New $300 million credit facility with Development Bank of Kazakhstan and PXF update

KAZ Minerals PLC (“KAZ Minerals” or “the Group”) announces that it has reached agreement on a new $300 million credit facility with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (“DBK”) which is scheduled to be signed on 14 December 2016.

The DBK facility will finance the completion of the Aktogay project which began commissioning of its main sulphide concentrator on 6 December 2016. The facility is expected to be fully drawn before the year-end and extends for a term of 8.5 years until final maturity in June 2025. The loan is repayable in instalments with the first repayment due in June 2018, followed by semi-annual repayments in May and November of each year from 2019 until 2024 and a final repayment in June 2025. The facility bears an interest rate of US dollar LIBOR +4.50% and contains a financial covenant which is the same as the Group’s loan facilities with the China Development Bank, based on a ratio of total liabilities to total assets, with adjustments to mitigate the translation impact of movements in the US dollar/tenge exchange rate.

The Group also announces that an increased commitment by ING Bank N.V. in the Pre-export finance facility (“PXF”) has been agreed for an additional $50 million under the accordion feature. The additional commitment is expected to be drawn before the year-end. The total amount outstanding under the PXF as at 31 December 2016, including the additional drawing, is expected to be approximately $283 million. As previously announced, the Group intends to resume discussions with the PXF bank syndicate over a longer-term refinancing of the facility, after release of its 2016 financial statements.

Following the previously announced waiver obtained from the PXF lenders, the Group has also received a waiver from Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Limited in relation to testing of the Net Debt to EBITDA covenant on 31 December 2016 under the $50 million CAT facility.

Andrew Southam, Chief Financial Officer of KAZ Minerals, said: “We are pleased to have secured a new, long-term facility of $300 million from the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and to have increased ING Bank N.V.’s participation in the PXF facility by $50 million, ahead of a planned refinancing in the first half of 2017. These transactions demonstrate the Group’s ability to access diversified sources of finance and the strong support KAZ Minerals enjoys from its lenders.”

Please follow the link to read the full announcement.

 

Pre-Export Finance Facility Covenant Waiver

KAZ Minerals PLC (“KAZ Minerals” or “the Group”) announces that a waiver of the Net Debt to EBITDA financial covenant in the Group’s PXF facility due to be tested as at 31 December 2016 has been approved. The covenant is next due to be tested as at 30 June 2017.

The Group continues to enjoy strong support from its lenders and plans to resume discussions with the PXF bank syndicate over a longer term refinancing of the facility in early 2017, after release of the 2016 financial statements.

A similar waiver request has also been issued to Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Limited in respect of the Group’s $50 million revolving credit facility and a formal response is expected shortly.

Half-Yearly Results 2016

Kaz minerals PLC HALF-YEARLY REPORT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 June 2016

 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Group copper cathode equivalent production increased by 43% in H1 2016 to 52.6 kt (H1 2015: 36.7 kt)
  • Bozshakol ramping up with over 60% of ore throughput capacity achieved in August to date
  • On track to achieve commercial production in H2 2016
  • Group copper guidance narrowed to 135-145 kt and gold to 95-115 koz
  • Commissioning works in Q2 limited output, full year Bozshakol copper output now expected to be 45-55 kt
  • Strong copper and gold output in H1 from East Region and Bozymchak
  • Silver guidance increased to 2,500-2,750 koz, as Bozshakol achieves payable silver grade during ramp up

 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • EBITDA $115 million (H1 2015: $88 million)
  • Gross EBITDA of $147 million (H1 2015: $94 million)
  • Includes $28 million of capitalised EBITDA from Bozshakol and $4 million from Aktogay oxide
  • Operating profit of $68 million (H1 2015: $15 million)
  • East Region and Bozymchak net cash cost of 72 USc/lb (H1 2015: 121 USc/lb)
  • Gross cash cost falls 34% to 178 USc/lb (H1 2015: 270 USc/lb)
  • Impact of devaluation of tenge and cost measures
  • Gross cash cost guidance for 2016 reduced to 190-210 USc/lb
  • Bozshakol gross cash cost guidance for 2016 reduced to 140-160 USc/lb
  • Gross funds of $1,056 million as at 30 June 2016, net debt $2,531 million
  • Financing outlook improved by ramp up at Bozshakol and reduced capital budget at Aktogay

