Thursday, 29 August 2024

 

Gem Diamonds Limited

Half Year 2024 Results

 

Gem Diamonds Limited (LSE: GEMD) ("Gem Diamonds", the "Company" or the "Group") announces its Half Year Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (the "Period").

 

FINANCIAL RESULTS:

·      Revenue of US$78.0 million (H1 2023: US$71.8 million)

·      Underlying EBITDA of US$19.1 million (H1 2023: US$8.4 million)

·      Profit for the Period of US$5.5 million (H1 2023: US$1.5 million)

·      Attributable profit of US$2.1 million (H1 2023: loss of US$1.0 million)

·      Earnings per share of 1.5 US cents (H1 2023: loss per share of (0.7) US cents)

·      Cash on hand of US$30.0 million as at 30 June 2024 (US$21.6 million attributable to Gem Diamonds) and unutilised facilities of US$54.9 million

·      Net debt of US$8.4 million (31 December 2023: US$21.3 million)

 

OPERATIONAL RESULTS:

Letšeng

·      Three lost time injuries

·      Recovered 55 873 carats (H1 2023: 50 601 carats)

·      Waste tonnes mined of 3.2 million tonnes (H1 2023: 4.8 million tonnes)

·      Ore treated of 2.5 million tonnes (H1 2023: 2.5 million tonnes)

·      Average value of US$1 366 per carat achieved (H1 2023: US$1 373 per carat)

·      The highest dollar per carat achieved for a white rough diamond during the Period was

US$41 007 per carat

 

Safety performance

Letšeng recorded three LTIs during the Period (2023: two), resulting in an LTIFR and AIFR of 0.36 (2023: 0.10) and 0.60 (2023: 0.67), respectively. Each of the LTIs in the Period had minor consequences and were fully investigated with corrective actions to prevent repeat occurrences implemented.

 

Diamond market

The diamond market remains under significant pressure which has negatively impacted prices achieved during the Period. An increase in both the number of larger than 100 carat diamonds and overall diamond recoveries aided in offsetting the market impact on prices.

 

Operational performance

Focused cost and operational efficiency initiatives undertaken at Letšeng since H2 2023, have resulted in enhanced plant stability, increased overall plant utilisation, increased carats recovered and an improvement in large diamond recoveries. Eight diamonds greater than 100 carats were recovered during the Period compared to two in H1 2023. Post Period end, two more diamonds greater than 100 carats were recovered.

 

Letšeng full year guidance

In line with continued mine plan optimisation and efforts to contain costs, the full year guidance for waste tonnes mined has been revised down to 5 - 6 million tonnes.

 

The full year guidance on carats recovered and carats sold has been revised upwards due to the improved operational performance. Carats recovered have been revised to 98 - 101 kcts and carats sold have been revised to 100 - 103 kcts.

 

All other guidance as issued in March 2024 remains unchanged.

 

 

Commenting on the results today, Clifford Elphick, Chief Executive Officer of Gem Diamonds, said:

 

"The pressure on the global diamond market persists which negatively impacted the revenue generated during the Period. We have, however, had great success in improving our operational outputs and cost containment which mitigated the market impact on diamond prices. In line with the improved performance, we have revised our guidance for 2024."

 

The Company will host a live audio webcast presentation of the half year results today, 29 August 2024, at 9:30 BST. This can be viewed on the Company's website: www.gemdiamonds.com.

 

The page references in this announcement refer to the Half Year Report 2024, which can be found on the Company's website: www.gemdiamonds.com.

 

The Gem Diamonds Limited LEI number is 213800RC2PGGMZQG8L67

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Gem Diamonds Limited

Kiki Constantopoulos, Company Secretary

ir@gemdiamonds.com

 

Celicourt Communications

Mark Antelme / Felicity Winkles

Tel: +44 (0) 207 777 6424    

 

ABOUT GEM DIAMONDS:

Gem Diamonds is a leading global diamond producer of high value diamonds. The Company owns 70% of the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. The Letšeng mine is famous for the production of large, exceptional white diamonds, making it the highest dollar per carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world.

