10th Apr 2014 07:00
10 April 2014
Vedanta Resources plc
Production Release for the Fourth Quarter and
Full Year ended 31 March 2014
Highlights
· Full year record production of Oil & Gas, driven by production ramp-up in Rajasthan block
· Higher integrated refined metal production and stable mined metal production for the full year at Zinc India
· First metal tapping at the BALCO 325kt aluminium smelter during Q4
· Strong utilizations at Tuticorin copper smelter; 2nd 80MW unit of power plant commissioned during Q4
Zinc - India
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars (in '000 tonnes, or as stated) | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
ZINC INDIA | |||||||
Mined metal content | 200 | 260 | (23%) | 220 | 880 | 870 | 1% |
Concentrate Sales - Zinc (MIC) | - | 61 | - | - | - | 61 | - |
Refined Zinc - Total | 182 | 182 | - | 196 | 749 | 677 | 11% |
Refined Zinc - Integrated | 179 | 181 | (1%) | 196 | 743 | 660 | 13% |
Refined Zinc - Custom | 4 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 17 | - |
Refined Lead - Total 1 | 38 | 35 | 10% | 27 | 130 | 125 | 4% |
Refined Lead - Integrated | 31 | 32 | (2%) | 27 | 118 | 107 | 10% |
Refined Lead - Custom | 7 | 3 | - | - | 12 | 18 | - |
Saleable Silver - Total(in '000 ounces) 2 | 2,925 | 3,480 | (16%) | 2,335 | 11,241 | 12,021 | (6%) |
Saleable Silver - Integrated(in '000 ounces) | 2,180 | 2,924 | (25%) | 2,324 | 9,663 | 9,267 | 4% |
Saleable Silver - Custom(in '000 ounces) | 745 | 556 | 34% | 11 | 1,577 | 2,754 | (43%) |
Mined metal production for the year was 880,000 tonnes, marginally higher than the previous year. Production in H2 was lower than what we had planned initially due to slower than expected ramp up of underground mining projects and changes in mining sequence, wherein preference was given to primary mine development.
Integrated production of refined metal during the year was significantly higher due to operational efficiencies and higher availability of our smelters. Full year integrated production of refined zinc, lead and silver were higher by 13%, 10% and 4% respectively.
Zinc - International
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars (in '000 tonnes, or as stated) | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
Zinc International | 83 | 102 | (19%) | 84 | 364 | 426 | (15%) |
Zinc -refined -Skorpion | 33 | 36 | (9%) | 23 | 125 | 145 | (14%) |
Mined metal content - BMM and Lisheen | 50 | 65 | (24%) | 62 | 239 | 280 | (15%) |
Refined zinc production at Skorpion was higher than Q3 by 10,000 tonnes consequent to ramp up after an unplanned shutdown in Q3 FY2014. However, this was offset by lower mined metal production at BMM and Lisheen due to lower ore grades. Total production in Q4 remained in line with Q3, and the full year production was lower by 15%. This was lower on account of disruptions in production caused by accidents at Lisheen and BMM in Q1 FY2014 and the unplanned shutdown at Skorpion in Q3.
Oil and Gas
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
OIL AND GAS (boepd) | |||||||
Average Daily Gross Operated Production (boepd) | 224,429 | 202,014 | 11% | 224,493 | 218,651 | 205,323 | 6% |
Rajasthan | 190,881 | 168,594 | 13% | 186,359 | 181,530 | 169,390 | 7% |
Ravva | 24,225 | 27,205 | (11%) | 27,857 | 27,386 | 29,161 | (6%) |
Cambay | 9,323 | 6,215 | 50% | 10,277 | 9,735 | 6,772 | 44% |
Average Daily Working Interest Production (boepd) | 142,796 | 126,623 | 13% | 140,830 | 137,127 | 127,843 | 7% |
Rajasthan | 133,616 | 118,016 | 13% | 130,451 | 127,071 | 118,573 | 7% |
Ravva | 5,451 | 6,121 | (11%) | 6,268 | 6,162 | 6,561 | (6%) |
Cambay | 3,729 | 2,486 | 50% | 4,111 | 3,894 | 2,709 | 44% |
Total Oil and Gas (million boe) | |||||||
Oil & Gas- Gross | 20.20 | 18.18 | 11% | 20.65 | 79.81 | 74.94 | 6% |
Oil & Gas-Working Interest | 12.85 | 11.40 | 13% | 12.96 | 50.05 | 46.66 | 7% |
Average gross production for FY2014 was 218,651 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), 6% higher than the previous year. During the year, the Rajasthan block achieved a landmark oil production of 200 million barrels, and a 200,000 boepd production milestone in March 2014.