 MAJOR GROWTH PROJECTS

  • Aktogay sulphide to commence production in H1 2017
  • Capital budget reduced by $100 million to $2.2 billion
  • Oxide project declared commercial from 1 July 2016
  • Bozshakol clay plant to be commissioned later in 2016

 OUTLOOK

  • Copper production growth to continue in second half as Bozshakol ramps up
  • Final construction of Aktogay sulphide ahead of commissioning in H1 2017

  

$ million (unless otherwise stated)

Six months

ended

30 June 2016

Six months

ended

30 June 2015

Revenues1

 302

 341

Earnings:

 

 

EBITDA (excluding special items)2

 115

 88

Profit before tax

 91

 2

Underlying Profit

 76

 2

EPS:

 

 

Basic and diluted ($)

 0.16

 (0.03)

Based on Underlying Profit3 ($)

 0.17

 0.01

 

 

 

Cash flow from operations

(63)

(91)

Free Cash Flow4

 (65)

 (55)

Free Cash Flow4 before interest

 20

 30

 

 

 

Gross cash cost5 (USc/lb)

 178

 270

Net cash cost6 (USc/lb)

 72

 121

1    Revenues for the six months ended 30 June 2015 include $22 million of cathode (3.6 kt) that was purchased to compensate for variances in monthly cathode output.

2   EBITDA (excluding special items) is earnings before interest, taxation, the non-cash component of the disability benefits obligation, depreciation, depletion, amortisation, mineral extraction tax and royalties, adjusted for special items and excluding the performance of assets in pre-commercial production.

3   Reconciliation of EPS based on Underlying Profit is found in note 9.

4   Net cash flow from operating activities before capital expenditure and non-current VAT associated with expansionary and new projects, less sustaining capital expenditure.

5   East Region and Bozymchak cash operating costs, excluding mineral extraction tax and royalties and purchased cathode, divided by the volume of own copper cathode sales. East Region’s standalone gross cash cost was 270 USc/lb in the first half of 2015.

6   East Region and Bozymchak cash operating costs, excluding mineral extraction tax and royalties and purchased cathode, less by-product revenues, divided by the volume of own copper cathode equivalent sales. East Region’s standalone net cash cost was 125 USc/lb in the first half of 2015.

Oleg Novachuk, Chief Executive, said: “We have continued to deliver on our strategy of high growth, low-cost copper in the first half of 2016 with production increasing by 43%, including the first significant contributions from Bozshakol and Aktogay. We have also been able to further reduce our operating costs with 34% lower gross cash costs in the East Region and Bozymchak supporting an improved EBITDA despite weaker commodity prices. Our growth is set to accelerate as Bozshakol continues its ramp up in the second half of the year followed by the commissioning of Aktogay sulphide in the first half of 2017.”

PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Notice of 2016 Half-Yearly Results

KAZ Minerals PLC will announce its half-yearly results for the six months ended 30 June 2016 on Thursday 18 August 2016 at 7.00am (UK time).

A presentation for analysts will be held in the Theatre & Theatre Gallery at the London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7LS on Thursday 18 August 2016 at 9.15am (UK time).

The presentation for analysts can also be accessed by conference call on Thursday 18 August 2016 at 9.15am (UK time). The dial-in details are as follows:

Telephone: +44(0)20 3003 2666

Please quote the password: KAZ Minerals

A webcast of the presentation for analysts will also be available on the KAZ Minerals website (www.kazminerals.com).

 

Preliminary Results 2015

KAZ MINERALS PLC AUDITED RESULTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Group EBITDA of $202 million
    • East Region and Bozymchak EBITDA of $240 million

 

  • Strong cost control in a low commodity price environment
    • Gross cash cost of 230 USc/lb, below guidance of 260-280 USc/lb
    • Net cash costs of 109 USc/lb, first quartile operations
    • Sustaining capital expenditure limited to $68 million, below guidance of $80 – $100 million

 

  • Significant liquidity
    • Available funds of $1,501 million, includes $250 million of undrawn facilities at 31 December 2015
    • Net debt $2,253 million as at 31 December 2015

 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Achieved production targets for all metals
    • Underlying copper in concentrate production of 89 kt
    • Copper cathode production of 81 kt, in line with guidance of 80-85 kt
    • All by-products in line or ahead of guidance

 

MAJOR GROWTH PROJECTS ON TRACK

 