 

INTERIM BUSINESS REVIEW

OVERVIEW

The Group presents its results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (the Period), achieving an underlying EBITDA of US$19.1 million (H1 2023: US$8.4 million) and an attributable profit of US$2.1 million (H1 2023: attributable loss of US$1.0 million).

The global economy remains subdued with the International Monetary Fund currently forecasting a 3.2% and 3.3% growth for 2024 and 2025, respectively. International conflicts, geopolitical tensions and national elections in major economies taking place in 2024 have created significant uncertainty which is curbing a return to improved sustainable growth. The risk of higher inflation has increased, which in turn raises the risk of higher interest rates for longer periods, exacerbating the cost of living crisis.

The troubled global economy may however be positively influenced by certain factors, including China managing through its property crisis and tightening controls around its shadow banking industry; and the US Federal Reserve potentially implementing an interest rate cut in September, with other central banks expected to follow suit. Another positive indication is that other economies, such as the UK, Canada, Sweden and Switzerland, have recently implemented modest interest rate cuts.

The global diamond market remains under significant pressure primarily due to the challenging global economic environment. In addition, Russian diamonds are reported to be entering the market despite imposed sanctions, therefore still adding to the overall rough diamond supply. The manufacturing of lab-grown diamonds continues to increase despite the steady decrease in prices, impacting the smaller, commercial rough diamond market. These factors have cumulatively placed severe pressure on rough and polished diamond prices during the Period. In response, De Beers recently cut its 2024 production guidance by 10% and Petra Diamonds has postponed its August/September tender to support steps taken by major producers to restrict supply in this weaker market.

Revenue for the Group increased by 9% to US$78.0 million compared to US$71.8 million in H1 2023, resulting in an average price of US$1 366 per carat (H1 2023: US$1 373 per carat) from the sale of 56 994 carats (H1 2023: 52 163 carats). Although similar overall prices were achieved in H1 2023, an increase in both the number of larger than 100 carat diamonds and overall diamond recoveries aided in offsetting the market impact on prices in the Period.

The Group ended the Period with a cash balance of US$30.0 million (31 December 2023: US$16.5 million) and drawn down facilities of US$38.4 million (31 December 2023: US$37.8 million), resulting in a net debt position of US$8.4 million (31 December 2023: US$21.3 million) and unutilised available facilities of US$54.9 million (31 December 2023: US$45.9 million).

Focused cost and operational efficiency initiatives taken at Letšeng were reported in the Group's Annual Report and Accounts 2023 published in March. These initiatives included a change in leadership, a right-sizing programme, the insourcing of its mining and certain other activities and the interrogation of all contracts and operational and capital expenditure. The Group is pleased to report that there have been no operational disruptions following the insourcing and that the positive outcomes of this and other initiatives have come to fruition, and are reflected in the operational and financial results for the Period.

Waste tonnes mined during the Period were 3.2 million tonnes (H1 2023: 4.8 million), in accordance with the 2024 mine plan. Ore tonnes treated were 2.5 million tonnes (H1 2023: 2.5 million), and 55 873 carats were recovered (H1 2023: 50 601). Eight greater than 100 carat diamonds were recovered and six were sold during the Period.

The safety of our workforce remains a top priority. The critical control management strategy that commenced in 2021 to drive further improvement in the maturity of the organisational safety culture at Letšeng has been fully implemented and our safety performance during the Period remained solid with an all injury frequency rate (AIFR) of 0.60.

We remain focused on achieving our decarbonisation target of reducing our 2021 Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. The Group achieved a 3.4% reduction in carbon emissions compared to H1 2023, the details of which are briefly discussed in the Operations Review.

LOOKING AHEAD

The key focus areas for the remainder of 2024 are:

·      extension of the Group's revolving credit facilities that expire in December 2024;

·      further reducing mining costs and optimising activities following the insourcing at the end of 2023;

·      reducing treatment costs through contract review and/or insourcing; and

·      reviewing Letšeng's long term mine plan to reduce waste mining.

