Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement
17 September 2024
Bushveld Minerals Limited
("Bushveld Minerals" "Bushveld" or the "Company")
Unaudited Interim results for the six-months ended 30 June 2024
Bushveld Minerals Limited (AIM: BMN), the integrated primary vanadium producer, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.
Following the previously announced sale of the Vanchem vanadium processing plant ("Vanchem") to Southern Point Resources Fund I S.A. LP ("SPR"), Vanchem has been classified as 'a discontinued operation' and 'held for sale'. Vanchem's operational results for the current and comparative periods are presented as discontinued operations in the Group's consolidated interim statement of profit or loss and its assets and liabilities are presented separately under current assets and current liabilities, respectively, in the Group's consolidated interim statement of financial position at 30 June 2024.
H1 2024 Financial Highlights from continuing operations
· Revenue (primarily Vametco) of US$25.6 million (H1 2023: US$55.1 million)
· Group Sales of 949 mtV (H1 2023: 1,428 mtV)
· Average realised price of US$26.9/kgV (H1 2023: US$38.6/kgV)
· Cost per unit sold including sustaining capital of US$42.9/kgV (H1 2023: US$30.8/kgV)
· Adjusted EBITDA1 loss of US$14.3 million (H1 2023: US$12.6 million profit)
· Operating loss of US$18.6 million (H1 2023: US$7.9 million profit)
· Net loss of US$45.0 million (H1 2023: net loss US$12.5 million)
· Free cash outflow2 of US$18.1 million (H1 2023: outflow of US$2.7 million)
· Cash and cash equivalents of US$1.0 million (31 December 2023: US$1.3 million)
· Net debt3 of US$124.0 million (31 December 2023: US$105.7 million)
1 Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA, excluding the Group's share of losses from investments in associate and joint venture, fair value gain on derivative liability and other losses.
2 Free cash flow defined as operating cash flow less sustaining capital.
3 Net debt is total debt plus lease liabilities less cash and cash equivalents.
Group Priorities and Post-Period Update
· Optimising operations and right-sizing the organisation to ensure that Vametco is a cash-generating asset, expecting to achieve an annualised savings of US$8-10 million by 2025 year-end, including the following initiatives:
o Reducing the current labour complement at Vametco and Head Office.
o Reducing costs by transferring purchases of certain goods and services to longer term contracts.
o Reducing raw material consumption by ensuring assets are running efficiently.
o Implementing several operational initiatives for yield improvements from kiln to finished goods.
· Complete outstanding conditions of the Vanchem sale, expecting to receive Competition Commission approval at the end of October 2024 and complete final documentation.
· Focused on receiving the outstanding balance of funds due in 2024 from SPR.
· Attaining sustainable production at Vametco of 240 mtV per month by Q4 2024.
· Complete the sale of certain non-core assets - Lemur Holdings Limited ("Lemur") and Bushveld Electrolyte Company ("BELCO").
· Cash balance of US$4.1 million as at 31 August 2024.
· OMF Fund III (F) Limited's ("Orion") US$10 million matched funding received post-period end.
· As announced on 14 August 2024, the Company secured the total amount of US$12 million of the SPR interim working capital facility announced on 07 May 2024.
· In discussions with Joint Venture ("JV") partner for the transfer of liabilities from BELCO and removal of a guarantee provided by Bushveld amounting to ZAR28.75 million (c.US$1.5 million).
· Received approval from the Development Bank of
Investor session
Bushveld Minerals Chief Executive Officer, Craig Coltman and Chief Financial Officer, Robbie Taylor, will host an investor session on Thursday 19th September 2024 at 14:00pm BST (15:00pm SAST) via the Investor Meet Company platform to discuss the operational update.
The session is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Investors can submit questions via Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 9:00am the day before the meeting. Pre-submitted questions will be prioritised.
Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and register for the event via:
https://www.investormeetcompany.com/bushveld-minerals-limited/register-investor
Investors who already follow Bushveld Minerals on the Investor Meet Company platform will automatically be invited.
Craig Coltman, CEO of Bushveld Minerals commented:
"The Company experienced a challenging start to the financial year given severe funding constraints leading to the inability to run our assets efficiently. This is clearly reflected in these financial results. However, Bushveld has remained steadfast in its commitment to rationalise assets, and implement a range of cost-cutting measures in what is now our core asset, Vametco.
The sale of Vanchem is expected to be concluded, with approval from the Competition Authorities expected by end October 2024.
As outlined in our Q2 and H1 operational update, May was a standout month at Vametco, reaching its highest monthly output since the beginning of my tenure of 217 mtV, demonstrating the early success of some of our turnaround efforts.
