25th Jan 2023 07:00
Polymetal International plc (POLY) Polymetal: Q4 and FY 2022 production results 25-Jan-2023 / 10:00 MSK Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EquityStory RS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Polymetal International plc Q4 and FY 2022 production resultsPolymetal (the “Company” or the “Group”) reports strong production results for the fourth quarter of 2022 and meets full-year production guidance of 1.7 Moz GE. “2022 presented unprecedented challenges for our company. Nevertheless, Polymetal met original production guidance and maintained solid safety performance. In 2023, we are targeting stable production and return to free cash flow generation”, said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Polymetal. HIGHLIGHTS No fatal accidents among the Group’s employees and contractors occurred in 2022. Lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) among the Company’s workforce for the full year decreased by 17% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 0.10. Days lost due to work-related injuries (DIS) fell by 42% y-o-y to 877. The Company’s FY 2022 gold equivalent (“GE”) production amounted to 1,712 Koz, a y-o-y increase of 2% and in line with the original production guidance of 1.7 Moz. First full year of operations at Nezhda and initial production at Kytyn compensated for declining grades at mature assets. Q4 GE output grew by 16% y-o-y to 540 Koz driven by Nezhda contribution and strong grades at Kyzyl. POX-2 and other developement projects progressed in line with the revised schedules. 2023 will be marked by the launch of Voro flotation plant and start of mining at Prognoz. Revenue for FY 2022 stood at US$ 2.8 billion, a y-o-y decrease of 3% on the back of lower average gold and silver prices. Q4 revenue was up by 30% y-o-y to US$ 1.0 billion as the Company sold down metal and concentrate inventory accumulated in the previous quarters. The remaining gap between production and sales is expected to close during the course of H1 2023. In Q4, net debt decreased by US$ 0.4 billion to approximately US$ 2.4 billion on the back of strong positive free cash flows from unwinding of working capital. The Company expects full-year Total Cash Costs (“TCC”) and All-in Sustaining Cash Costs (“AISC”) to be within the announced guidance range of US$ 900-1,000/GE oz and US$ 1,300-1,400/GE oz, respectively. CAPEX is also estimated within the guidance range of US$ 725-775 million.2023 OUTLOOK The Company reiterates its current production guidance for FY 2023 of 1.7 Moz of GE. Polymetal expects its costs to be in the ranges of US$ 950-1,000/GE oz for TCC and US$ 1,300-1,400/GE oz for AISC[1]. A minor y-o-y increase is mostly due to domestic inflation, stronger rouble, and royalty increase in Kazakhstan. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately US$ 700-750 million. Major investment projects include POX-2, Albazino power line, Voro flotation, and Prognoz.UPDATE ON THE POTENTIAL MODIFICATION OF ASSET HOLDING STRUCTURE As previously announced, the Company has continued to evaluate all available options to modify its asset holding structure in order to maximise shareholder value. Further to the announcement on 22 September 2022, the Company has progressed the evaluation of a potential re-domiciliation of the parent company, Polymetal International plc, to jurisdiction deemed to be “friendly” by the Russian Federation, a move which could unblock the ability to execute further corporate actions. Based on the initial analysis, the Company are of the view that a re-domiciliation into the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), a financial hub in Astana, Kazakhstan, is the preferred jurisdiction, taking into account the Group’s significant operations and presence in the region, the AIFC legal system, tax regime and the ability to execute such a re-domiciliation. Should the Company proceed with a re-domiciliation to the AIFC, The Company’s primary listing may move to AIX where its Ordinary Shares will be traded with the new ISIN. The Company will look to ensure continuous liquidity of trading. The evaluation of the re-domiciliation process continues to be ongoing and will, in any event, be subject to a number of conditions. No decision has been made in relation to the various options available to the Company. There can therefore be no certainty that the Company will proceed with, or ultimately complete, a re-domiciliation nor any certainty as to which jurisdiction would be ultimately selected were it to proceed. The Company confirms that any actions will be compliant with all applicable international sanctions, counter-sanctions and regulatory requirements.[1] Based on 65 RUB/USD, 450 KZT/USD rates, 7% inflation in Russia and 9% in Kazakhstan. OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
PRODUCTION BY MINE
