group include: Australia 30%, South Africa                                       
    28%, Colombia 37%[3] , Mozambique[3] 0% and Brazil 34%.


Production guidance                     FY17        9M                FY18e  Commentary
(South32’s share)                                 YTD18

Worsley Alumina
Alumina production (kt)                 3,892      2,783              3,975  Expect to approach guidance as hydrate conversion 
                                                                             rate improve in the June 2018 quarter with a reduction
                                                                             in calciner maintenance

South Africa Aluminium                     
Alumina production (kt)                  714        533                 720  Expect to approach guidance despite an electric arc 
                                                                             Aluminium production (kt)incident in the December 
                                                                             2017 quarter

Mozal Aluminium
Aluminium production (kt)                271        204                  269

Brazil Alumina
Alumina production (kt)                1,329        990                1,345
                           
South Africa Energy Coal[4]
Energy coal production (kt)           28,913     20,164               27,500
Domestic coal production (kt)         16,717     11,059               16,000
Export coal production (kt)           12,196      9,105               11,500

Illawarra Metallurgical Coal
Total coal production (kt)             7,073      3,009     (downward) 4,100  Guidance reduced by 9% as we Further prioritised coal
Metallurgical coal production (kt)     5,697      2,076     (downward) 2,950  clearance and ground rehabilitation activities at the  
                                                                              Appin colliery during the March 2018 quarter

Energy coal production (kt)            1,376        933                1,150               
Australia Manganese
Manganese ore production                                                      Guidance increased by 6%
(kwmt)                                 2,994      2,531       (upward) 3,300  (subject to market demand)

South Africa Manganese
                             
Manganese ore production[5]                                                   Guidance increased by 5%
(kwmt)                                 2,038      1,668       (upward) 2,150  (subject to market demand)

Cerro Matoso
Payable nickel production (kt)           36.5      32.5                41.6   Tracking ahead of plan with the potential to
                                                                              marginallyexceed guidance

Cannington
Payable silver production (koz)       15,603      8,257              12,200
Payable lead production (kt)             132         73                 102
Payable zinc production (kt)              70         29                  39


WORSLEY ALUMINA
                                                                                                                     3
(86% share)
                                                                                                          3Q17       3Q18  
South32's share                             9M         9M       YoY        3Q17      2Q18       3Q18        vs        vs
                                         YTD17      YTD18                                                 3Q17       2Q18    
                                                                                                               
Alumina production (kt)                   2,904     2,783      (4%)         964       923       918       (5%)       (1%)
Alumina sales (kt)                        2,927     2,796      (4%)       1,018       920       910      (11%)       (1%)

Worsley Alumina saleable production decreased by 4% (or 121kt) to 2.8Mt in the nine months ended March 2018,
despite the performance of the input circuit remaining largely unchanged at an annualised rate of 4.5Mt (100% basis).
Further calciner maintenance was undertaken in the March 2018 quarter and the refinery has established a substantial
hydrate position. While FY18 production guidance remains unchanged, it is predicated on our ability to convert hydrate to
calcined alumina during the June 2018 quarter.

First ore from the West Marradong sublease was processed during the March 2018 quarter. West Marradong is expected
to reduce average caustic consumption at the refinery from the June 2018 quarter.


SOUTH AFRICA ALUMINIUM
(100%)
                                                                                                          3Q18      3Q18    
South32's share                             9M        9M        YoY        3Q17      2Q18       3Q18        vs        vs
                                         YTD17     YTD18                                                  3Q17      2Q18                                           
                                                                                                             
Aluminium production (kt)                   534       533      (0%)         178       178       175       (2%)      (2%)
Aluminium sales (kt)                        510       528       4%          163       182       184       13%        1%

South Africa Aluminium saleable production decreased by 1kt to 533kt in the nine months ended March 2018 as the
smelter progressively returned all pots to service following an electric arc incident in the December 2017 quarter. Despite
this incident, FY18 production is expected to approach annual guidance of 720kt.