 

OPERATIONS REVIEW

H1 2024 IN REVIEW

•     Zero fatalities and three lost time injuries (LTIs)

•     Zero significant or major environmental or social incidents

•     Recovered eight diamonds greater than 100 carats (H1 2023: two)

•     Achieved an average price of US$1 366 per carat (H1 2023: US$1 373 per carat)

•     The highest price achieved was US$41 007 per carat for a 62.78 carat white diamond

SUSTAINABILITY

Health, safety and environment

We remain committed to prioritising health and safety throughout the organisation, with a zero harm and zero tolerance policy. Our focus on thoughtful, caring yet firm practices with leadership committed to proactive safety-focused initiatives has resulted in significant safety improvements. The Group maintained its high standard of safety achieving an AIFR of 0.60 in the Period. We acknowledge however, that we recorded three LTIs in the Period, with minor consequences. Each of these LTIs were fully investigated and corrective actions to prevent repeat occurrences were implemented.

No major or significant environmental incidents occurred at any of the Group's operations during the Period.

Corporate social responsibility investment (CSRI)

In H1 2024 focus was maintained on executing our CSRI strategy and initiatives to support our communities, our social licence to operate and our commitment to our adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our 2022 to 2026 five-year CSRI strategy remains on track, aligning to our community needs and Group objectives. No major or significant stakeholder complaints were received during the Period.

Carbon emissions

We are working towards our decarbonisation target of reducing our 2021 Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. Improving energy-use efficiency and reducing the consumption of diesel and electricity remain our immediate and top priorities, while appropriate alternative low-carbon and renewable energy sources are being considered.

Carbon

In H1 2024, the Group's total carbon footprint (Scope 1, 2 and 3) was 52 283 tCO2e, a 3.4% reduction compared to H1 2023 which was 54 138 tCO2e. Although the aggregate Scope 1 and 2 emissions for H1 2024 was on par with H1 2023, the individual emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 inversely fluctuated due to reduced load shedding by Eskom. In H1 2024, Letšeng experienced 331 hours of load shedding, a reduction of 73.5% compared to 1 249 hours in H1 2023. This led to increased grid availability and use (Scope 2) and a decrease in diesel consumption due to reduced generator usage (Scope1).

Letšeng continually reviews its entire operation to ensure it operates optimally and with effective cost management to secure its sustainability, especially considering the impact of market pressure on its ability to generate revenue.

The insourcing of Letšeng's mining activities at the end of 2023 has delivered both operational efficiencies and cost savings with the fleet and execution of its mine plan now directly under management's control. This has provided flexibility and synergies in the optimal utilisation of the fleet and eliminated additional expenses for ad hoc mining and operational requirements, including activities related to concurrent rehabilitation and other necessary "day works".

Right-sizing to align the workforce to operational requirements has continued on a smaller scale in 2024 following the mine-wide programme that was completed in June 2023.

All operational contracts are being reviewed to ensure efficiencies and effective cost management.

GHAGHOO

The Ghaghoo Diamond Mine in Botswana remains on care and maintenance and Gem Diamonds is implementing an appropriate rehabilitation plan, including the demobilisation and removal of the processing plant from site. On completion, should an option to sell the mine not present itself, the mining license will be relinquished to the Botswana Department of Mines.

 

GROUP FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

H1 2024 IN REVIEW

 

•     Revenue achieved of US$78.0 million (H1 2023: US$71.8 million)

•     Underlying EBITDA2 of US$19.1 million (H1 2023: US$8.4 million)

•     Attributable profit of US$2.0 million (H1 2023: loss of US$1.0 million)

PROFITABILITY AND LIQUIDITY

1 Including waste stripping amortisation costs but excluding depreciation and mining asset amortisation.

2 As defined in Note 6, Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and mining asset amortisation (underlying EBITDA) of the condensed notes to the consolidated interim financial statements.

 

The Group generated an underlying EBITDA2 of US$19.1 million (H1 2023: US$8.4 million). The profit attributable to shareholders was US$2.0 million (H1 2023: loss of US$1.0 million), equating to a profit per share of 1.5 US cents (H1 2023: loss per share of 0.7 US cents) on a weighted average number of shares in issue of 142.9 million (H1 2023: 141.6 million shares).

