KCM Extract from 2018 Annual Report

Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) reported total revenue of K12,251.43 million (US$1,283.0 million) for the financial year ended 31st March 2018 [(2017:K8,621.47 million (US$874.3 million)]. The increase in revenue was attributed to higher metal prices and increased sales volumes. The net loss for the year was at K1,102 million (US$115.4 million) [(2017: K1,367.72 (US$138.7 million loss)].

Total finished copper production during the financial year increased by 9 percent to 195,300 tonnes for the year ending March 2018 (2017: 179 800 tonnes) compared to the previous financial year.

During the year under review, KCM mine metal production volumes remained subdued as lower feed grades and lower copper recoveries at the Tailings Leach Plant offset improvements in production output at both Nchanga and Konkola.

Moving forward, KCM’s strategy continues to be underpinned by vigorously pursuing higher operating productivity levels at the Konkola underground mine, improving recoveries at the Tailings Leach Plant facility, increasing utilisation of the smelter and cost containment.

There were no dividends declared during the year under review (2017: Nil).

Kariba Minerals Ltd Extract from 2018 Annual Report

Kariba Minerals Limited (KML) reported total revenue of K17.18 million for the year ended 31 March 2018 (2017: K20.64 million). KML reported a net loss of K10.22 million during the financial period under review (2017: K3.45 million loss).

For the year ended 31st March 2018, KML produced a total of 627.52 tonnes of commercial grade amethyst (2017: 712.18 tonnes) and produced 3.54 tonnes of high grade amethyst (2017: 1.86 tonnes). KML ore production was at 11,273 tonnes (2017: 10,517 tonnes). KML held an auction in February 2018 in Jaipur, India during the period under review. A total of 3.35 tonnes of high grade amethyst valued at US$270,000 was sold at the auction. Additionally, KML introduced 1.50 tonnes of a new medium grade amethyst at the auction for the first time and it sold above its reserve price. KML going forward plans to have a schedule of the new medium grade amethyst at the auction.

There were no dividends declared during the financial year under review (2017: Nil).

Maamba Colliers LTD Extract from 2018 Annual Report

Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) reported total revenue of K1,172.00 million (US$122.73 million) for the year ending 31st March 2018 [(2017: K100.38 (US$10.18 million)] and had profit after tax of K148.87 million (US$15.59 million) [(2017:K211.2 million (US$2.15 million)]. The increase in revenue and profits was due to the recording of all revenue and costs from the Thermal Power Plant from the commercial operating date in August 2017. The company’s assets exceeded its liabilities by K1,172.1 million (US$123.50 million) as at 31st March 2018 (2017: K1,037.1 million (US$107.92 million). Additionally, the company had accumulated losses amounting to K675 million (US$70.69 million) [(2017: K842.72million (US$87.69 million)].

During the year under review, the 300MW Thermal Power Plant together with the 330kV Transmission Line and Kariba Water Pumping System were taken over from the respective Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractors by MCL. MCL is now operating and maintaining the facilities through its Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Contractor.

MCL extracted 530,030 tonnes of high grade coal (2017: 355,126 tonnes) and 120,893 tonnes of low grade coal (2017: 188,325 tonnes). Coal transported to the Power Plant was at 1,076,216 tonnes (2017: 555,810 tonnes). The Coal Handling and Processing Plant throughput was at 168,934 tonnes (2017: 199,487 tonnes).

The revenue and financial position of the company is expected to improve going forward given the commissioning of the Thermal Power Plant.

There were no dividends declared during the year under review (2017: Nil).

Kansanshi Mining Plc Extract from 2018 Annual Report

Kansanshi Mining Plc (KMP) had sales revenue of K15.66 billion (US$1.64 billion) [(2016: K 14.51 billion US$1.5 billion)] for the financial year ended 31st December 2017. Gross profit of K6,263.65 million (US$656 million) was higher than that the K1,929.18 million (US$188 million) reported in 2016 on a combination of the increase in sales revenues and lower operating costs.

Copper production for the financial year ended 31st December 2017 was 250,801 tonnes, 1% lower than 2016 (253,272 tonnes) primarily due to lower plant recovery on the sulphide circuit, reflecting the drive to improve the concentrate quality and treatment of weathered material and lower copper recovery on the oxide circuit caused by changes in the ore mineralogy. Copper production was also impacted by reduced mixed final tails processed through the leaching circuit before and during the third quarter smelter shutdown to manage the onsite acid inventory.

Gold production was 140,595 ounces, about 5% lower than in 2016 mainly due to lower concentrate production. AISC (All-in Sustaining Cost) of $1.54 per lb. was $0.03 per lb. lower than 2016. Higher deferred stripping and royalties, treatment and refining charges and a lower gold by-product credit were offset by a credit to site administration costs. The credit followed a review of recoverable costs and operational provisions in the second and third quarters. Higher royalty costs resulted from higher royalty rates, which range from 4% to 6% depending on the underlying copper price.