MOZAL ALUMINIUM
(47.1% share)
                                                                                                               
                                                                                                          3Q18       3Q18  
South32's share                             9M      9M          YoY        3Q17      2Q18       3Q18        vs        vs
                                         YTD17     YTD18                                                  3Q17       2Q18
                                                                                                               
Aluminium production (kt)                   203       204       0%           67         68        67       0%         (1%)
Aluminium sales (kt)                        200       198      (1%)          66         82        51     (23%)       (38%)

Mozal Aluminium saleable production increased by 1kt to a record 204kt in the nine months ended March 2018 as the
smelter continued to test its maximum technical capability. Aluminium sales declined by 38% in the March 2018 quarter
as our inventory position normalised following a drawdown in the prior quarter. FY18 production guidance remains
unchanged at 269kt.


BRAZIL ALUMINA
(36% share)

                                                                                                          3Q18      3Q18    
South32's share                             9M        9M        YoY        3Q17      2Q18       3Q18        vs        vs
                                         YTD17     YTD18                                                  3Q17      2Q18                                           

Alumina production (kt)                     997       990      (1%)         324       339       314       (3%)      (7%)
Alumina sales (kt)                          994       963      (3%)         356       316       314      (12%)      (1%)

Brazil Alumina saleable production decreased by 1% (or 7kt) to 990kt in the nine months ended March 2018 as
unplanned maintenance impacted performance during the March 2018 quarter. FY18 production guidance remains
unchanged at 1.3Mt.


SOUTH AFRICA ENERGY COAL                                                                                              4
(100%)

                                                                                                           3Q18     3Q18    
South32's share                             9M         9M       YoY        3Q17      2Q18       3Q18        vs       vs
                                         YTD17      YTD18                                                  3Q17     2Q18                                           

Energy coal production (kt)              21,500    20,164      (6%)        6,675     6,734     6,741        1%       0%
Domestic sales (kt)                      12,974    11,169     (14%)        4,056     3,546     3,835      (5%)       8%
Export sales (kt)                         8,729     9,337       7%         2,873     3,117     3,472       21%      11%


South Africa Energy Coal saleable production decreased by 6% (or 1.336kt) to 20.2Mt in the nine months ended
March 2018. Export coal production continued to exceed expectations as the Wolvekrans-Middelburg Complex (WMC)
benefitted from ongoing investment that is providing access to higher margin tonnes. In contrast, domestic production
from the WMC was lower as demand from the Duvha power station remained subdued and scheduled maintenance was
undertaken. Export sales increased by 11% in the March 2018 quarter as the prior weather related supply chain
constraint at Richards Bay Coal Terminal was cleared.

Whilst FY18 production guidance remains unchanged at 27.5Mt (11.5Mt export; 16.0Mt domestic) persistent weakness in
domestic demand may result in a reduction of loss making domestic volumes across the remainder of FY18 and FY19.
While any reduction in domestic sales volumes or a reweighting towards export markets would be margin accretive,
average Operating unit costs would be impacted by increased washing and logistics costs, and reduction in volumes.


ILLAWARRA METALLURGICAL COAL
(100%)
                                                                                                         3Q18     3Q18    
South32's share                              9M        9M      YoY         3Q17      2Q18      3Q18       vs        vs
                                          YTD17     YTD18                                                3Q17     2Q18                                           
 
Total coal production (kt)                5,327     3,009    (44%)        1,614     1,041     1,149     (29%)      10%
Total coal sales (kt)                     5,585     2,751    (51%)        1,980       882     1,091     (45%)      24%
Metallurgical coal production (kt)        4,260     2,076    (51%)        1,431       788       794     (45%)       1%
Metallurgical coal sales (kt)             4,482     1,817    (59%)        1,694       654       760     (55%)      16%
Energy coal production (kt)               1,067       933    (13%)          183       253       355      94%       40%
Energy coal sales (kt)                    1,103       934    (15%)          286       228       331      16%       45%

Illawarra Metallurgical Coal total saleable production decreased by 44% (or 2,318kt) to 3.0Mt in the nine months ended
March 2018 as the Appin colliery continued to ramp-up production following an extended outage. Given a greater focus
on coal clearance and ground rehabilitation activities at the Appin colliery during the quarter, and with two longwall moves 
planned before the end of the financial year, we now expect Illawarra Metallurgical Coal to produce 4.1Mt of saleable coal in 
FY18 (versus prior guidance of 4.5Mt). As a result, Operating unit costs are expected to remain elevated in FY18 at 
US$150/t (prior guidance US$135/t) before benefitting from increased production in FY19 as our ramp up plan gains momentum. 
In this context, more productive longwall and development performance is expected to underpin a recovery in production to 
more than 6Mt in FY19 and an anticipated return to historical rates of production above 8Mtpa from H2 FY20.