Revenue

US$ million	H1 2024	H1 2023
Sales - rough	77.9	71.7
Sales - polished margin	0.6	0.1
Impact of carrying over rough diamonds	(0.5)	-
Group revenue	78.0	71.8

The Group's revenue of US$78.0 million was mainly generated by the sale of 56 994 carats at an average price of US$1 366 per carat. Additional revenue is generated through an arrangement with two diamond manufacturing customers to supply polished diamonds to some of the world's most premium luxury brands, and other partnership arrangements. These agreements allow the Group to share in the margin uplift on the sale of polished diamonds. In H1 2024, additional revenue of US$0.6 million was generated from these arrangements.

Costs

The Group closely manages its costs and preserves cash resources to maintain appropriate liquidity. Operating expenses were negatively impacted by the volatile global economic environment and the resultant inflationary pressures. The reduction in grid electricity interruptions in South Africa experienced during the Period has resulted in some cost savings from the reduced volumes of diesel required to operate generators.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Total direct cash costs at Letšeng, including waste costs, decreased 22% to LSL809.5 million from LSL1 040.8 million in H1 2023. This is due to the 35% decrease in waste tonnes mined, significant cost savings following the insourcing of mining activities at the end of 2023 and the review of all aspects of its business from a cost perspective. Reduced load shedding has led to significantly lower volumes of diesel consumption, resulting in a material cost reduction. In addition, H1 2023 included once-off costs such as severance packages and consulting fees relating to the right-sizing programme. As a result direct cash costs decreased by 18% to LSL243.84 per tonne treated in H1 2024 compared to LSL296.54 in H1 2023.

Non-cash accounting charges comprise waste capitalisation and inventory and stockpile movement. The lower cost per tonne treated in H1 2023 were driven by the significant increase in the ore stockpile tonnes during that period. In the current Period, similar stockpile levels were maintained.

1 Direct mine cash costs represent all operating costs, excluding royalty and selling costs.

2 Non-cash accounting charges include waste stripping cost amortised, inventory and ore stockpile adjustments, and the impact of adopting IFRS 16 Leases, and exclude depreciation and mining asset amortisation.

CORPORATE EXPENSES

Corporate office costs are incurred to provide expertise in all areas of the business to realise maximum value from the Group's assets. These costs are incurred by the Group through its technical and administrative offices in South Africa (in South African rand) and head office in the UK (in British pounds).

General corporate costs are closely managed and ongoing rationalisation has resulted in costs decreasing to US$4.0 million (H1 2023: US$5.2 million).

GHAGHOO

The Ghaghoo Diamond Mine in Botswana remains on care and maintenance and Gem Diamonds is discussing various alternatives with affected stakeholders, including the potential closure of the mine and relinquishment of the mining license to the Government of Botswana. The care and maintenance costs of US$0.5 million (H1 2023: US$0.8 million) are included in other operating expenses and are net of income of US$0.2 million from the sale of scrap material and previously impaired vehicles and equipment. The decrease in cash costs is due to ongoing initiatives to reduce costs, such as the installation of a solar power plant which eliminated the need for generator rentals, diesel usage and transport.

EXCHANGE RATE IMPACTS

While revenue is generated in US dollars, the majority of operational expenses are incurred in the relevant local currency of the operational jurisdictions. Local currency rates for the Lesotho loti (LSL) (pegged to the South African rand) and Botswana pula (BWP) weakened slightly against the US dollar compared to H1 2023, which decreased the Group's US dollar reported costs and increased local currency cash flow generation.

Letšeng has a LSL100.0 million general banking facility that is reviewed annually. The Group engages regularly with lenders and credit providers to ensure access to funding and to manage the Group's cash flow requirements.

Summary of loan facilities as at 30 June 2024:

1 A reduction of 0.05% on the margin of the Nedbank portion of the revolving credit facilities was effective from 1 January 2024 as the KPIs relating to the Sustainability Linked Loans were met as at the 31 December 2023 measurement date.

Taxation

The forecast effective tax rate for the full year is 44.2% (31 December 2023: 72.0%) and has been applied to the actual results. The effective tax rate is above the Lesotho statutory tax rate of 25% primarily as a result of deferred tax assets not recognised on losses incurred in non-trading operations and the impact of certain non-deductible expenses for tax purposes. The decrease in the tax rate compared to 2023 is due to the higher profits generated by Letšeng.

