Polymetal International plc (POLY)
Polymetal: Half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June 2020
26-Aug-2020 / 09:00 MSK
Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Release time IMMEDIATE LSE, MOEX, AIX: POLY / ADR: AUCOY
Date 26 August 2020
Polymetal International plc
Half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June 2020
"We are pleased to report a strong financial performance in the first half
of the year amidst a challenging global backdrop. Favourable commodity
prices and our tight cost control, as well as the impact of foreign exchange
and improved grades, drove a significant increase in the Group's earnings,
cash flow and dividends. Importantly, we've been able to minimise the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic on our people, communities, and operations. Our key
development projects continue to progress on schedule", said Vitaly Nesis,
Group CEO, commenting on the results.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
? Revenue in 1H 2020 increased by 21% to US$ 1,135 million compared to 1H
2019 ("year-on-year") on the back of higher gold and silver prices. Gold
equivalent ("GE") production was 723 Koz, an increase of 4% year-on-year.
Gold sales were 595 Koz, down 1% year-on-year, as there was a lag between
gold concentrate production and sales, which is expected to close in 2H
2020. Silver sales were down 4% to 9.9 Moz, in line with production.
Average realised prices tracked market dynamics: gold prices achieved were
up 25% year-on-year, while silver prices were up 10%.
? Group Total Cash Costs ("TCC")1 were US$ 638/GE oz for 1H 2020, down 4%
year-on-year, and 2% below the lower end of the Company's full year
guidance of US$ 650-700/GE oz mostly due to a weakness in the Russian
Rouble and the Kazakh Tenge combined with a positive impact of change in
production structure towards the lower cost operations (notably Kyzyl).
? All-in Sustaining Cash Costs ("AISC")1 amounted to US$ 880/GE oz, down
3% year-on-year, within the Company's full year guidance of US$ 850-900/GE
oz.
? Adjusted EBITDA[1] was US$ 616 million, an increase of 53% year-on-year,
against the backdrop of higher commodity prices and lower cash costs. The
Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 11 p.p. and reached an all-time high
of 54% (1H 2019: 43%).
? Net earnings[2] were US$ 381 million (1H 2019: US$ 153 million), with
basic EPS of US$ 0.81 per share (1H 2019: US$ 0.33 per share), reflecting
the increase in operating profit. Underlying net earnings1 increased by
98% to US$ 373 million (1H 2019: US$ 188 million).
? Capital expenditure was US$ 248 million[3], up 31% compared to US$ 189
million in 2019, reflecting the construction at POX-2. The Group is on
track with the development activities at both POX-2 and Nezhda.
? An interim dividend of US$ 0.40 per share (1H 2019: US$ 0.20 per share)
representing 50% of the Group's underlying net earnings for 1H 2020 has
been approved by the Board in accordance with the dividend policy. In 1H
2020, the Group has paid dividends totalling US$ 0.62 per share (including
special dividend and final dividend for FY 2019).
? Net debt1 increased to US$ 1,690 million during the period (31 December
2019: US$ 1,479 million), representing 1.3x last twelve months Adjusted
EBITDA. Increase in debt was driven by seasonal working capital build-up
and payment of special and final dividends in the amount of US$ 291
million. Free cash flow1 was US$ 53 million, compared to US$ 63 million
net outflow a year earlier. As usual, FCF is expected to be stronger in
the second half of the year due to seasonally higher production and
working capital drawdown.
? Polymetal is on track to meet its 2020 production guidance of 1.5 Moz of
gold equivalent. The company maintains its guidance range of US$
650-700/GE oz and US$ 850-900/GE oz for TCC and AISC, respectively, as
depreciation of the Russian Rouble and Kazakh Tenge is currently
counterbalanced by COVID-related costs and increase in mining tax on the
back of rising gold and silver prices.
Financial highlights[4] 1H 2020 1H 2019[5] Change, %
Revenue, US$m 1,135 941 +21%
Total cash cost[6], US$/GE oz 638 667 -4%
All-in sustaining cash cost3, 880 904 -3%
US$/GE oz
Adjusted EBITDA3, US$m 616 403 +53%
Average realised gold price[7], 1,661 1,332 +25%
US$/oz
Average realised silver price4, 16.7 15.2 +10%
US$/oz
Net earnings, US$m 381 153 +149%
Underlying net earnings3, US$m 373 188 +98%
Return on Assets3, % 23% 14% +9 p.p.
Return on Equity (underlying)3,% 23% 13% +10 p.p.