                                                                                                                   5
AUSTRALIA MANGANESE
(60% share)

                                                                                                    3Q18     3Q18    
South32's share                            9M       9M     YoY         3Q17      2Q18      3Q18      vs       vs
                                        YTD17    YTD18                                              3Q17     2Q18                                           
       
Manganese ore production (kwmt)         2,218    2,531     14%          719      893       830      15%      (7%)
Manganese ore sales (kwmt)              2,249    2,415      7%          749      822       803       7%      (2%)
Manganese alloy production (kt)           106      123     16%           28       43        41      46%      (5%)
Manganese alloy sales (kt)                119      115     (3%)          37       42        37       0%     (12%)

Australia Manganese saleable ore production increased by 14% (or 313kwmt) to a record 2.5Mwmt in the nine months
ended March 2018 as the PC02 circuit exceeded its annualised capacity of 500kwmt (100% basis). We have increased
our FY18 production guidance by 6% to 3,300kwmt, despite the impact of the wet season in the March 2018 quarter.

Manganese alloy saleable production increased by 16% (or 17kt) to 123kt in the nine months ended March 2018 as all
four furnaces continued to operate.


SOUTH AFRICA MANGANESE
(60% share)


                                                                                                    3Q18     3Q18    
South32's share                            9M       9M      YoY        3Q17     2Q18       3Q18       vs       vs
                                        YTD17    YTD18                                              3Q17     2Q18 
                                          
Manganese ore production (kwmt)         1,500    1,668      11%         566      633       539      (5%)    (15%)
Manganese ore sales (kwmt)              1,482    1,543       4%         554      539       476    (14%)     (12%)
Manganese alloy production (kt)            56       57       2%          19       19        21      11%      11%
Manganese alloy sales (kt)                 54       49     (9%)          14       14        21      50%      50%

South Africa Manganese saleable ore production increased by 11% (or 168kwmt) to 1.7Mwmt in the nine months ended
March 2018 as we continued to utilise higher cost trucking and sell lower quality fines product to take advantage of
favourable market conditions. We have increased our FY18 production guidance by 5% to 2,150kwmt despite planned
major maintenance at the Wessels underground mine in the June 2018 quarter.

Manganese alloy saleable production increased by 2% (or 1kt) to 57kt in the nine months ended March 2018 as
Metalloys continued to operate one of its four furnaces.


CERRO MATOSO
(99.9% share)


                                                                                                    3Q18     3Q18    
South32's share                            9M       9M      YoY        3Q17     2Q18       3Q18       vs       vs
                                        YTD17    YTD18                                              3Q17     2Q18 

Payable nickel production (kt)           26.8     32.5     21%          9.1      10.1     10.7       18%       6%
Payable nickel sales (kt)                26.8     32.1     20%          9.2       9.9     10.8       17%       9%

Cerro Matoso payable nickel production increased by 21% (or 5.7kt) to 32.5kt in the nine months ended March 2018,
despite major maintenance of the furnace being completed during the quarter, as planned. The operation is currently
tracking ahead of expectations with the potential to marginally exceed production guidance of 41.6kt in FY18.

Production has not been impacted by the decision handed down by the Constitutional Court of Colombia in relation to
alleged health and environmental impacts at the community surrounding the operation. We are in the process of
appealing the decision.