Additionally, we saw the successful receipt of the final instalment of US$2 million from SPR, completing the total US$12 million interim working capital facility initially secured in May 2024. In a further boost to our position, we received the full US$10 million of the matched funding facility from Orion. These milestones have enabled us to maintain momentum in our turnaround journey, but the Company remains focused on managing our working capital situation and is dependent on a significant amount of funds from SPR for the balance of funds due in 2024."
Enquiries : info@Bushveldminerals.com
Bushveld Minerals Limited |
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+27 (0) 11 268 6555 |
Craig Coltman, Chief Executive Officer |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker |
+44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
Richard Morrison / Charlie Bouverat |
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Grant Barker / Abigail Wayne |
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Hannam & Partners |
Joint Broker |
+44 (0) 20 7907 8500 |
Andrew Chubb / Matt Hasson / Jay Ashfield |
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Tavistock |
Financial PR |
+44 (0) 207 920 3150 |
Gareth Tredway / Tara Vivian-Neal / James Whitaker |
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ENDS
ABOUT BUSHVELD MINERALS LIMITED
Bushveld Minerals is a primary vanadium producer. It is one of the world's three primary vanadium producers, offering compelling exposure to vanadium through its upstream asset.
Detailed information on the Company and progress to date can be accessed on the website www.bushveldminerals.com.
Chief Executive Officer's Review
Dear stakeholders,
The financial results for the first six months of 2024 reflect a challenging first half of the year for the Company.
We entered the period on the front foot, having completed a fund raising at the end of 2023 that was intended to help us reduce creditors and secure availability of goods and services, along with pricing based on longer term contracts.
For reasons previously explained, this funding was not immediately forthcoming and the Company was forced to continue to run on a hand-to-mouth basis for several months. The pre-announced sale of Vanchem, and US$10 million in matched funding have since strengthened our position, and we remain focused on managing our working capital situation, but we remain dependent upon SPR for the balance of funds due in 2024.
In addition, Orion agreed to amend the terms of the agreements entered into for the convertible loan note refinancing announced on 1 February 2024, importantly extending the first repayment date on the term loan to 31 December 2025 (previously 30 June 2024).
The major factor out of our control in this regard, remains the Vanadium price, which continues to trade at levels which place pressure on the ability of our operations to generate meaningful positive cash flow.
As a result of these, and other factors, the Company recorded an adjusted and underlying EBITDA loss from continuing operations of US$14.3 million, and an operating loss of US$18.6 million. Both adjusted EBITDA loss and operating loss were higher than the prior year due to lower realised prices and lower sales volumes, partially offset by lower costs of sales. While revenue of US$25.6 million from continuing operations was 54% lower than the prior year due to a 30% decrease in the average realise price to US$26.9/kgV and a 34% decrease in sales to 949 mtV.
The cost of sales, excluding depreciation, from continuing operations for the first half of 2024 was US$28.3 million, which was US$1.4 million lower than the prior period primarily due to lower variable production costs.
Production cash costs for continuing operations for the quarter and half year were $32.8/kgV, driven by higher raw material costs, lower production volumes due to earlier constraints, and maintenance expenses. As production continues to stabilise and increase due to our turnaround strategy, we anticipate a reduction in Vametco's costs in the second half of the year. We are targeting weighted average production cash costs for the Group of between $26.7/kg and $27.1/kg, with total Group production projected between 3,800 mtV and 4,000 mtV. Assuming Vanchem's production is excluded for the last two months of the year (with Competition Commission approval expected to be received at the end of October 2024), total year Group production guidance will reduce by 400 mtV.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
Bushveld Minerals has continued its efforts to streamline operations and drive efficiencies, and the Company remains committed to its strategy of asset rationalisation, which includes cost-cutting measures and a reduction in headcount, while simultaneously making significant strides in the turnaround initiative at Vametco. The programme has already delivered improved production volumes and enhanced operational stability, despite supplier challenges. A stabilised power supply, secured through our agreement with the local municipality, has further enabled steady production, and as a result of these measures, our outlook remains strong for the remainder of 2024 into 2025.
In Q2, Bushveld reported production at Vametco of 548 mtV, and 905 mtV for the half year. Notably, May was a standout month at Vametco, with production reaching 217 mtV - the highest monthly output since my tenure began a year ago. This performance underscores the success of our ongoing turnaround efforts at Vametco, which has now become our core asset.
Despite financial constraints earlier in the year and a planned 25-day maintenance shutdown in January and February, we have laid a strong foundation for further improvements. With additional initiatives set to be implemented at Vametco in the second half of the year, we are on track to achieve our goal of 240 mtV of sustainable monthly production by Q4 2024.