There has been no change to the amended tax assessment that was issued to Letšeng by the Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) in December 2019, contradicting the application of certain tax treatments in the current Lesotho Income Tax Act, 1993. There has therefore been no change in the judgement applied and the accounting treatment compared to that disclosed in the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts.

Going concern

The projections of the Group's current and expected profitability, considering reasonable possible changes in operations, key assumptions and inputs, indicate that the Group will be able to operate as a going concern for the foreseeable future. Refer to the financial statements on page 9.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Group's principal risks and uncertainties, both current and emerging, that could have a material financial, operational and compliance impact on its performance and long-term growth, are presented in the Annual Report and Accounts for 2023 (pages 21 to 26). The Group's principal risks as presented in the Annual Report and Accounts for 2023 remain unchanged in the medium to long term and take into consideration current market and operational conditions of the Group's operations and global markets. The Group's risk management strategy aims to manage Group risk in such a way as to minimise threats and maximise opportunities.

The Group monitors and manages areas of unpredictability, in particular the prevailing rough diamond market conditions.

 

Clifford Elphick

Chief Executive Officer

28 August 2024

 

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF THE HALF-YEAR REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

PURSUANT TO DISCLOSURE AND TRANSPARENCY RULES (DTR) 4.2.10

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and that the Half-Year Report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and DTR 4.2.8R, namely:

(a)  an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on this condensed set of financial statements; and

(b)  material related-party transactions in the first six months of the year and any material changes in the related-party transactions described in the Gem Diamonds Limited Annual Report 2023.

The names and functions of the Directors of Gem Diamonds Limited are listed in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

 

For and on behalf of the Board

Michael Michael

Chief Financial Officer

28 August 2024

 

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

 

 

1  Other reserves relate to Foreign currency translation reserves and Share-based equity reserves. Refer Note 14, Issued share capital and reserves  for further detail.

 

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

1 Unaudited

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

1    CORPORATE INFORMATION

 1.1     Incorporation and authorisation

The holding company, Gem Diamonds Limited (the Company), was incorporated on 29 July 2005 in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and is domiciled in the United Kingdom (UK). The Company's registration number is 669758.

The financial information shown in this report relating to Gem Diamonds Limited and its subsidiaries (the Group) was approved by the Board of Directors on 28 August 2024, is not audited or reviewed by the auditor and does not constitute statutory financial statements. The report of the auditor on the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts was unqualified.

The Group is principally engaged in operating diamond mines.

2    BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES    

2.1    Basis of preparation

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (the Period) have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act, 2006. The financial information for the year to 31 December 2023 included in this report was derived from the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023, a copy of which has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on these accounts was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of an emphasis of matter and did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act, 2006.

Going concern

The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out on pages 1 to 3. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are described in the Group Financial Performance on pages 4 to 7. The Group's net debt at 30 June 2024 was US$8.4 million (31 December 2023: US$21.3 million). The Group's available undrawn facilities at 30 June 2024 amounted to US$54.9 million (31 December 2023: US$45.9 million), resulting in liquidity (defined as net debt/cash and available undrawn facilities) of US$46.5 million (31 December 2023: US$24.6 million). The gross liquidity position
of the Group (defined as gross cash and available undrawn facilities) as at 30 June 2024 is US$84.9 million (31 December 2023: US$62.4 million). The Group's Revolving Credit Facilities (RCF), which total US$71.1 million when fully unutilised, mature on 22 December 2024. In addition, there is a US$5.5 million general banking facility with no set expiry date, which is reviewed annually
(Refer Note 16, Interest-bearing loans and borrowings).

The impact of the current diamond market conditions, the ongoing Russian invasion on Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza were considered in assessing future cash flows. The Group's RCFs expire on 22 December 2024. The existing facility agreement includes an option to extend the facilities for a period of 24 months (subject to lender approval). The Group exercised this option post Period end and is awaiting lender approval to extend the facility maturity date to 21 December 2026. These facilities have been in place since 2011 and have been renewed on three previous occasions through expanding the lender group and increasing the overall facility amount. The Directors believe that in considering the future cash flows, the long-standing relationships with the wider lender group and the history of the successful renewals of the facilities, it is expected that the facilities will be successfully extended during 2024 and be in existence for the going concern period of the next 12 months. In the unlikely event that the RCFs are not extended, the Directors believe that various mitigation actions such as the deferment or further optimisation of waste stripping activities could be implemented in the short term.

