Investee Companies

Annual Report Summaries

Lubambe Copper Mines Extract from 2018 Annual Report

Lubambe continued with restructuring through downsizing of output and the reduction of related labour cost. The largest contributors to the unit cost savings were a reduction in labour cost due to a 66.00% reduction in expatriate labour, a reduction in stoping dilution obtained through an improvement in the mining stoping method, and a 4.00% increase in plant recoveries obtained through plant optimisation initiatives.

This is the first reporting period in which Lubambe operated in accordance with the reduced production target of 80,000 tonnes of ore per month. The reduced target was implemented in March 2016 to curtail operating losses, save cash and preserve the ore body whilst implementing a strategy to upgrade the underground dewatering infrastructure.

During the period under review a labour restructuring programme was successfully concluded which aligned the total labour complement with the revised lower production rate of 80,000 tonnes per month. Ongoing capital expenditure was curtailed to preserve cash with the majority of expenditure being incurred for mine ramp development.

The Lubambe Extension Project was put on hold until an opportune time when conditions are suitable for additional investment. This high-grade area remains an integral part of the future development of the Lubambe ore body.

Lubambe Copper Mine Limited (Lubambe) reported revenues of K517.37 million (US$54.18 million) for the year ended 31st March 2018 [(2017: K824.92 million (US$ 83.65 million)]. Operating costs were above budget at K1,021.84 million US$107.01 million compared to the K973.62 million (US$101.96 million) target due to increased engineering activity as production was being increased. The loss for the year was K350.4 million (US$36.70 million). Lubambe’s financial year was changed to now run from 1st January to 31st December.

For the 9 months to 31st March 2018 Lubambe’s mined volumes were 840, 376 tons of copper ore, above the target of 808,122 tons as activity was being ramped up. Total contained copper produced over the same period was 14,891 tons, above the target of 14,566 tons.

The historical losses had been caused by the initial challenges Lubambe had faced during the project’s development phase which included flooding, dilution during the mining process due a thin ore body thereby increasing running costs. Dilution was further exacerbated by the wide inter-level vertical spacing which was upwards of 17 meters ramp spacing.

During the year under review, EMR Capital of Australia completed the purchase of the ARM and VALE stakes in Konnoco, thereby gaining an 80% ownership of Lubambe. After the acquisition, EMR Capital put in place various interventions at the mining and ore treatment processes to improve production.

Production had initially been capped at 80,000 tonnes of ore to contain costs but in EMR’s business model this level is deemed to be unsustainable. EMR have ramped up and are targeting to reach the 200,000 tonnes of ore production level by 2019.

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

Chibuluma Mines Extract from 2018 Annual Report

Revenue for the financial year ended 31st December 2017 was K671.24 million (US$70.3 million) [(2016: K541.81 million (US$52.8 million)]. Net profit over the same period was K67.12 million (US$7.03 million) [(2016: Loss of K31.09 million (US$3.03 million)]. Chibuluma Mines Plc’s (CMP) cash position reduced to K7.56 million (US$0.76 million) as at 31st December 2017 [(2016: K16.18 million (US$1.64 million)].

The Chibuluma South ore reserve continued to be depleted during the year, life of mine is now only 2 years. The development of the Chifupu ore body progressed well with Capital developments now upto 418 metre level.

On 27 June 2017, the Company incorporated a wholly owned Subsidiary company, Lufwanyama Mining Manufacturing and Trading Services Limited (LMMTS). This initiative is in response to the remaining short Life of Mine of the Company which is expected to cease operations in 2022. LMMTS commenced operations in August 2017 and during the year it did not trade with any external third parties. As part of the capacity building LMMTS were awarded mine development and support contracts at the Chifupu Mine on a competitive basis.

The company continued implementation of various cost saving and cost containment initiatives to ensure it achieved its set KPI’s and advance from a loss to a profitable position. Management continued focusing on identifying and progressing viable initiatives which would assist in extending the footprint of the Jinchuan/Metorex Group in Zambia beyond the current Life of Mine.

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

Chambishi Metals Extract from 2018 Annual Report

The Company had revenues of K3,470.79 million (US$363.5 million) for the year ended 31st December 2017 ahead of budgeted K2,472.04 million (US$258.9 million). EBITDA was K207.94 million (US$21.7 million) compared to budgeted K276,900 (US$29,000). Copper produced for the 12 months to 31st December 2017 was 36,153 tonnes and 2,520 tonnes of Cobalt was produced.

Chambishi Metals Plc has budgeted US$9 million for capital expenditure for 2018 which has been earmarked for the Acid Plant, Copper and Cobalt Processing and some analytical services.

The Eurasian Resources Group has confirmed its intention to continue to provide financial support to the Company to enable it to continue its operations and meet its obligations.

There were no dividends paid during the year under review (2016: Nil).
Annual Report Summaries

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).
Annual Report Summaries

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).
Annual Report Summaries

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).
Annual Report Summaries

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.
Annual Report Summaries

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).
Annual Report Summaries

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).

Investee Company News

50 families to pave way for 600m Masaiti Cement Plant

ABOUT 50 Households are expected to be displaced to pave way for the construction of a US$600 million dollar Cement factory in Masaiti District on the Copperbelt Province.
ZCCM Investment Holding (IH) Cement Stirring Committee Chairperson.

Mwila Lumbwe said ZCCM-IH is partnering with Central African Cement Limited which is spearheading the development of the project in Masaiti.

In July last year, President Edgar Lungu graced the ground breaking ceremony of the $600 million cement project.

Mr Lumbwe said the project that would take 36 months to complete, would create a thousand jobs in various fields during construction phase and after completion, 400 permanent jobs would be created.

“It is our hope that the people in Chief Chiwala’s area will benefit from the new opportunities that will be created by Central African Cement,” he said.

Mr Lumbwe said the 47 households that would be displaced were in the factory area adding that others that farmed in the same area, would also be compensated, and the value minimum for construction for each house hold would be K108, 000.

He also said the project was said to revive Ndola Lime with the intention of having Ndola Lime supply Lime stone which was the basic product which would help in Cement production.

Mr Lumbwe said it would significantly enhance the capacity of Ndola Lime Company.

He said the Cement factory was one of a few real value added industries in the country because a lot of other products were imported.

Mr Lumbwe said it would enhance value chain in terms of procurement because lime stone would be procured from Ndola Lime while gemstone procured from a gemstone supplier in Mpika which would locally enhance business climate on the Copperbelt.

He said essentially the plant would generate 57 mega watts of power which would be significant for the Zambian economy.

Mr Lumbwe said the plant would use 20 mega watts leaving a surplus of 38 mega watts which would be released into the grid and possibly exported, adding that the plant would bring opportunities for the Zambian economy at large.

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe said the factory would sit 75 hectares adding that no one would be affected in terms of displacement and decent houses would be built for them before relocation.

“This is a very good project, but the moment someone starts mourning it will be bad so there must be proper issues of significant planning.

Before a machine lands on any piece of land, ensure that the people displaced have where to go. Make sure the people are excited and not mistreated,” he said.

Mr Nundwe further added that the project should be well sustained and in order because Copperbelt was the heartbeat of Zambia.

Source: Times of Zambia