Wrap Text
Operational update for the year ended 30 June 2020
Pan African Resources PLC
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under Companies Act 1985 with registered number
3937466 on 25 February 2000)
Share code on AIM: PAF
Share code on JSE: PAN
ISIN: GB0004300496
ADR ticker code: PAFRY
(“Pan African” or "the Company" or “the Group”)
OPERATIONAL UPDATE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Pan African is pleased to provide shareholders with the final production results, as well as an
operational update, for the financial year ended 30 June 2020 (“reporting period”).
Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, the Group delivered a robust performance, with the
salient features being:
- Gold production increased by 4.1% to 179,575oz, compared with 172,442oz for the financial
year ended 30 June 2019 (“prior reporting period”) and 2% higher than the revised production
guidance of 176,000oz.
- The Group maintained an industry leading safety performance, despite a slight regression in
lost-time injury frequency rate (“LTIFR”) and reportable injury frequency rate (“RIFR”), with
the regression largely attributable to reduced man hours worked due to COVID-19, when
compared to the prior reporting period. Additionally, Barberton Mines achieved 3 million
fatality-free shifts during June 2020, a record for the past decade.
- Operations have implemented stringent policies and protocols to deal with the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic.
- Group net debt decreased by 49% to USD62.5 million from USD123.7 million at December
2019. Net debt at the 2020 year-end was lower than the previously guided USD70 million as
a result of better than anticipated production, depreciation in the ZAR/USD exchange rate and
disciplined working capital management.
- Steady state production was achieved at Evander’s 8 Shaft pillar during June 2020, with
expected production of 30,000oz per year for the next three years.
- Development into the first target block on 42 level of Barberton’s New Consort Mine - Prince
Consort (“PC”) Shaft was completed during June 2020, with highly prospective grades
recovered during the last month.
- The Pan African board has approved the construction of a 10MW solar power plant at Elikhulu,
with the plant expected to materially reduce electricity costs, post its 12-month construction
period.
- The independent feasibility study review for Evander’s Egoli project was completed, with
detailed scheduling now underway, and the Group exploring funding options for its
development. The project is expected to contribute incremental annual production of
between 60,000oz to 80,000oz for the Group, over its minimum life of 9 years. The feasibility
study projects steady state annual production of 72,000oz in year 2, at an all-in sustaining cost
(“AISC”) of under USD1,000/oz. This life of mine excludes the Inferred Mineral Resources of
6,26Mt at 9,68 g/t (1.95 Moz), which will be accessed once underground development is in
place.
Production guidance for the 2021 financial year has increased to approximately 190,000oz.
Pan African CEO Cobus Loots commented:
“Pan African has demonstrated the resilience of its operations with an improved performance for the
year, especially when taking into account the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The
flexibility inherent in our operations confirms the quality of these mines and their ability to withstand
short term disruptions and still deliver on our targets.
We expect that we still have a long battle ahead against COVID-19 and will do our part to mitigate the
impact as far as possible. Pan African will continue to rigorously implement preventative and
precautionary measures at our operations to ensure the health and well-being of our employees. We
will respond rapidly and in a considered manner where occurrences of COVID-19 are identified. We
will also continue our relief efforts to assist the most vulnerable in our areas of operation.
The Group’s safety performance is commendable, and I wish to thank all of my fellow employees and
contractors for ensuring that each and every one of us returned home safely during the past year. We
need to remain unrelented in the pursuit of our ultimate goal of “Zero Harm” in the year ahead.”.
The Group has further prioritised its focus on our Environment, Social and Governance (“ESG”)
initiatives, with increased rehabilitation spend and board approval for sustainable development
projects, including the renewable energy solar plant at Elikhulu and large scale agriculture projects at
Barberton Mines. A feasibility study for a solar plant has also been initiated at Barberton Mines.
Our strategic focus for the year ahead remains on optimising our operations and degearing our balance
sheet, with the intent of increasing dividends in the years ahead. We are especially pleased to report
that the rate of degearing has exceeded previous guidance and, at prevailing Rand gold prices and
guided production levels, we expect to be debt free within the next twelve months.
During our 2020 interim results presentation, we outlined detailed plans to reduce the costs of our
lower margin operations. Despite COVID-19 delays, we have delivered on these plans with our annual
production profile bolstered by the pillar mining at Evander’s 8 Shaft, which reached steady state
during June 2020, while the accelerated development at Barberton Mines’ Consort operation has
exceeded our expectations in terms of recovered grades and gold production. The positive feasibility
study for Evander’s Egoli Project demonstrates that this project can add considerably to the Group’s
production profile and firmly entrench Pan African as an established mid-tier gold producer.