Notes: (1) Based on 80:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio and excluding base metals. Comparative data for 2021 restated accordingly (120:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio was used previously). Discrepancies in calculations are due to rounding. CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST The Group’s management will discuss production results during the Analyst and Investor Day on Wednesday, 25 January 2023, at 12:00 GMT (15:00 Moscow time) at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre – Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE. To join the webcast please follow the link https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/oym5gsx7. Enquiries
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “targets”, “believes”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “anticipates”, “would”, “could” or “should” or similar expressions or, in each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company’s control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could cause the company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
KYZYL
Note: (1) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. It will be included in total production upon shipment to off-taker or dore production at Amursk POX. (2) To be further processed at Amursk POX. At Kyzyl, quarterly gold production increased by 34% y-o-y to 113 Koz driven by mining of higher-grade ore blocks accompanied by better recoveries as well as larger volumes of low-carbon concentrate processed at Amursk POX. Full-year production contracted by 8% to 330 Koz due to the planned grade decline. VARVARA
Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and copper within work-in-progress inventory. Does not include toll-treated ore. At Varvara, Q4 gold production was up by 27% y-o-y to 51 Koz, mostly on the back of work-in-progress release at the leaching circuit. Full-year output increased by 7% to 211 Koz on the back of better grades from Komar. The Company has commenced engineering for solar power plant and will complete feasibility study by the end of 2023.
DUKAT
Notes: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and silver within work-in-progress inventory. Direct high-grade ore shipments from Primorskoye compensated for grade declines at other mining areas. As a result, Dukat silver production for the quarter increased by 3% y-o-y to 6.3 Moz while gold production was up 17% to 22 Koz. Due to the abnormally cold weather, last shipments of ore in 2022 were canceled.
ALBAZINO
Notes: (1) To concentrate. (2) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. Included in total production after Dore production at the Amursk POX. At Albazino, gold production for the reporting quarter increased by 7% y-o-y to 63 Koz thanks to contribution from the recently launched Kutyn Heap Leach. Full-year production declined by 8% to 229 Koz of gold as the high-grade Anfisa open pit was fully depleted. Construction of the power line linking Albazino to the grid has commenced. Commissioning is expected in Q2 2025.
AMURSK POX
Notes: (1) Purchased concentrates which are included in reportable production in the Albazino segment. (2) For information only. Already accounted for in production at operating mines. The decrease in annual POX production was due to the decline in grade in feedstock sourced from Kyzyl and Albazino. The plant continued to process Nezhda’s low-carbon gold flotation concentrate with reasonable average recovery of 95% for the year. A planned two-week autoclave maintenance shutdown was successfully completed in October. OMOLON
Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and silver within work-in-progress inventory. In Q4, gold production at Omolon grew by 4% y-o-y to 55 Koz thanks to increased volumes of higher-grade ore from the Burgali open pit. NEZHDA
Notes: (1) Includes concentrate produced and stockpiled for future sale, and excludes low-grade material. Expected 90% gold payable ratio is applied. In the first full year of operation, Nezhda reached its nameplate capacity and recovery. Total annual production amounted to 111 Koz. The Company expects the output to increase as soon as the gravity concentrate will be redirected from Voro and Dukat to the intensive cyanidation section of POX-2 (launch planned for Q2 2023) and flotation concentrate processed at POX-2 after its launch in H1 2024 (currently low-carbon concentrate is processed at POX-1 and high-carbon mostly stockpiled). Mining activity at the Nezhda open-pit is temporarily suspended from the 1st of December 2022 for four months in order to optimize costs. Sufficient ore stockpiles are available to ensure full productivity of the flotation plant for several months. MAYSKOYE
Notes: (1) To concentrate. (2) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. Included in total production upon sale to off-taker or dore production at Amursk POX. (3) Gold produced from carbon at Amursk POX. In Q4, gold production at Mayskoye recorded a y-o-y increase of 5% and amounted to 57 Koz driven by concentrate stockpile unwinding namely sale to China. Annual output was 14% lower y-o-y due to grade and recovery decrease (higher carbon content). Conveyor system has been fully ramped up. In 2023, the backfill plant construction project will enter full-scale construction. Commissioning, which will help reduce dilution and thus optimize costs, is scheduled for 2024.
