Kaz Minerals PLC Unaudited results for the year ended 31 December 2020

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STRONG FULL YEAR PERFORMANCE IN A CHALLENGING OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Revenues increased by 4% to $2,355 million (2019: $2,266 million) as higher commodity prices offset lower production and sales volumes
    • Copper sales of 300 kt (2019: 317 kt) below production of 306 kt (2019: 311 kt) due to year end shipment delays at Kazakhstan-China border
    • Gold sales of 205 koz (2019: 225 koz) above production of 196 koz (2019: 201 koz) following inventory release
  • EBITDA1 of $1,431 million representing a margin of 61% (2019: $1,355 million, 60% margin)
  • Operating profit increased by 9% to $1,005 million (2019: $923 million)
  • Strong cash generation due to higher net cash flows from operating activities of $807 million (2019: $512 million)
  • First quartile net cash cost1 of 64 USc/lb (2019: 77 USc/lb) as the benefit of a weaker tenge and strong by‑product revenues offset the impact of lower sales volumes and additional costs for Covid-19

 

FINANCIAL POSITION AND DIVIDEND

  • Gross liquid funds1 of $1,299 million (2019: $541 million) and borrowings of $3,900 million (2019: $3,300 million). $62 million (2019: $306 million) of undrawn facilities
  • Net debt1 reduced by $158 million to $2,601 million (2019: $2,759 million)
  • No final dividend due to Recommended Offer

 

OPERATIONAL & PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Full year copper production2of 306 kt (2019: 311 kt) and gold production3 of 196 koz (2019: 201 koz) with strong performance at all divisions, despite challenges presented by Covid-19
  • 2021 copper production2 guided at 275-295 kt as grades decline in line with mine plans at Aktogay and Bozshakol
  • Aktogay expansion project remains on track to start up by the end of 2021
  • Key project parameters for Baimskaya released in November 2020

 

COVID-19 RESPONSE

  • Ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of employees and contractors is the highest priority
  • Comprehensive measures remain in place to protect staff and operations, including testing and isolation of personnel and increased stocking of spares and consumables
  • Additional costs of around $40 million incurred in the year to protect sites from Covid-19
  • Support has been provided to vulnerable communities in the Group’s countries of operation

 

 

$ million (unless otherwise stated)

20204

2019

Revenues

2,355

2,266

EBITDA1

1,431

1,355

 

 

 

Operating profit

1,005

923

Profit before tax

804

726

Underlying Profit1

650

571

Ordinary EPS – basic ($)

1.35

1.21

Ordinary EPS – diluted ($)

1.29

1.17

 

 

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

807

512

Free Cash Flow1

691

411

 

 

 

Gross cash cost1 (USc/lb)

143

140

   Aktogay

121

102

   Bozshakol

126

137

   East Region & Bozymchak

244

234

 

 

 

Net cash cost1 (USc/lb)

64

77

   Aktogay

116

98

   Bozshakol

12

31

   East Region & Bozymchak

56

104

 

 

 

Borrowings

3,900

3,300

Cash and cash equivalents

874

541

Current investments

425

Net debt1

2,601

2,759

1  Alternative Performance Measures (“APMs”) are used to assess the performance of the Group and are not defined or specified under IFRS. For further information on APMs, including justification for their use, please refer to the APMs section on page 58.

2  Payable metal in concentrate and copper cathode from Aktogay oxide ore.

3  Payable metal in concentrate.

4  The financial results are prepared in accordance with IFRSs and are unaudited – see page 37 for further information.

 

Andrew Southam, Chief Executive Officer, said: “KAZ Minerals’ operations proved resilient in 2020, despite the challenges posed by Covid-19. The Group delivered strong production, which combined with improved commodity prices in the second half of the year, saw the Group report EBITDA of $1.4 billion at a 61% margin. The Group remains a first quartile copper producer with a highly competitive net cash cost of 64 USc/lb. I am pleased that the Aktogay expansion project remains on track to start up by the end of 2021.”

For further information please contact:

KAZ Minerals PLC

 

 

Ed Jack

Investor Relations, London

Tel: +44 20 7901 7882

Anna Mallere

Investor Relations, London

Tel: +44 20 7901 7814

Maksut Zhapabayev

Corporate Communications, Almaty

Tel: +7 727 244 03 53

Brunswick Group

 

 

Carole Cable, Charlie Pretzlik

 

 

Tel: +44 20 7404 5959

 

REGISTERED OFFICE

6th Floor, Cardinal Place, 100 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL, United Kingdom.

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