  • Bozshakol
    • Mining activity ramping up, 7 million tonnes of ore mined in 2015
    • Copper concentrate production commenced in February 2016
    • Production guidance for 2016: 45-65 kt copper cathode equivalent and 50-70 koz gold bar equivalent
    • $50 million reduction in project capital budget

 

  • Aktogay
    • 3 million tonnes of oxide ore mined in 2015
    • Oxide operations contributed initial copper cathode production in 2015
    • Production guidance for 2016: 15 kt of copper cathode from oxide operations
    • Sulphide operations on schedule for 2017 start up

 

OUTLOOK

 

  • Industry leading copper production growth of over 50% per annum to 2018
    • Group’s copper cathode equivalent production to increase to 130-155 kt in 2016

 

  • Continued focus on cost control
    • Gross cash cost guidance for 2016:
    • East Region and Bozymchak 200-220 USc/lb
    • Aktogay oxide 110-130 USc/lb
    • Bozshakol 150-170 USc/lb

$ million (unless otherwise stated)

2015

2014

Revenues 1

 665

 846

EBITDA (excluding special items) 1

 202

 355

Profit/(loss) before taxation 1

 12

 (169)

Underlying (Loss)/Profit 1

 (10)

 86

EPS – basic and diluted ($) 2

 (0.03)

 (5.28)

EPS – based on Underlying Profit ($)1,3

 (0.02)

 0.19

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow

 (145)

 (31)

Free Cash Flow before interest 4

 2

 119

 

 

 

Gross cash cost (USc/lb) 1,5

 230

 257

Net cash cost (USc/lb) 1,6

 109

 85

 

 

 

Net debt

 2,253

 962

1  2014 reflects continuing operations only.

2  Group basic and diluted EPS in 2014 includes the net loss on divestment of the Disposal Assets ($2.3 billion) and the profit on disposal of Ekibastuz GRES-1 ($0.2 billion).

3  Reconciliation of EPS based on Underlying Profit is found in note 10(b).

4  Net cash flow from operating activities before interest, capital expenditure, non-current VAT and accruals associated with expansionary and new projects, less sustaining capital expenditure on tangible and intangible assets. Free Cash Flow reflects continuing and discontinued operations for the year end 31 December 2014.

5  Group cash operating costs excluding mineral extraction tax, divided by the volume of copper cathode equivalent sales. The full year cash operating costs for 2014 include East Region costs only on an allocated basis prior to the Restructuring of the business. The second half of 2014 gross cash cost of 277 USc/lb is considered more representative of the performance of the East Region as a stand-alone business.

6 Group cash operating costs excluding mineral extraction tax less by-product revenues, divided by the volume of copper cathode sales. The full year cash operating costs for 2014 include East Region costs only on an allocated basis prior to the Restructuring of the business. The second half of 2014 net cash cost of 107 USc/lb is considered more representative of the performance of the East Region as a stand-alone business.

 

Oleg Novachuk, Chief Executive, said: “In 2015 we made excellent progress in the delivery of our major growth projects, Bozshakol and Aktogay, and the operating mines in the East Region and Bozymchak hit their production targets at a first quartile net cash cost of 109 USc/lb. Our immediate priorities in 2016 are the ramp up of Bozshakol, the construction of Aktogay and to keep operating costs low across the Group. The delivery of our world class projects will enable us to de-gear the balance sheet and complete our transformation into a low-cost operator of large scale, open pit copper mines in Kazakhstan.”

PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Notice of the Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2015

KAZ Minerals PLC will announce its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2015 on Thursday 25 February 2016 at 7.00am (UK time).

A presentation for analysts will be held in room 149/150 at Linklaters LLP, One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ at 9.00am (UK time).

The presentation for analysts can also be accessed by conference call at 9.00am (UK time). The dialin details are as follows:

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 3003 2666

Please quote the password: KAZ Minerals

A webcast of the presentation for analysts will also be available on the KAZ Minerals website (www.kazminerals.com).

PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT

 

 

Contractor Payment Deferral

KAZ Minerals PLC (“KAZ Minerals” or “the Group”) announces that it has reached agreement with its principal construction contractor, Non Ferrous China (“NFC”), to defer payment of $300 million relating to the Group’s Aktogay project. Under the revised terms, $300 million of construction costs which were scheduled to be paid in 2016 and 2017 will be settled in the first half of 2018. There is no change to the overall amount payable to NFC or the project budget of $2.3 billion. Aktogay remains on-track to commence production from oxide ore in 2015 and production from sulphide ore in 2017.

