We have extracted the financial summary from the interim report of ZCCM Investments Holdings PLC, listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange under the share code ZCCM.zm. ZCCM Investments is a diversified holdings company holding interests in the fields of energy and mining amongst others.
The following is an excerpt from the interim report;
Financial Performance
“The Group recorded a turnover of K67.5 million for the six-month period ended 30th September 2018 which represents 80% over the turnover of K37.5 million reported during the six months to 30th September 2017. The increase is mostly on account of the consolidation of Investrust Bank following the Group’s increase in the Bank’s shareholding to 71.4%. The Group recorded an operating loss of K222 million (Sept 2017: loss K123 million) and received dividends of K44.8 million from Kansanshi Mining Plc (September 2017: Nil).
The Group’s share of profit in associate companies was K437.5 million (September 2017: K227.3 million). The performance of the associate companies has continued to improve due to continued increase in demand for copper on the world market resulting in increased copper prices. Overall the Group recorded an after-tax profit of K510 million (September 2017: K87.8 million).
Operations and Strategic developments
Ndola Lime Company Limited
In September 2018, Two (2) former employees of Ndola Lime Company Limited (NLC) instituted proceedings in the High Court of Zambia to place NLC under supervision pursuant to the Corporate Insolvency Act No. 9 of 2017. By order of the Court dated 5th October 2018, the Official Receiver was appointed as Interim Business Administrator of NLC.
The application for the Business Rescue Proceedings will be heard in January 2019 at which all affected persons (including ZCCM-IH) will be heard.
Investrust Bank Plc
In April 2018, ZCCM-IH conducted a Mandatory Offer to purchase shares from all other minority shareholders in Investrust Bank Plc (Investrust) in accordance with Rule 56 of the Third Schedule of the Securities (Takeovers and Mergers) Rules, Statutory Instrument No 170 of 1993, issued pursuant to the Securities Act, Chapter 354 of the Laws of Zambia, now repealed and replaced by the Securities Act No 41 of 2016, (the “Securities Act”).
The Mandatory Offer culminated into ZCCM-IH acquiring an additional 2,125,890 shares, representing a 26.0% shareholding in Investrust; ZCCM-IH effectively increased its shareholding from 45.4% to 71.4%.
Subsequent to increasing its shareholding in Investrust, ZCCM-IH has committed to recapitalise and drive strategic performance improvements of the Bank.
Cement Manufacturing Project
During the period under review, ZCCM-IH signed a Shareholders’ Agreement with China Machinery Construction Group Limited (SinoConst) for the development of a cement plant to be located in Masaiti District in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia under the incorporated Special Purpose Vehicle, Central African Cement Limited. CBMI Construction Co., Limited (Sinoma) has been engaged as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor for the project once it reaches financial close.
Tailings Reprocessing
In June 2018, ZCCM-IH and Horizon Mining Limited executed a Shareholders Agreement relating to the incorporated Joint Venture Company, Copper Tree Minerals Limited (Copper Tree), in which ZCCM-IH and Horizon Limited each have shareholdings of 15.58% and 84.42% respectively. Copper Tree was established to reprocess material at Tailing Dams 25, 26 and 27 located in Kitwe.
Oil Exploration
ZCCM-IH obtained licenses for two oil blocks situated in the Western and Muchinga provinces of Zambia. In order to undertake exploratory works on these oil blocks ZCCM-IH entered into a partnership with Oranto Petroleum (Oranto), where ZCCM-IH farmed out a 90% participating interest on the oil blocks to Oranto and retained 10%. Under the partnership, Oranto will fully fund all exploratory activities and development works as well as provide technical support for the project.
Mushe Milling Limited
As part of ZCCM-IH’s strategic intent to participate in the agriculture, agri-business or agro-processing [sub] sectors, ZCCM-IH began discussions regarding the potential acquisition of Mushe Milling Limited (Mushe), a maize milling company located in Lusaka. The opportunity to acquire Mushe has been assessed and discussions have reached an advanced stage with the terms and conditions of the transaction close to finalisation.
Real Estate/Property
During the period under review ZCCM-IH expressed interest to invest in the development and purchase of Leopards Square, a mixed commercial property with a unique tenant mix. The opportunity would allow for ZCCM-IH to invest into this property through the purchase into the capital structure of the property at pre-development stage and earn an enhanced return due to development profits/savings. This transaction is nearing finalization, upon completion of a Subscription Agreement and a Shareholders Agreement. ZCCM-IH also acquired Village Villas Complex in Roma area in Lusaka pursuant to its strategy in investment property.
Silica Sand Mining and Glass Manufacturing
During the period under review ZCCM-IH placed a formal offer to acquire the assets held by Kapiri Glass Manufacturing Company (2008) Limited (In Receivership), including the mining rights to the primary silica sand deposit in Kapiri Mposhi. However, the transaction has not been completed or finalised, as an injunction has been placed against to halt any further progression on the transaction due to legal action taken against the Kapiri Glass Manufacturing Company (2008) Limited (In Receivership).
Kariba Minerals Limited
Subsequent to the period under review, ZCCM-IH acquired an additional 50% shareholding in Kariba Minerals Limited from Gemfields Limited at a total consideration of US$2.5 million. The completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Going forward, ZCCM-IH will implement a robust strategic plan aimed at improving production, processing and marketing activities in order to increase profitability of the mine.”
Source: African Financials