                                                                                                                   6
CANNINGTON
(100%)

                                                                                                    3Q18      3Q18    
South32's share                      9M         9M       YoY    3Q17         2Q18        3Q18        vs        vs
                                  YTD17      YTD18                                                  3Q17      2Q18 
                                          
Payable silver production (koz)  12,277      8,257     (33%)   3,548        2,412        3,082     (13%)       28%
Payable silver sales (koz)       12,404      8,443      (32%)  3,544        2,503        3,014     (15%)       20%
Payable lead production (kt)     105.2       73.0      (31%)   31.3          23.6         23.6     (25%)        0%
Payable lead sales (kt)          105.8       72.1      (32%)   32.5          22.7         23.5     (28%)        4%
Payable zinc production (kt)     57.2        28.8      (50%)   15.1           9.2          8.6     (43%)       (7%)
Payable zinc sales (kt)          57.6        32.0      (44%)   16.8          12.1          6.3     (63%)      (48%)

Cannington silver, lead and zinc payable production decreased by 33%, 31% and 50%, respectively, in the nine months
ended March 2018 as the operation transitioned to its replacement underground crusher and the mine plan moved
through a lower grade sequence of stopes. The replacement underground crusher was commissioned during the March
2018 quarter ahead of schedule and payable silver production increased by 28% as the mine plan entered a higher
grade sequence of stopes. FY18 production guidance (silver 12,200koz, lead 102kt, zinc 39kt) remains unchanged with
ore grades expected to increase in the June 2018 quarter, consistent with the mine plan.


Notes:
1.   Net cash number is unaudited.
2.   Net distributions from equity accounting investments includes net debt movements and dividends, which are unaudited.
3.   The Colombian corporate tax rate was 40% until 31 December 2017. The Mozambique operations are subject to a royalty on 
     revenues instead of income tax.
4.   8% of South Africa Energy Coal is owned by a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) consortium. The interests 
     owned by the B-BBEE consortium were acquired using vendor finance, with the loans repayable to South32 via distributions 
     attributable to these parties, pro rata to their share in South Africa Energy Coal. Until these loans are repaid, South32’s 
     interest in South Africa Energy Coal is accounted at 100%.
5.   Consistent with the presentation of South32’s segment information, South Africa Manganese ore production and sales have
     been reported at 60%.
     The Group’s financial statement will continue to reflect a 54.6% interest in South Africa Manganese ore.
6.   The following abbreviations have been used throughout this report: grams per tonne (g/t); tonnes (t); thousand tonnes (kt); 
     thousand tonnes per annum (ktpa); million tonnes (Mt); million tonnes per annum (Mtpa); thousand ounces (koz); million 
     ounces (Moz); thousand wet metric tonnes (kwmt); million wet metric tonnes (Mwmt); million wet metric tonnes per annum 
     (Mwmt pa); thousand dry metric tonnes (kdmt).


                                                                                                                  7
OPERATING PERFORMANCE
                                                
South32’s share                          9M       9M     3Q17    4Q17    1Q18    2Q18    3Q18
                                      YTD17    YTD18
Worsley Alumina
(86% share)
Alumina hydrate production (kt)        2,939    2,885    993     959     974     973     938
Alumina production (kt)                2,904    2,783    964     988     942     923     918
Alumina sales (kt)                     2,927    2,796   1,018    920     966     920     910

South Africa Aluminium
(100%)
Aluminium production (kt)               534      533     178     180     180     178     175
Aluminium sales (kt)                    510      528     163     203     162     182     184

Mozal Aluminium
(47.1% share)
Aluminium production (kt)               203      204      67      68      69      68      67
Aluminium sales (kt)                    200      198      66      73      65      82      51

Brazil Alumina
(36% share)
Alumina production (kt)                 997      990     324     332     337     339     314
Alumina sales (kt)                      994      963     356     322     333     316     314

South Africa Energy Coal
(100%)
Energy coal production (kt)           21,500   20,164   6,675   7,413   6,689   6,734   6,741
Domestic sales (kt)                   12,974   11,169   4,056   3,948   3,788   3,546   3,835
Export sales (kt)                      8,729    9,337   2,873   3,068   2,748   3,117   3,472

Illawarra Metallurgical Coal
(100%)
Total coal production (kt)             5,327    3,009   1,614   1,746    819    1,041   1,149
Total coal sales (kt)                  5,585    2,751   1,980   1,711    778     882    1,091
Metallurgical coal production (kt)     4,260    2,076   1,431   1,437    494     788     794
Metallurgical coal sales (kt)          4,482    1,817   1,694   1,470    403     654     760
Energy coal production (kt)            1,067     933     183     309     325     253     355
Energy coal sales (kt)                 1,103     934     286     241     375     228     331