The Kansanshi Smelter achieved record production and throughput in 2017, having treated 1,211,740 DMT (Dry Metric Tonnes) of concentrate, a 6% increase over 2016 despite the planned third quarter shutdown. Production totalled 297,553 tonnes of copper anode and 1,128,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid, each 16% and 2% higher respectively than 2016. The quality of concentrate treated improved significantly with over 26% copper in concentrate grade compared to 23% recorded during 2016. The overall copper recovery rate achieved was 96%. Production in 2018 is expected to be approximately 240,000 tonnes of copper, and approximately 145,000 ounces of gold. The High Pressure Leach circuit is expected to be in operation throughout 2018, with a 70-day planned maintenance shutdown for relining expected to occur during the second and third quarter of 2018.

At the Board meeting held on 22 March 2018, the Directors proposed dividend payments of K740 million (US$78 million), split as K180 million (US$19 million) related to the year-end 31st December 2016 and K560 million (US$59 million) for the year ended 31st December 2017.

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines Extract from 2018 Annual Report

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines Plc (CNMC) recorded a turnover of K2,559 million (US$268 million) for the year ended 31st December 2017 (2016: K1,701 million (US$172 million). The profit after tax was K 353 million (US$37 million) (2016: K3.79 million (US$ 0.397 million loss)).

CNMC planned to produce 33,000 tonnes of copper in 2017, the actual volume produced was 43,177 tonnes as a result of increased mined volumes at Muliashi mine. Baluba mine remained under care and maintenance during the year with the total care and maintenance costs being K121.26 million (US$12.9 million) in 2017. Works to bring it back into production commenced in the first quarter of 2018.

There were no dividends declared during the year under review (2016: Nil).

CEC Africa Extract from 2018 Annual Report

Revenue for year ended 31st December 2017 largely remained relatively flat at K2,070.2 million (US$216.8 million), a 6% decrease from the previous year. This is despite the slight improvement in billing efficiency at Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (AEDC) on the back of low energy supply growth.

The company incurred a net loss for the year ended 31 December 2017 of K2,578.5 million (US$270.05 million) [(2016: Loss K 942.73 million (US$91.87 million)] and, at that date the company’s total liabilities exceeded total assets by K3,171.58 million (US$318.65 million) [(2016: K479.58 million (US$48.60 million)]and the current liabilities exceeded its current assets by K6,279.87 million (US$631.00 million) (2016: K3,331.73 million US$337.63 million).

The Group continued to expend significant effort to further restructure the US Dollar denominated acquisition finance facility that was obtained from UBA to finance the acquisition of 60% of AEDC through KANN Utility Company Limited (KANN). Interest payments on the facility are current.
In Nigeria, the implementation of the Power Sector Recovery Program (PSRP) commenced signalling the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure commercial viability of the entire power sector value chain, including, ultimately delivering optimal benefit to the end users. In the short to medium term, it is expected that the application of the PSRP principles will turn the CEC Africa asset, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (AEDC) into a profit making entity.

No dividends were declared and paid by the Company during the year (2016: Nil).

METS Extract from 2017 Annual Report

Misenge Environmental and Technical Services Limited (METS) earned a total of K8.80 million as revenue for the year ended 31st March 2017 (2016: K6.22 million).

K2.63 million of the total revenue, was realised from recurring services to ZCCM-IH (2016: K5.15 million) and K6.17 million was from non-ZCCM-IH sources (2016: K1.10 million). METS recorded a loss before tax of K1.25 million (2016: K2.90 million loss).

During the year under review, ZCCM-IH advertised for the purchase of Fume extractors and Dust extractors to be installed at the Kabwe Analytical Laboratory. When the remaining works at the laboratory are complete, METS will be in a position to provide more analytical services at the laboratory and increase revenue.

There were no dividends declared during the year under review (2016: Nil).

CEC Extract from 2017 Annual Report

The Company continued to be listed on the LuSE and has 50% direct shareholding in CEC Liquid Telecommunications Limited, a joint venture company registered and domiciled in Zambia. CEC Liquid Telecom wholly owns Hai Telecommunications Limited.

During the financial year ending 31st December 2016, adjusted EBITDA was K888.12 million (US$90 million) compared to K520.35 million (US$80 million) the previous period posting an increase of 12.5% average. The increase in adjusted EBITDA is attributed to increased power trading income and the aggressive cost management initiatives, which impacted positively on the results.

Revenue at K3,503.14 million (US$355 million) was equivalent to the revenue in 2015 despite a drop of about 15% in domestic power supplies which had an equivalent reduction in domestic power sales from K2,743.3 million (US$278 million) to K2,180.83 (US$221 million.)