After making inquiries which include reviews of forecasts and budgets, timing of cash flows and sensitivity analyses, the Group's operations and production levels, the various cost reduction initiatives and considering the likely successful extension of the Group's RCFs, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate financial resources without the use of mitigating actions to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing this half-year report of the Group. These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Group will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future.

2.2    Material accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

New accounting pronouncements which became effective on 1 January 2024 are detailed below and will be adopted in the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts. The amendments to IAS 1 will be assessed in line with the Group's existing facility arrangements and RCFs which are currently being extended. The adoption of the remaining amendments is anticipated to not have an impact on the accounting policies, methods of computation or presentation applied by the Group.

New and amended standards and interpretations

Standards issued but not yet effective

The standards, amendments and improvements that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Group's consolidated interim financial statements are listed in the table below. The standards, amendments and improvements have not been early adopted and it is expected that, where applicable, these standards and amendments will be adopted on each respective effective date. The impact of the adoption of these standards cannot be reasonably assessed at this stage.

2.3    Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The estimates and judgements adopted in the preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements are largely consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The current diamond market, ongoing global conflicts, interest rates and inflationary impact on costs were considered during the Period. The outcome of this review required no material changes to the assumptions used in the judgements and estimates which were applied for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Further details on estimates and judgements applied during the Period are detailed in the Going concern section on page 16, Note 11, Intangible assets and Note 15 Share-based payments. 

3    SEGMENT INFORMATION

For management purposes, the Group is organised into geographical units as its risks and required rates of return are affected predominantly by differences in the geographical regions of the mines and areas in which the Group operates or areas in which operations are managed. The below measures of profit or loss, assets and liabilities are reviewed by the Board of Directors. The main geographical regions and the type of products and services from which each reporting segment derives its revenue from are:

•     Lesotho (diamond mining activities);

•     Belgium (sales, marketing and manufacturing of diamonds);

•     BVI, RSA, UK and Cyprus (technical and administrative services); and

•     Botswana (diamond mining activities, currently on care and maintenance)

Management monitors the operating results of the geographical units separately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment.

Segment performance is evaluated based on operating profit or loss. Intersegment transactions are entered into under normal arm's length terms in a manner similar to transactions with third parties. Segment revenue, segment expenses and segment results include transactions between segments. Those transactions are eliminated on consolidation.

Segment revenue is derived from mining activities, polished diamond manufacturing margins and diamond analysis and manufacturing services.

The following tables present revenue from contracts with customers, profit/(loss) for the Period, EBITDA and asset and liability information from operations regarding the Group's geographical segments:

1 Unaudited

2 Audited

3 No revenue was generated in BVI and Cyprus.

4 This includes the adjustment to align the forecast effective tax rate for the full year, to the actual results for the Period. Refer Note 8, Income tax expense.

5 Calculated as cash and short-term deposits less drawn down bank facilities (excluding insurance premium financing and credit underwriting fees). Refer Note 16, Interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

 

Included in revenue for the Period is revenue from two customers who individually contributed 10% or more to total revenue. This revenue in total amounted to US$43.2 million (30 June 2023: US$10.3 million from one customer) arising from the sales reported in the Belgium segment.

Segment assets and liabilities do not include deferred tax assets and liabilities of US$5.3 million and US$81.3 million respectively (31 December 2023: deferred tax asset US$6.8 million, deferred tax liabilities US$82.1 million).

Total revenue for the Period is higher than that of the prior period. Although the dollar per carat achieved of US$1 366 was only marginally lower than the prior period of US$1 373 per carat, the volume of carats sold of 56 994 carats was 9% higher than the prior period of 52 163 carats. There was an improvement in the number of diamonds greater than 10.8 carats recovered during the Period, however the downturn in the rough diamond market continues to negatively impact rough diamond prices.