Furthermore, during this period, Bushveld has continued to progress its asset rationalisation strategy. While no definitive agreement has been reached, we are in discussions with our JV partner, the Industrial Development Corporation, regarding the transfer of ownership of BELCO, which would include all liabilities and a guarantee of approximately US$1.5 million from Bushveld. We have also received approval from DBSA to proceed with the disposal of Lemur, which will result in Bushveld no longer being accountable for the outstanding US$2.5 million debt on the asset, contingent on certain conditions being met.
Following shareholder approval in June, we are now advancing the sale of Vanchem, with approval from the Competition Commission expected by the end of October 2024.
Health and Safety
I'm pleased to report that in H1 2024, TRIFR reduced by over 60% to 1.30 from 3.39 in H1 2023, reflecting the successful implementation of the Safety Diagnostic Audit and a strategic focus on leading indicators, which have collectively contributed to a notable reduction in safety incidents.
2024 priorities and outlook
Bushveld also renegotiated agreements with Orion during the period, which include additional funding commitments matching those paid by SPR.
As mentioned, post-period end, Bushveld Minerals has made significant strides in strengthening its financial position and supporting the execution of our turnaround strategy at Vametco.
We announced the successful receipt of the final instalment of US$2 million from SPR, completing the total US$12 million interim working capital facility that was initially secured in May 2024. In addition, Orion agreed to match SPR's additional funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to a maximum of US$10 million, and received approval by SARB and secured the full US$10 million from Orion, as announced 02 September 2024.
The combined funding of US$22 million from SPR and Orion will significantly enhance our working capital position, allowing us to reduce our long outstanding creditor balances, support our ongoing turnaround initiatives at Vametco, and cover transaction costs. We have also commenced work on critical cost-cutting and development initiatives aimed at returning the Company to profitability and securing its long-term future.
Looking ahead, I am focused on executing the Company's asset rationalisation and turnaround strategies at Vametco, positioning the company as a simple, fast and effective business.
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
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Unit |
H1 2024 |
% change |
H1 2023 |
Revenue |
US$m |
25,6 |
-54% |
55,1 |
Cost of sales |
US$m |
(32,4) |
-6% |
(34,3) |
Other operating income and costs |
US$m |
(5,5) |
-7% |
(5,9) |
Administrative costs |
US$m |
(6,3) |
-10% |
(7,0) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
US$m |
(34,3) |
-432% |
10,3 |
- continuing operations |
US$m |
(14,3) |
-214% |
12,6 |
- discontinued operation |
US$m |
(19,9) |
763% |
(2,3) |
Underlying EBITDA |
US$m |
(21,9) |
-313% |
10,3 |
- continuing operations |
US$m |
(14,3) |
-214% |
12,6 |
- discontinued operation |
US$m |
(7,6) |
229% |
(2,3) |
Average foreign exchange rate |
US$/ZAR |
18,73 |
3% |
18,21 |
Group production |
mtV |
1 693 |
-5% |
1 784 |
- continuing operations |
mtV |
905 |
-22% |
1 167 |
- discontinued operation |
mtV |
788 |
28% |
617 |
Group sales |
mtV |
1 639 |
-22% |
2 096 |
- continuing operations |
mtV |
949 |
-34% |
1 428 |
- discontinued operation |
mtV |
690 |
3% |
668 |
All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") |
US$/kgV |
47,1 |
41% |
33,4 |
- continuing operations |
US$/kgV |
42,9 |
40% |
30,8 |
- discontinued operation |
US$/kgV |
52,8 |
36% |
38,9 |
Average realised price |
US$/kgV |
25,1 |
-33% |
37,4 |
- continuing operations |
US$/kgV |
26,9 |
-30% |
38,6 |
- discontinued operation |
US$/kgV |
22,5 |
-36% |
34,9 |
The sale of Vanchem was considered to be highly probable as at 30 June 2024. Vanchem was therefore accounted for as held for sale and its operating results for the current and comparative period were reported as discontinued operations.
The financial results for the first six months reflect a challenging start to the year for the Company. The Company recorded an adjusted EBITDA loss of US$14.3 million from continuing operations and an adjusted EBITDA loss of US$19.9 million from discontinued operations and an operating loss of US$18.6 million. Both adjusted EBITDA loss and operating loss were lower than the prior year due to lower realised prices and lower sales volumes, partially offset by lower costs of sales.
Income statement
The income statement summary below is adjusted from the primary statement presentation.
In US |