In Q4 FY2014, average gross operated production and working interest production were 11% and 13% higher at 224,429 boepd and 142,796 boepd, respectively, driven primarily by the production ramp-up at Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, infill drilling continues across all major fields and has driven a 13% increase in the production rate to 190,881 boepd. Development Area (DA1), which includes the Mangala and Aishwariya fields produced a gross average of 162,245 boepd and DA2, which includes the Bhagyam field produced a gross average of 28,636 boepd.
In Q4 FY2014, production at Cambay was 50% higher yoy at 9,323 boepd, due to the infill drilling campaign that was completed in FY2013. Production at Ravva was lower in Q4 FY2014 at 24,225 boepd though recovery rates continue to be over 47%.
Iron Ore
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars (in million dry metric tonnes, or as stated) | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
IRON ORE 3 | |||||||
Sales | 0.0 | - | - | - | 0.0 | 3.1 | - |
Goa | - | - | - | - | - | 3.0 | - |
Karnataka | 0.0 | - | - | - | 0.0 | 0.1 | - |
Production of Saleable Ore | 1.5 | - | - | - | 1.5 | 3.7 | (60%) |
Goa | - | - | - | - | - | 3.7 | - |
Karnataka | 1.5 | - | - | - | 1.5 | - | - |
Production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||
Pig Iron | 133 | 104 | 28% | 139 | 510 | 308 | 66% |
Met Coke | 119 | 94 | 27% | 116 | 408 | 331 | 23% |
In Karnataka, we resumed mining on December 28, 2013 and optimized our approved annual capacity of 2.29mtpa, which resulted in a production of 1.5mt this year. However, only 27 kt was sold during the year.
At Goa, we participated in e-auctions of inventory and sold 0.3 million tonnes during the quarter but these were not accounted for as sales since the dispatches did not take place during the quarter. These dispatches have commenced in April.
Regarding mining in Goa, the Expert committee appointed by the Supreme Court submitted its second interim report to the Court on 24 March 2014. The Expert committee, in its report, recommended that 27.5mtpa was a sustainable extraction level in the state, but suggested that the ideal permissible limit be 20mtpa until a scientific study is completed within 12 months. The decision of the Supreme Court is awaited on this matter.
Copper - India and Australia
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars (in '000 tonnes, or as stated) | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
COPPER- INDIA / AUSTRALIA | |||||||
Copper - Cathodes | 98 | 86 | 14% | 99 | 294 | 353 | (17%) |
Copper - Mined metal content | 1 | 7 | (85%) | 5 | 18 | 26 | (32%) |
Power sales - 2X80MW Tuticorin power plant(million units) | 144 | 35 | - | 162 | 601 | 42 | - |
The Tuticorin copper smelter performed well at 98% utilisation in Q4. The full year production was 17% lower due to the temporary closure in Q1 FY2014. As announced earlier, we are scheduled to have a maintenance shutdown of this smelter for approximately 22 days in Q1.
The company received the final regulatory approval for the second unit of the 2x80MW power plant in March 2014. Subsequently, we commissioned and capitalized this unit and generated 25 million units.
As announced earlier, production at our Australian mine remained suspended due to a mud rush at one of the stopes in January 2014. We are working with Work Place Standards Authorities at Tasmania to resume operations.
Copper - Zambia
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars (in '000 tonnes, or as stated) | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
COPPER -ZAMBIA | |||||||
Mined metal | 27 | 33 | (19%) | 32 | 128 | 159 | (19%) |
Finished Copper - Total | 40 | 54 | (26%) | 43 | 177 | 216 | (18%) |
Integrated | 28 | 36 | (22%) | 31 | 124 | 160 | (22%) |
Custom | 12 | 17 | (34%) | 12 | 53 | 56 | (6%) |
Mined metal production was 19% lower in Q4, as compared with the corresponding prior period, due to lower ore production at Konkola and Nchanga underground mines. Production at Konkola was affected by unscheduled stoppages at shaft 1 & 4, with the mid-shaft level of shaft 4 resuming operations during the quarter. Shaft 1 became operational in the first week of April. Mined metal production also includes TLP primary copper production of 13,400 tonnes which was 6% lower due to lower grades.
For the full year, mined metal production was lower primarily due to suspension of mining operations at COP F&D since January 2013.
We are focussed on increasing volumes at the Konkola mine, with recent progress made towards augmenting talent in the underground mining team, and implementing productivity improvement measures. Custom volumes remained constrained by blending challenges and underlying commercial issues of recovery of VAT credit from the Zambian government.