Basic EPS, US$/share 0.81 0.33 +145%
Underlying EPS, US$/share 0.79 0.40 +98%
Dividend declared during the 0.62 0.31 +100%
period[8], US$/share
Dividend proposed for the 0.40 0.20 +100%
period[9], US$/share
Net debt3, US$m 1,690 1,479 +14%
Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA[10] 1.31 1.38 -5%
Net operating cash flow, US$m 300 127 +136%
Capital expenditure, US$m 248 189 +31%
Free cash flow3, US$m 53 (63) n/a
Free cash flow post-M&A3, US$m 55 (23) n/a
COVID-19 IMPACT ON GROUP's PERFORMANCE TO DATE
? No material COVID-19 outbreaks have so far occurred at our operations.
Multiple employees tested positive for the virus with the vast majority of
confirmed cases occurring during intra-shift breaks away from mines or
during mandatory observatory period.
? At Olcha (Omolon hub), mining operations have been temporarily suspended
in August due to COVID-19 on-site cases. Olcha employs 164 employees,
including contractors, and approximately a third of them tested positive.
Employees are under constant medical supervision. This will not have a
material impact on the Group's annual production, as the mine has been
outperforming the plan to date. Olcha is expected to resume normal
operational activity within 10-14 days.
? In both Russia and Kazakhstan, Polymetal has had no interruptions in
supply chain. The vast majority of operating consumables and spares are
sourced domestically and from China.
? Sales and refining activities remain unaffected. Refineries in Russia
and Kazakhstan continue to operate normally.
operating HIGHLIGHTS
? There were no fatal accidents during 1H 2020 within Polymetal and the
Company's contractors. LTIFR improved by 70% year-on-year to 0.07 with
only four minor injuries recorded for the period.
? GE production in 1H 2020 was 723 Koz, up 4% year-on-year. Stronger
production in the 2H will be driven by traditional seasonal concentrate
de-stockpiling at Mayskoye. The Company remains on track to meet its
FY2020 production guidance of 1.5 Moz of gold equivalent.
? Construction and development activities at Nezhda and POX-2 progressed
on schedule. COVID-related restrictions and cautionary measures have not
slowed down execution progress of these projects.
1H 2020 1H 2019 Change, %
Waste mined, Mt 79.1 77.6 +2%
Underground development, km 46.4 54.3 -15%
Ore mined, Mt 8.1 8.6 -6%
Open-pit 6.0 6.5 -7%
Underground 2.0 2.1 -4%
Ore processed, Mt 7.8 7.6 +2%
Average grade processed, GE g/t 4.0 3.7 +7%
Production
Gold, Koz 642 602 +7%
Silver, Moz 9.8 11.0 -11%
Gold equivalent, Koz[11] 723 694 +4%
Sales
Gold, Koz 595 601 -1%
Silver, Moz 9.9 10.3 -4%
Gold equivalent, Koz[12] 695 719 -3%
Headcount 12,083 11,715 +3%
Health and safety
LTIFR[13] 0.07 0.23 -70%
Fatalities - 2 -100%
CORPORATE UPDATE
? In March 2020, Polymetal acquired a 9.1% stake in ThreeArc, 100% owner
of the Tomtor project, through a US$ 20 million cash investment into newly
issued share capital. The proceeds will be used to complete the Tomtor
pre-feasibility study and initial JORC-compliant ore reserve and mineral
resource estimate. Tomtor is one of the largest and highest grade rare
earth elements (REE) projects in Russia and considered to be the highest
grade development stage niobium (Nb) project globally.
? In April 2020, VTB invested US$ 35 million in cash in exchange for newly
issued Amikan (Veduga) share capital resulting in VTB holding a 40.6%
stake in the asset. These cash-in proceeds will be used to fund the
Project's ongoing exploration and development costs. As part of
transaction VTB was granted a put option to sell its stake in Amikan to
Polymetal at certain conditions, along with the similar call option
granted to Polymetal. Both put and call options are to be settled in
Polymetal shares.
? In June 2020, Polymetal entered into a preliminary lease agreement to
lease on pre-agreed terms the single-circuit 110 kV grid power line
running from Khandyga to Nezhda production site and the related
substation. The power line will be built, owned and operated by an
independent grid management company. The construction will be funded with
the Far East and Arctic Development Fund 10-year senior loan, guaranteed
by the Group, and Credit Bank of Moscow subordinated loan facility. The
completion and commencement date of lease scheduled for second quarter
2022.