We look forward to presenting our year-end financial results and demonstrating the value we have
created for our shareholders and our other stakeholders, amidst the challenges faced in the last half
of the financial year as a result of COVID-19.”
Group annual production
Group annual gold production for the 2020 financial year increased by 4.1% to 179,575oz (2019:
172,442oz), exceeding the revised production guidance of 176,000oz, as announced to shareholders
on 11 May 2020 by means of SENS/RNS. Gold production, especially at Barberton Mines, was severely
affected during March and April 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdown
restrictions imposed. The gold production split per operation is as follows:
Year ended 30 Year ended 30
June 2020* June 2019
Production ounce profile:
Barberton Mines – underground 68,302 75,356
Barberton Tailings Retreatment Plant 20,153 24,007
Evander Mines – underground and tolling 31,541 26,878
Elikhulu 59,579 46,201
Total ounces produced: 179,575 172,442
* Values subject to final refinery adjustments
Safety achievements
The Group maintained an industry leading safety performance following a number of safety initiatives
and interventions:
• The Group reported a marginal regression in the RIFR from 0.51 per million man hours for the
year ended 30 June 2019 to 0.8 per million man hours for the year ended 30 June 2020;
• Group LTIFR rate regressed marginally from 1.62 per million man hours for the prior reporting
period to 1.70 per million man hours for the reporting period;
• The regression in the RIFR and LTFR rates are principally due to a reduction in the man hours
worked in the reporting period relative to the prior reporting period. Reduced hours, as a
result of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the reporting period, and completion of Elikhulu’s
construction in the prior reporting period contributed to the decrease in hours worked. The
Group’s safety performance however still exceeds industry norms;
• Barberton Mines achieved 3 million fatality-free shifts in June 2020 – a record for the mine
in the past decade;
• Fairview Mine achieved 2 million fatality free shifts in April 2020; and
• Elikhulu experienced no lost-time injuries during the past 11 months, contributing to the
Group’s commendable safety performance.
Pan African will continue to pursue further improvements to its safety performance in the years
ahead.
Statement of financial position
The Group materially reduced its senior interest-bearing debt (including the outstanding gold loan
balance of 5,000 ounces), net of available cash, to ZAR1.1 billion (USD62.5 million at an exchange rate
of ZAR/USD:17.33) from ZAR1.8 billion (USD129.0 million at an exchange rate of ZAR/USD:14.08) at
30 June 2019.
In USD terms, senior interest-bearing debt reduced by 49% relative to the debt levels at 31 December
2019 of ZAR 1.7 billion (USD123.7 million at an exchange rate of ZAR/USD:14.08).
Operational improvements and cost reductions
The Group has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve production and reduce unit costs at its
higher cost operations. These initiatives include:
Evander Mine’s 8 shaft pillar project (‘8 shaft pillar’)
Despite a delay, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent national lockdown restrictions
impacting underground mining operations, the Group is pleased to report that steady state production
at the 8 shaft pillar was attained during June 2020, when the shaft tower construction was completed
between 14 and 16 level at this shaft.
The 8 shaft pillar is expected to produce 30,000oz of gold per year for the next 3 years, at an AISC of
below USD1,000 per ounce. Mining of the 8 shaft pillar significantly reduces the risk profile of
Evander’s underground operations, with simplified logistics, modern underground mining support and
reduced travelling times to the workplace expected to contribute to improved production costs.
Barberton’s New Consort Operation
In the Group’s interim results presentation, detailed plans were provided on the development into
new stoping areas around the PC Shaft. Development into the first target block on 42 level of this shaft
has been completed, with a proved mineral reserve of 5,000 tons at an average grade of 25g/t
delineated. The ore body was intersected in early May 2020, following delays due to COVID-19
disruptions, and initial sampling revealed grades in certain areas in excess of 300g/t, containing large
amounts of visible gold. Production from this resource block at the New Consort Mine is expected to
reduce the mine’s AISC and ensure the operation’s future profitability. The Group’s on-site exploration
team has identified a number of additional potential targets using advanced exploration techniques,
which will be further explored and developed, if viable, in the next year.