Aluminium
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars(in '000 tonnes, or as stated) | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
ALUMINIUM | |||||||
Alumina-Lanjigarh | 227 | - | - | 181 | 524 | 527 | (1)% |
Total Aluminum Production | 200 | 195 | 2% | 200 | 794 | 774 | 3% |
Jharsuguda-I | 135 | 133 | 1% | 136 | 542 | 527 | 3% |
Korba-II | 64 | 62 | 3% | 64 | 251 | 247 | 2% |
Korba-III 4 | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - |
The Lanjigarh alumina refinery operated at 91% of its rated capacity and produced 227,000 tonnes in Q4 FY2014, 25% higher than Q3. Full year production was 524,000 tonnes, after restarting the refinery in July 2013. This resulted in a steady increase of alumina feed from Lanjigarh to our smelters, contributing to 28% of the smelters' alumina requirements in FY2014 and 49% in Q4.
In Q4, production at Jharsuguda Plant I and Korba Plant II smelters continued to remain stable and both these plants operated above their rated capacities.
We commenced the Korba-III 325kt smelter with the first metal tapping in Q4. We produced around
900 tonnes of aluminium with power sourced from the BALCO 270MW power plant. We expect to ramp up significantly during FY2015 consequent to the commissioning of the 1,200MW power plant, which expects to receive regulatory approvals in Q1 FY2015.
Power
Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | |||||
Particulars (in million units) | FY2014 | FY2013 | % change YoY | FY2014 | FY2014 | FY2013 | %changeYoY |
POWER | |||||||
Total Power Sales | 2,093 | 2,638 | (21%) | 2,196 | 9,374 | 10,129 | (7%) |
Jharsuguda 2,400MW 5 | 1,701 | 2,073 | (18%) | 1,827 | 7,625 | 7,530 | 1% |
BALCO 270MW | 84 | 282 | (70%) | 75 | 390 | 1,241 | (69%) |
MALCO | 231 | 204 | 13% | 236 | 911 | 847 | 8% |
HZL Wind Power | 77 | 78 | (2)% | 59 | 448 | 511 | (12%) |
Power sales were 20% lower in Q4 as compared to corresponding prior period, primarily due to lower sales at our Jharsuguda 2,400MW and BALCO 270MW power plants on account of weak market demand and evacuation constraints. The Jharsuguda 2,400MW operated at a plant load factor of 35%.
The boiler light up of the first 660MW unit of the 1,980MW Talwandi Sabo power plant was achieved in Q3 and synchronization was completed subsequently. Coal logistics were established in Q4 and we expect to commence trial runs in Q1 FY2015.
Production Summary (Unaudited)
(in '000 tonnes, except as stated)
Particulars | Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | ||||
FY 2014 | FY 2013 | % change YoY | FY 2014 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 | %changeYoY | |
Zinc India | |||||||
Mined metal content | 200 | 260 | (23%) | 220 | 880 | 870 | 1% |
Concentrate Sales- Zinc (MIC) | - | 61 | - | - | - | 61 | - |
Refined Zinc ( Total) | 182 | 182 | 0% | 196 | 749 | 677 | 11% |
Refined Zinc ( Integrated) | 179 | 181 | (1%) | 196 | 743 | 660 | 13% |
Refined Zinc ( Custom) | 4 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 17 | - |
Refined Lead ( Total) 1 | 38 | 35 | 10% | 27 | 130 | 125 | 4% |
Refined Lead ( Integrated) | 31 | 32 | (2%) | 27 | 118 | 107 | 10% |
Refined Lead ( Custom) | 7 | 3 | - | - | 12 | 18 | - |
Saleable Silver ( Total )(in '000 ounces) 2 | 2,925 | 3,480 | (16%) | 2,335 | 11,241 | 12,021 | (6%) |
Saleable Silver( Integrated)(in '000 ounces) | 2,180 | 2,924 | (25%) | 2,324 | 9,663 | 9,267 | 4% |
Saleable Silver( Custom)(in '000 ounces) | 745 | 556 | 34% | 11 | 1,577 | 2,754 | (43%) |
Zinc International(Total) | 83 | 102 | (19%) | 84 | 364 | 426 | (15%) |
Zinc -refined Skorpion | 33 | 36 | (9%) | 23 | 125 | 145 | (14%) |
Mined metal content( BMM and Lisheen) | 50 | 65 | (24%) | 62 | 239 | 280 | (15%) |
Oil and Gas | |||||||
Average Daily Gross Operated Production (boepd) | 224,429 | 202,014 | 11% | 224,493 | 218,651 | 205,323 | 6% |
Rajasthan | 190,881 | 168,594 | 13% | 186,359 | 181,530 | 169,390 | 7% |
Ravva | 24,225 | 27,205 | (11%) | 27,857 | 27,386 | 29,161 | (6%) |
Cambay | 9,323 | 6,215 | 50% | 10,277 | 9,735 | 6,772 | 44% |