? During 1H 2020, the Group disposed non-core assets (Irbychan Gold, PGGK
and North Kaluga) with the total consideration amounting to US$ 32
million, including cash proceeds of US$ 23 million and deferred
consideration of US$ 9 million.
Conference call and webcast
Polymetal will hold a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, 26 August
2020 at 12:00 London time (14:00 Moscow time).
To participate in the call, please dial:
From the UK:
+44 330 336 9125 (local access)
0800 358 6377 (toll free)
From the US:
+1 646 828 8143 (local access)
800 263 0877 (toll free)
From Russia:
+7 495 213 1767 (local access)
8 800 500 9283 (toll free)
To participate from other countries, please dial any of the local access
numbers listed above.
Conference code: 5168315
To participate in the webcast follow the link:
https://webcasts.eqs.com/polymetal20200826 [1].
Please be prepared to introduce yourself to the moderator or register.
A recording of the call will be available at +44 207 660 0134 (from the UK),
+1 719 457 0820 (from the USA) and 8 10 800 2702 1012 (from Russia), access
code 5168315, from 17:30 Moscow time Wednesday, 26 August till 17:30 Moscow
time Wednesday, 2 September 2020. Webcast replay will be available on
Polymetal's website (www.polymetalinternational.com [2]) and at
https://webcasts.eqs.com/polymetal20200826 [1].
About Polymetal
Polymetal International plc (together with its subsidiaries - "Polymetal",
the "Company", or the "Group") is a top-10 global gold producer and top-5
global silver producer with assets in Russia and Kazakhstan. The Company
combines strong growth with a robust dividend yield.
Please find the full PDF version of the announcement at the link at the
bottom of the page.
Enquiries
Media Investor Relations
FTI +44 20 3727 Polymetal ir@polymetalinternational.com
Consulting 1000
Evgeny +44 20 7887 1475 (UK)
Leonid Fink Monakhov
Viktor Timofey
Pomichal Kulakov
+7 812 334 3666 (Russia)
Kirill
Kuznetsov
Joint Corporate Brokers
Morgan +44 20 7425 RBC +44 20 7653 4000
Stanley 8000 Europe
Limited
Andrew
Foster Marcus
Jackson
Richard
Brown Jamil
Miah
Panmure
Gordon +44 20 7886
2500
James
Stearns
John Prior
Forward-looking statements
This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be,
"forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements speak only as
at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words
"targets", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may",
"anticipates", "would", "could" or "should" or similar expressions or, in
each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies,
plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking
statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their
nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company's control that
could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company
to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the
company's present and future business strategies and the environment in
which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could
cause the company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ
materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The
company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in the company's expectations with regard thereto or any
change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements
are based.
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[1] The financial performance reported by the Group contains certain
Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) disclosed to compliment measures
that are defined or specified under International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS). For more information on the APMs used by the Group,
including justification for their use, please refer to the "Alternative
performance measures" section below.
[2] Profit for the financial period.
[3] On a cash basis, representing cash outflow on purchases of property,
plant and equipment in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
[4] Totals may not correspond to the sum of the separate figures due to
rounding. % changes can be different from zero even when absolute amounts
are unchanged because of rounding. Likewise, % changes can be equal to zero
when absolute amounts differ due to the same reason. This note applies to
all tables in this release.
[5] Excluding Kapan in 1H 2019 (disposed in January 2019). This note applies
to all tables in this release.
[6] Defined in the "Alternative performance measures" section below.
[7] In accordance with IFRS, revenue is presented net of treatment charges
which are subtracted in calculating the amount to be invoiced. Average
realised prices are calculated as revenue divided by gold and silver volumes
sold, excluding effect of treatment charges deductions from revenue.
[8] 1H 2020: Special and final dividend for FY 2019 paid in 2020. 1H 2019:
Final dividend for FY 2018 paid in May 2019.
[9] 1H 2020: interim dividend for FY2020. 1H 2019: interim dividend for
FY2019.
[10] On a last twelve months basis. Adjusted EBITDA for 2H 2019 was US$ 672
million.
[11] Based on 120:1 Ag/Au conversion ratio.
[12] Based on actual realised prices.
[13] LTIFR = lost time injury frequency rate per 200,000 hours worked.
Attachment
File: Half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June 2020 [3]
ISIN: JE00B6T5S470
Category Code: IR
TIDM: POLY
Sequence No.: 82873
EQS News ID: 1123225
End of Announcement EQS News Service
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August 26, 2020 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
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