The increase in power trading supplies resulted in an overall increase of 86% in power trading revenue, which compensated for the drop in domestic power sales. Overall, domestic power sales remain the prime revenue source contributing 62% of the total revenue down from 78% the previous year, with power trading revenue increasing from 18% the previous year to 34% of total revenue.

The demand for electricity is expected to increase following plans to ramp up production on account of NFCA’s South East body project, MCM’s Synclinorium and KCM’s Konkola Deep Mining Project.

CEC Liquid Telecom continues to outperform past financial and operational results. Revenue at K207.23 (US$21 million) grew at 17% while gross margin and EBITDA increased by 10% and 33% respectively. The above financials are based on consolidated results of CEC Liquid Telecom incorporating Hai. The company, during the year, secured long term funding to support its expansion projects; mainly new backhaul bandwidth fibre connecting Zambia to Botswana and Namibia. This enables the creation of a robust network, reinforcing the strategy of operating the Zambian network as a regional hub. Further, the business commissioned its first investment in LTE spectrum, a wireless solution for provision of connectivity solutions as an alternative to fibre solution. Further investments are planned in this area to grow the business and realize the expected market disruption.

Effective 30th December 2016, CEC Africa was separated from the CEC Group and is now a sister company to CEC Plc rather than its wholly owned subsidiary. At an EGM held on 9th December 2016, the shareholders, on the proposal of the board, resolved to dividend out CEC Africa as a distribution to the shareholders of CEC. Hence, a dividend in specie of CEC Africa from CEC Plc to its shareholders was made. The effect of that transaction is that both CEC Plc and CEC Africa are now held by the same shareholders. The action was premised on the assumption that shareholders must be allowed to measure the performance of the two entities separate from each other as they face very different risks, and to enable the shareholders retain any upside that may occur in CEC Africa in the future.

The future business outlook for CEC Plc is positive, with growth expected to be derived from the increase in local power supply demand arising from the commissioning of new mine projects currently under construction.

The positive outlook in the copper price demand forecast has further ignited mining activities in Zambia and the DRC, creating an opportunity for increased demand. Lastly, growth is expected to come from the strategy around power trading and focus on the DRC mining supplies market in addition to the support for industry-wide cost reflective tariffs.

During the year, the Company paid out two dividends to its ordinary shareholders, the first being a cash dividend of K161.84 million (US$16.4 million) paid in the first quarter of 2016. The second dividend was a dividend in specie of CEC Africa of K9.68 (US$1). This dividend was paid on 30th December 2016.

The CEC Board on Tuesday, 7th February 2017 recommended an interim dividend of US Cents 1.29 per ordinary share, which translates to 12.80 Ngwee (K0.1280) per share, using the Bank of Zambia mid-rate applicable on the date of declaration. The dividend was paid to the shareholders registered in the share register of the Company at the close of business on Friday, 3rd March 2017.

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NFC Africa Mining Plc Extract from 2017 Annual Report

NFC Africa Mining Plc (NFCA) recorded a turnover of K1,716.05 million (US$173.9 million) for the financial year
ending 31st December 2016 (2015: K677.11 million (US$104.1 million) as a result of increased sales volumes.

NFCA recorded a loss after tax of US$31.1 million (2015: K45.8 million loss).

NFCA continues to work on the development of the South East Ore Body project. The company reported project expenditure of K2,666.33 million (US$270.2 million) as at 31st December 2016. Total planned project investment is K8,537.65 (US$832 million). Once completed, the project is expected to extend the life of the mine for 20 years. The design and annual capacity at full production is estimated at 3.3 million tonnes of ore containing 60 000 tonnes of copper.

There were no dividends paid during the year ended 31st December 2016 (2015: Nil).

Ndola Lime Company Ltd Extract from 2017 Annual Report

Ndola Lime Company Limited (NLC) reported total revenues for the financial year ended 31st March 2017 of K89.6 million (2016: K196.6 million) and a loss before tax of K1,163 million (2016: K82.3 million loss).

Major contributors to the loss was lower sales of 75.7% (K279.4 million) below budget, impairment of the plant amounting to K861 million, finance costs and penalties on overdue Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) tax obligations totalling K93.7 million.

Ndola Lime Company (“NLC”) has been working on optimizing a second vertical kiln (“VK-2”) to be powered by coal that will result in additional capacity of 500 tonnes per day. The primary objectives of the VK2 is to substitute the inefficient and out-dated operations of the Rotary Kiln and reduce operational expenses attributable to the use of Heavy Fuel Oil (“HFO”) through the use of coal. Following the perennial escalation in costs related to the Recapitalization Project (RP) and adverse financial performance from the latter half of 2013 onwards, owing to a myriad of factors including significant escalations in the price of HFO, loss of market share, ZCCM-IH resolved to finance the completion of the RP which has cost about $105 million to date. The hot commissioning of the project started in December 2015. However, the commissioning of the project has been met with a lot of challenges.

There were no dividends declared during the year under review (2016: Nil).