Oleg Novachuk, Chief Executive, said: “The deferral of $300 million to 2018 provides KAZ Minerals with additional liquidity during the construction and ramp up of Bozshakol and Aktogay. This agreement also demonstrates the strength of our relationship with NFC and continues our strong track record of securing support from our partners in China for these strategically important copper projects.”

Please follow the link to download the full announcement

 

Half-Yearly Results 2015

Kaz minerals PLC HALF-YEARLY REPORT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 June 2015

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • EBITDA of $88 million, excludes $6 million capitalised contribution from Bozymchak
  • East Region EBITDA of $109 million
  • Strong operating cost management
  • Gross cash cost of 270 USc/lb versus previous guidance of 280-300 USc/lb
  • Full year gross cash cost guidance reduced to 260-280 USc/lb
  • East Region achieved competitive net cash cost of 125 USc/lb
  • Positive operating cash flow
  • Free Cash Flow before interest of $30 million
  • Sustaining capital expenditure limited to $25 million
  • Significant liquidity
  • Funds available of $2,210 million at 30 June 2015: $1,460 million of cash and $750 million of undrawn facilities
  • $50 million revolving credit facility signed with Caterpillar in August 2015
  • Net debt $1,589 million as at 30 June 2015

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Solid first half output
  • Underlying copper in concentrate production of 43 kt
  • On-track to achieve 2015 cathode production target of 80-85 kt
  • Zinc and silver output to achieve top end of guidance range

MAJOR GROWTH PROJECTS

  • Bozshakol
  • Fire on 14 August 2015 currently expected to result in commissioning commencing in the first quarter of 2016 with no change to the capital budget
  • Installation of processing equipment largely complete, now in testing phase
  • Pit fully dewatered, pre-production mining activities underway
  • Aktogay
  • 1,075 kt of oxide ore with grade of 0.35% extracted and placed on pads as at 31 July
  • SX/EW processing facilities close to completion ahead of first cathode production in the fourth quarter
  • Sulphide plant construction proceeding on schedule for 2017 start up

OUTLOOK

  • Launch of growth projects, 2015 copper guidance maintained
  • Initial production from Aktogay oxide in 2015
  • Repairs to be undertaken at Bozshakol whilst continuing final construction and testing work
  • Close control of costs and sustaining capital expenditure
  • Release of smelter work in progress to support cathode production in second half

Oleg Novachuk, Chief Executive, said: “Bozshakol and Aktogay progressed well in the first half of 2015, with pre-production mining activities underway and Aktogay on course for initial copper cathode production from oxide ore later this year. At Bozshakol, our preliminary assessment following the fire that occurred in the concentrator building on 14 August is that commissioning is currently expected to be delayed to the first quarter of 2016, with no change to the capital budget. As a result of the East Region’s solid operational performance and cost control measures we are on track to achieve our full year copper production guidance at a reduced gross cash cost.”

Please follow the link to DOWNLOAD the full announcement

 

 

New revolving credit facility

KAZ Minerals PLC (“KAZ Minerals” or “the Group”) announces the signing of a new $50 million revolving credit facility (“RCF”) with Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Limited (“Cat Financial”), a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc.. Caterpillar Inc. is a major supplier of mining equipment to the Group’s Bozshakol and Aktogay projects.

The RCF is available for drawing for three years from the date of signing, following which the facility is repayable in four equal quarterly instalments. An interest rate of USD LIBOR plus 4.25% is payable on amounts outstanding under the RCF. The financial covenants on the RCF are identical to those applicable to the Group’s existing pre-export finance facility.

Andrew Southam, Chief Financial Officer, said: “This new facility with Cat Financial provides KAZ Minerals with additional liquidity during the construction and ramp-up of our major growth projects and broadens the Group’s debt portfolio.”

Please follow the link to DOWNLOAD the full announcement

 

Notice of 2015 Half-Yearly Results

KAZ Minerals PLC will announce its half-yearly results for the six months ended 30 June 2015 on Thursday 20 August 2015 at 7.00am (UK time).

A presentation for analysts will be held in the Theatre at the London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7LS at 9.15am (UK time).

The presentation for analysts can also be accessed by conference call at 9.15am (UK time). The dial-in details are as follows:

Telephone: +44(0)20 3003 2666

Please quote the password: KAZ Minerals

A webcast of the presentation for analysts will also be available on the KAZ Minerals website

(www.kazminerals.com).

Please follow the link to download the full announcement