A presentation containing technical details of the abovementioned PC shaft project is available on the
Group’s website at www.panafricanresources.com
Barberton’s Fairview operation
Improved flexibility, resulting from accelerated underground development programs implemented
during the past year, has resulted in increased face length availability (over 130m of high-grade face
length), which will assist the Group in delivering into its production guidance for the next financial
year. Geological complexity, as experienced on the 256 platform of the MRC ore body at Fairview
Mine, has been mitigated with increased mineral reserve delineation drilling, increasing the
confidence and predictability of geological models. Mining has now also commenced on the 257
platform of the MRC ore body.
Elikhulu Solar Plant
The Group’s board has approved the development of a 10MW solar photovoltaic (“PV”) project (the
“Project”) at Elikhulu’s operation in Evander, following the finalisation of a positive bankable feasibility
study undertaken by independent consultants ARUP. The Project will initially provide up to 30% of
Elikhulu’s annual power requirements and aims to reduce the operation’s dependency on the national
grid, whilst also reducing exposure to above inflation annual power cost increases. Additionally, the
Project will promote a more sustainable renewable energy solution for the green economy of the
country and reduce Elikhulu’s carbon footprint.
The Project, with an expected minimum life of at least 20 years, is expected to generate electricity at
a cost lower than Eskom power, which also makes this investment economically compelling.
Additional positive environmental and social aspects include the generation of carbon credits and job
creation within the local communities. This investment in renewable energy by the Group will result
in improved efficiencies, a further reduction in operating costs and the long term sustainability of the
Elikhulu operations.
The EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contract for the Project has been awarded to an
independent contractor and the Group is now in the process of finalising the necessary legal and
contractual agreements, as well raising dedicated funding for the project.
Evander’s Egoli Project
During the reporting period, DRA Global completed a feasibility study on the Egoli Project, which was
subject to an independent review by The Mineral Corporation. The study concluded that the project
has a life of 9 years with potential upside, through the conversion of inferred mineral resources, as
underground development proceeds. The Egoli Project is expected to contribute average annual gold
production of 72,000oz, with 20 months to first gold from commencement of development, at an
expected AISC of under USD1,000/oz.
The project initially requires approximately 560 meters of underground development and will benefit
from existing infrastructure such as vertical shafts, hoisting capacity and an operating metallurgical
processing plant, as well as the existing experienced management team.
The Group has mandated DRA Global as consultants to complete the detailed project scheduling and
planning as the next phase in the development of the project. Non-dilutive funding options are
currently being explored for the finance of the project.
Production guidance for the 2021 financial year
The Group is pleased to be in a position to increase its production guidance for the 2021 financial year
to approximately 190,000oz. This increase is attributable to the abovementioned operational
optimisation initiatives and resumption of full scale mining activities, following the lifting of COVID-19
restrictions, and assumes that the Group will not experience material COVID-19 disruptions in the
coming year.
The financial information on which this operational update has been based has not been reviewed or
reported on by the Company’s external auditors.
Hendrik Pretorius reviewed and approved the information contained in this document as it pertains
to Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. He is Pan African’s Mineral Resource Manager, a member
of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions as well as a member in good standing of
the Geological Society of South Africa.
Rosebank
10 July 2020
For further information on Pan African, please visit the Company's website at
www.panafricanresources.com
Contact information
Corporate Office Registered Office
The Firs Office Building Suite 31
2nd Floor, Office 204 Second Floor
Cnr. Cradock and Biermann Avenues 107 Cheapside
Rosebank, Johannesburg London
South Africa EC2V 6DN
Office: + 27 (0)11 243 2900 United Kingdom
info@paf.co.za Office: + 44 (0)20 7796 8644
Cobus Loots Deon Louw
Pan African Resources PLC Pan African Resources PLC
Chief Executive Officer Financial Director
Office: + 27 (0)11 243 2900 Office: + 27 (0)11 243 2900
Phil Dexter/Jane Kirton John Prior
St James's Corporate Services Limited Numis Securities Limited
Company Secretary Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
Office: + 44 (0)20 7796 8644 Office: +44 (0)20 7260 1000
Ciska Kloppers Ross Allister/David McKeown
Questco Corporate Advisory Proprietary Limited Peel Hunt LLP
JSE Sponsor Joint Broker
Office: + 27 (0)11 011 9200 Office: +44 (0)20 7418 8900
Hethen Hira Thomas Rider/Neil Elliot
Pan African Resources PLC BMO Capital Markets Limited
Head : Investor Relations Joint Broker
Tel: + 27 (0)11 243 2900 Office: +44 (0)20 7236 1010
E-mail: hhira@paf.co.za
Website: www.panafricanresources.com
Date: 10-07-2020 09:00:00
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