Australia Manganese
(60% share)
Manganese ore production (kwmt)        2,218    2,531    719     776     808     893     830
Manganese ore sales (kwmt)             2,249    2,415    749     838     790     822     803
Ore grade sold (%, Mn)                  46.3     45.7    46.0    46.2    46.1    46.0    45.0
Manganese alloy production (kt)         106      123      28      41      39      43      41
Manganese alloy sales (kt)              119      115      37      36      36      42      37

South Africa Manganese
(60% share)
Manganese ore production (kwmt)        1,500    1,668    566     538     496     633     539
Manganese ore sales (kwmt)             1,482    1,543    554     542     528     539     476
Ore grade sold (%, Mn)                  40.2     40.2    40.1    39.8    40.7    39.9    40.1
Manganese alloy production (kt)          56       57      19      17      17      19      21
Manganese alloy sales (kt)               54       49      14      20      14      14      21




                                                           8
                                                     
South32’s share                            9M             9M        3Q17         4Q17         1Q18         2Q18         3Q18
                                           YTD17        YTD18
Cerro Matoso
(99.9% share)
Ore mined (kwmt)                           3,391       2,918       1,044        1,056        1,051        1,036         831
Ore processed (kdmt)                       1,937       2,012         648          624          696          644         672
Ore grade processed (%, Ni)                 1.56        1.81        1.60         1.69         1.91         1.75        1.76
Payable nickel production (kt)              26.8        32.5         9.1          9.7         11.7         10.1        10.7
Payable nickel sales (kt)                   26.8        32.1         9.2          9.8         11.4          9.9        10.8
Cannington
(100%)
Ore mined (kwmt)                           2,314       1,780         675          595          647          562          571
Ore processed (kdmt)                       2,408       1,712         739          628          593          575          544
Silver ore grade processed (g/t, Ag)         194         178         183          196          175          155          207
Lead ore grade processed (%, Pb)             5.4         5.1         5.3          5.2          5.2          4.9          5.2
Zinc ore grade processed (%, Zn)             3.5         2.5         3.0          3.1          2.8          2.3          2.5
Payable silver production (koz)           12,277       8,257       3,548        3,326        2,763        2,412        3,082
Payable silver sales (koz)                12,404       8,443       3,544        3,866        2,926        2,503        3,014
Payable lead production (kt)               105.2        73.0        31.3         26.9         25.8         23.6        23.6
Payable lead sales (kt)                    105.8        72.1        32.5         32.3         25.9         22.7        23.5
Payable zinc production (kt)                57.2        28.8        15.1         13.2         11.0          9.2         8.6
Payable zinc sales (kt)                     57.6        32.0        16.8          9.8         13.6         12.1         6.3

Forward-looking statements
This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about trends in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; 
demand for commodities; production forecasts; plans, strategies and objectives of management; capital costs and scheduling; operating 
costs;  anticipated productive lives of projects, mines and facilities; and provisions and contingent liabilities. These 
forward-looking statements reflect expectations at the date of this release, however they are not guarantees or predictions of 
future performance. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, 
and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements
contained in this release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by 
applicable laws or regulations, the South32 Group does not undertake to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, 
whether as a result of new information or future events. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.
The denotation (e) refers to an estimate or forecast year.



FURTHER INFORMATION

INVESTOR RELATIONS                                 MEDIA RELATIONS

Alex Volante                                        Hayley Cardy                                        James Clothier
T +44 20 7798 1778                                  T +61 8 9324 9008                                   T +61 8 9324 9697
M +44 74 6853 3005                                  M +61 409 448 288                                   M +61 413 319 031
E Alex.Volante@south32.net                          E Hayley.Cardy@south32.net                          E James.Clothier@south32.net




                                                                                                                    19 April 2018
                                                                                          JSE Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd




SOUTH32 QUARTERLY REPORT MARCH 2018                                                                                                                         9

Date: 19/04/2018 08:00:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). 
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