World number one platinum-miner Anglo Platinum (AngloPlat) on Monday announced that it has reduced its refined platinum target for its 2006 financial year to between 2,7-million ounces and 2,8-million ounces (oz) from its previous target of 2,9-million oz.
When AngloPlat first announced its platinum-mining expansion programme in 2000, it set its platinum production target at 3,5-million oz.
The group also announced that it is aiming to produce 2,6-million oz of platinum in 2005.
For its 2004 financial year, AngloPlat produced 2,454-million oz, up 6% from 2,308-million oz in 2003.
“AngloPlat’s results were slightly disappointing, especially the adjustment down in its platinum production targets,” an analyst said.
At 10.45am, AngloPlat’s shares on the JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) were quoted at R227,50, down 1.2% or R2,80 from its previous close.
AngloPlat also announced a 17% increase in its headline earnings per share to 1Â 138,2 cents for its 2004 year, compared with 972,4 cents in the group’s 2003 year.
Revenue for the year rose to R19,625-billion, up from R16,509-billion in 2003.
AngloPlat announced that its cash operating cost per equivalent refined platinum ounce rose by 9,2% in 2004.
The group had previously set itself the target of reducing its cost increases to South African consumer price inflation. In 2004, CPIX averaged 4,3%.
The increase in cash operating cost per equivalent refined platinum ounce would have been 7,2% if the impact of the strike at the group’s operations in October on production was excluded.
The increase of 9,2% comprises an 11,2% unit cost increase at the mines, which was offset by unit cost reduction across the group’s smelting and refining operations.
In 2004, AngloPlat embarked on a restructuring programme that cost R191-million and this restructuring will see labour savings of R100-million in 2005, AngloPlat said.
The group’s cash and cash equivalents at the end of December 2004 was R2,365-billion up from R569-million at the end of December 2003.
On safety, AngloPlat saw 24 fatalities at its operations and three fatalities at the Modikwa joint venture in 2004.
On prospects, AngloPlat said it sees capital expenditure of R6-billion in 2005.
However, the group added that while it is expecting an increase in sales and production in 2005, the volatility of the rand/dollar exchange rate makes it difficult to predict its earnings in 2005.
“Demand for the metal continues to be strong and, given the existing currency environment and the outlook for supplies, it is supportive of platinum prices at levels of $800 an ounce and above.
“The substantial demand from the Chinese jewellery industry is proving resilient at these prices,” AngloPlat said. — I-Net Bridge