Average Daily Working Interest Operated Production (boepd) | 142,796 | 126,623 | 13% | 140,830 | 137,127 | 127,843 | 7% |
Rajasthan | 133,616 | 118,016 | 13% | 130,451 | 127,071 | 118,573 | 7% |
Ravva | 5,451 | 6,121 | (11%) | 6,268 | 6,162 | 6,561 | (6%) |
Cambay | 3,729 | 2,486 | 50% | 4,111 | 3,894 | 2,709 | 44% |
Total Oil and Gas (million boe) | |||||||
Oil & Gas - Gross | 20.20 | 18.18 | 11% | 20.65 | 79.81 | 74.94 | 6% |
Oil & Gas ( Working Interest) | 12.85 | 11.40 | 13% | 12.96 | 50.05 | 46.66 | 7% |
Iron Ore 3 | |||||||
Sales | 0.0 | - | - | - | 0.0 | 3.1 | - |
Goa | - | - | - | - | - | 3.0 | - |
Karnataka | 0.0 | - | - | - | 0.0 | 0.1 | - |
Production of Saleable Ore | 1.5 | - | - | - | 1.5 | 3.7 | (60%) |
Goa | - | - | - | - | - | 3.7 | - |
Karnataka | 1.5 | - | - | - | 1.5 | - | - |
Production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||
Pig Iron | 133 | 104 | 28% | 139 | 510 | 308 | 66% |
Met Coke | 119 | 94 | 27% | 116 | 408 | 331 | 23% |
Particulars | Q4 | Q3 | Full Year | ||||
FY 2014 | FY 2013 | % change YoY | FY 2014 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 | %changeYoY | |
Copper( India / Australia | |||||||
Copper ( Mined metal content) | 1 | 7 | (85%) | 5 | 18 | 26 | (32%) |
Copper ( Cathodes ) | 98 | 86 | 14% | 99 | 294 | 353 | (17%) |
Power sales - 2X 80MW Tuticorin power plant(million units) | 144 | 35 | - | 162 | 601 | 42 | - |
Copper - Zambia | |||||||
Mined Metal | 27 | 33 | (20%) | 32 | 128 | 159 | (19%) |
Copper - Total | 40 | 54 | (26%) | 43 | 177 | 216 | (18%) |
Integrated | 28 | 36 | (22%) | 31 | 124 | 160 | (22%) |
Custom | 12 | 17 | (34%) | 12 | 53 | 56 | (6%) |
Alumina | |||||||
Lanjigarh | 227 | - | - | 181 | 524 | 527 | (1)% |
Aluminium | |||||||
Total Aluminum Production | 200 | 195 | 2% | 200 | 794 | 774 | 3% |
Jharsuguda | 135 | 133 | 1% | 136 | 542 | 527 | 3% |
Korba-II | 64 | 62 | 3% | 64 | 251 | 247 | 2% |
Korba-III 4 | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - |
Power (in million units) | |||||||
Total Power Sales | 2,093 | 2,638 | (21%) | 2,196 | 9,374 | 10,129 | (7%) |
Jharsuguda 2,400MW 5 | 1,701 | 2,073 | (18%) | 1,827 | 7,625 | 7,530 | 1% |
Balco 270MW power Sales | 84 | 282 | (70%) | 75 | 390 | 1,241 | (69%) |
MALCO | 231 | 204 | 13% | 236 | 911 | 847 | 8% |
HZL Wind Power | 77 | 78 | (2)% | 59 | 448 | 511 | (12%) |
1. Including captive consumption of 1,991 tonnes in Q4 FY2014 vs 1,777 tonnes in Q4 FY2013, and 7,262tonnes in FY2014 vs 6,500 tonnes in
FY2013
2. Excluding captive consumption of 334,000 ounces in Q4 FY2014 vs 297,000 ounces in Q4 FY2013 and 1,232,000 ounces in FY2014 vs 1,088,000 ounces in FY2013
3. Iron Ore sales include internal consumption of nil in Q4 FY2014 vs nil in Q4 FY2013 and nil in FY2014 vs 0.17 million tonnes in FY2013.
4. Production under trial run
5. Includes production under trial run of nil in Q4 FY2014 vs. nil in Q4 FY2013 and nil in FY2014 vs 795 million units in FY2013.
For further information, please contact:
Investors Ashwin Bajaj Senior Vice President - Investor Relations Vedanta Resources plc
| Tel: +91 22 6646 1531
|
Media Gordon Simpson Finsbury | Tel: +44 20 7251 3801 |
About Vedanta Resources plc
Vedanta Resources plc ("Vedanta") is a London listed diversified global natural resources major. The group produces aluminium, copper, zinc, lead, silver, iron ore, oil & gas and commercial energy. Vedanta has operations in India, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Ireland, Liberia, Australia and Sri Lanka. With an empowered talent pool globally, Vedanta places strong emphasis on partnering with all its stakeholders based on the core values of entrepreneurship, excellence, trust, inclusiveness and growth. For more information, please visit www.vedantaresources.com.
Disclaimer
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should" or "will." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different that those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
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