Thungela Resources reports solid performance in first Interim Results since listing.
- Operating profit of R990 million for the reporting period
- Adjusted EBITDA of R1,888 million
- Robust financial position with net cash of R3 billion
Thungela Resources Limited (“Thungela” or the “Company”) today reports a strong set of interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2021. This follows the successful listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange on 7 June 2021.
July Ndlovu, CEO of Thungela, commented:
Regrettably, we had a loss of life at our Goedehoop Colliery. Our condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of Moeketsi Mabatla. Thungela reaffirms its commitment to achieving a fatality-free business.
Benefitting from higher global thermal coal prices driven by the continued demand from South Asian markets for high quality thermal coal and global supply constraints, Thungela generated operating profit of R990 million and Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended 30 June 2021 close to R1.9 billion, while the statement of financial position showed a strong net cash position of R3 billion.
Thungela delivered earnings per share of 313 cents and headline earnings per share of 305 cents for the reporting period. This includes the impact of two significant once-off adjustments; the restructuring costs and termination benefits of R386 million, as well as the fair value adjustment of R584 million on the derivative relating to the Capital Support Agreement with Anglo American.
“The majority of Thungela’s coal is exported and its revenue was positively impacted by the benchmark thermal coal price which strengthened by 47% compared to H1 2020, however, the strengthening of the Rand offset some of the gains.
Thungela implemented actions prior to the Demerger which has improved the quality of its portfolio by taking higher cost production out of the business. In particular, the Bokgoni pit of the Khwezela operation was placed on care and maintenance during Q1 of this year.
Export saleable production volumes, on a comparable basis, decreased by 9% to 7.1Mt mainly as a result of the Bokgoni pit being placed on care and maintenance, offset by the ramp up at the Navigation pit at Khwezela. Equity export sales also declined by 8% to 6.6Mt, primarily as a result of the lower saleable production volumes for the six months ended 30 June 2021, and also as a result of lower than planned railings due to the underperformance of Transnet Freight Rail. The rail line operator’s performance challenges are attributable to theft of infrastructure and equipment failures mainly related to locomotives.
Thungela ended the period with a strong net cash position of R3.0 billion. From 1 June 2021, Thungela operated as a standalone business having received an initial cash injection of R2.5 billion.
In a landmark empowerment transaction, Thungela’s Employee and Community Partnership Plans each hold a 5% fully funded interest in Thungela’s coal operations in South Africa and are set to benefit from the financial value that the company will generate.
The first distribution of R6 million to the Community Partnership Plan was made on 30 June 2021. Trustees have been appointed and plans are underway to appoint an administrator to ensure the Trust delivers on its mandate.
Thungela’s results are not directly comparable with the prior period as a result of an internal restructuring process which separated the South African Thermal Coal Operations, and the various non-thermal coal operations within Anglo American in preparation for the Demerger. One mine is included in the comparative period versus the seven mining operations which currently form part of Thungela. This impacts on both the operational and financial performance and hence Thungela also developed pro forma financial information which seeks to compare the current reporting period with the prior period on a like for like basis.
Outlook
We confirm the guidance for Export Saleable Production of between 15Mt and 16Mt and flat FOB cost per export tonne of R830 for the full year.
Capital expenditure is now expected to be on the low end of the range (R2.6 billion to R3 billion) previously provided for the full year.
With continued strong prices as well as improved performance by TFR through the remainder of the year, Thungela is set to achieve a positive adjusted operating free cash flow for the remainder of 2021.
We are committed to the stated dividend policy of paying 30% of the cash flows from operating activities, after funding our sustained capital expenditure and a strong balance sheet coupled with the above paves the way for Thungela to consider the declaration of a maiden dividend at the annual results for 2021.
ENDS