SVETLOYE
In Q4, ongoing Emmy pit development drove increases in ore mined and grade processed. Ore stacking volumes also grew on the back of favorable weather conditions and sufficient ore moisture. Gold production for the quarter was up by 9% y-o-y to 28 Koz. Full-year production was down by 5% to 103 Koz of gold driven by negative grade dynamics during the first nine months of 2022. VORO
Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold within work-in-progress inventory. In Q4, CIP plant at Voro recordered higher grade but lower recoveries due to processing of transitional ore from Peshernoye. Quarterly gold production demonstrated negative y-o-y dynamics mostly on the back of the high base of Q4 2021 when significant work-in-progress was released. Full-year production was stable. Mining at Saum was discontinued in Q3 on the back of deteriorating economics (strong rouble and higher rail tariffs). Voro flotation is nearing completion (90% completion rate). Start-up is scheduled for Q2 2023.
POX-2 At POX-2, the installation of cable structures and equipment in the power unit section of the downstream circuit was completed, voltage was successfully supplied for the commissioning of the intensive cyanidation section (expected in Q1 2023). The installation of pipelines and connection of technological equipment are nearing completion. CIL thermal circuit completed. High Bay heating and ventilation systems are being installed (steam conditioning section). The construction of metal frameworks and concrete works for installing technological equipment in the CIL and High Bay sections continues. The project remains on track to be fully commissioned in Q2 2024. SUSTAINABILITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY There were no fatal accidents in 2022. 13 lost-time incidents took place among Polymetal’s employees and 12 among contractors, all classified as minor. Most were the result of slipping or tripping while walking or being jammed by a rotating mechanism. Employees’ lost-time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) decreased by 17% y-o-y and stood at 0.10 (compared with 0.12 in 2021). Days lost due to work-related employees’ injuries for the full year were down by 43% y-o-y to 877 (compared with 1,545 in 2021). PERSONNEL Alexander Simon (47) was appointed as the Director of the Magadan Business Unit. Prior to this role, he held various positons at Polymetal since 2003, most recently as a Managing Director at Nezhda. Alexander started his career in 1995 at “Karelsky Okatysh”, an iron ore mining company. He holds a degree in mining engineering from St. Petersburg State Mining Institute. Oleg Pavlov (53) was appointed the Managing Director for Nezhda. Oleg joined Polymetal in 2012 and held various positions at Albazino, having grown from Head of open-pit to senior executive roles with his previous position being Technical Director at Nezhda. Oleg began his career in 1991 at “Kurzhunkul mine management”. Prior to joining Polymetal he held various executive roles at Aluminium of Kazakhstan Company. Mr Pavlov graduated from Rudny Industrial Institute (Kazakhstan) as an open-pit mining engineer. Alexey Sharabarin (47) was appointed as the Managing Director at Albazino. Alexey is a mining professional with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. He joined Polymetal in 2006 at Voro and held various positions at Veduga, Albazino and Dukat. Alexey graduated from Krasnoyarsk Institute of Non-ferrous Metals with a degree in open-pit mining. Abdurakhman Isaev (39) was appointed as the Managing Director at Varvara. Abdurakhman joined Polymetal in 2018 and held various senior positions at Mayskoye and Varvara. Overall he has 18 years of experience in the industry. Mr Isaev holds degree in Underground mining of mineral deposits from the Moscow State Mining University. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ISIN: | JE00B6T5S470 |
| Category Code: | UPD |
| TIDM: | POLY |
| LEI Code: | 213800JKJ5HJWYS4GR61 |
| OAM Categories: | 3.1. Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State |
| Sequence No.: | 218090 |
| News ID: | 1542801 |
| End of Announcement | EquityStory RS News Service |
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