Final Results
Bisichi Mining PLC
12 March 2001
12th March 2001
Bisichi Mining PLC
Preliminary Results for the year ended 31st December 2000
2000 1999
Turnover: £3,695,000 £3,132,000
Profit (loss) before tax and goodwill
amortisation and after minorities: £218,000 £(179,000)
Net assets per share: 66.3 p 62.7 p
Dividend per share: 1.0 p 1.0 p
- South African coal mining division returned to profit
- Strengthened mine management, higher coal prices & new reserves
significantly improve mining prospects
- Retail property investment portfolio performed strongly
Commenting, Michael Heller, chairman of Bisichi Mining PLC said:
'The acquisition of high quality reserves on acceptable commercial terms,
the appointment of a new mine manager, a greatly strengthened mine
management team and significantly increased mining efficiency lies at the
core of the restoration of the mine's profitability. The prospects for
Bisichi Mining are positive, real & deliverable.'
For further information:
Robert Corry or Andrew Heller
Bisichi Mining PLC 020 7415 5000
BISICHI MINING PLC
Chairman's Review
Financial review & dividend
Shareholders will be pleased to learn that Bisichi Mining's profit before
tax and goodwill amortisation, but after minority interests for the year
to 31 December 2000 was £218,000, compared to a loss in the previous year
of £(179,000).
The mining division returned to profit during the year, before the write
off of goodwill. This turnaround is due to the strong action taken by the
management and this, coupled with the worldwide rising coal prices (which
will benefit us in 2001), bodes well for the future.
Our direct mining activities continue to be underpinned by the strong
performance of our UK retail property investment portfolio and our equity
investment portfolio. Shareholders funds now stand at £6.74 million
compared to £6.36 million in the previous year. As shareholders know, it
is the Group's strategy to use surplus cash flow generated from our
investments in UK retail property to finance the development and
management of direct mining assets.
As a consequence of these results, your directors are recommending the
maintenance of the final dividend of 1p per share.
Direct Mining & mining investment
Shareholders will recall that, when I reported the Interim results in
September 2000, I advised that the losses incurred at Black Wattle
Colliery (Pty) Ltd, which had arisen from a major geological fault
impeding the mining of coal, had been reversed as the result of prompt
action by the company's management. The effect of this action is now
becoming apparent.
The acquisition of high quality reserves on acceptable commercial terms,
which has enabled us to mine away from the geological fault, combined with
the appointment of a new mine manager, a greatly strengthened mine
management team and significantly increased mining efficiency lies at the
core of the restoration of the mine's profitability.
The new reserves that we have already acquired, combined with the prospect
of being able to acquire significantly more in the immediate locality,
mean that the outlook for Black Wattle has never been more positive. Our
optimism must, of course, be tempered by the recognition that mining
businesses are by their very nature always vulnerable to circumstances
entirely beyond management's immediate control.
A fuller review of our direct mining activities follows in the Mining
Report.
Mineral Products Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bisichi Mining,
continues to manage an equity portfolio with a weighting in mineral and
natural resources stocks. This portfolio also provides us with as easily
accessible cash reserve.
Property
Bisichi Mining's property portfolio, which consists of 5 fully let
shopping centres managed by London & Associated Properties PLC, has been
independently valued at the year end at £7.78 million, an increase of 5.8%
over the 1999. Bisichi Mining also owns, jointly with London & Associated
Properties, Dragon Retail Properties Limited. In October 2000 Dragon
Retail acquired four shops in Western Road, Brighton, the main shopping
location in the town. This portfolio is strongly reversionary. Dragon
Retail's property portfolio was independently valued at 31 December 2000
at £5.25 million, compared with £3.8 million in the previous year.
Retirement
John Brown, one of your non-executive directors, will be retiring from the
board at the Annual General Meeting in June 2001. John has brought to the
affairs of Bisichi Mining a store of wisdom and common sense and I would
like to take this opportunity to thank him on behalf of his colleagues and
shareholders for the part he has played over the last 12 years in helping
to bring about the transition of Bisichi to the company that it is today.
Prospects
Shareholders will by now have gathered that I believe that the prospects
for Bisichi Mining are positive, real and deliverable. This situation has
been brought about by the dedication of all of our employees both in the
UK and South Africa; the future relies to a considerable extent on their
continued dedication. On behalf of all shareholders I would, therefore,
like to thank them for their hard work.
I look forward to 2001 with confidence.
MICHAEL HELLER
Chairman
9 March 2001
MINING REVIEW
Year ended 31st December 2000
BLACK WATTLE COLLIERY
Mining is a business that constantly challenges the ability of management
to deal with the unforeseen or the unexpected. Black Wattle Colliery is no
exception to this rule and has had more than its fair share of management
challenges over the past 18 months. The fact that it has returned to a
profitable operation during the year is solely due to the very prompt and
positive actions taken by management, as will be immediately apparent from
this report.
Production
As soon as it became clear that the geological problem encountered last
year could not be easily overcome economically, mining operations were
switched to the newly acquired area adjacent, and to the west, of our
original concession area. Two mining sections were deployed in this new
area, working double shifts mining the lower seam. This new seam consists
of excellent quality coal with good mining conditions and a very low
phosphorous content. Low phosphorous coal commands premium prices from
the metallurgical industry.
As reported at the half-year, mining in the west was not achieved without
initial additional short-term losses at the beginning of the year.
However these problems were overcome and production was increased to
return the mine to profitability
At the current levels of production, the mine is profitable. However, we
recognise that, with improving coal prices for the first time in the last
three years, there is an opportunity for a substantial improvement in
profitability. To maximise the opportunity presented by the market, our
principal initiative is to open a third underground section, for which the
machinery has already been acquired. To support this initiative, we are
increasing the capacity of the washing plant and we will, of course, keep
a tight control over costs.
Management
During the year, Black Wattle's board was greatly strengthened by the
appointment of Mr Sipho Dube, who is a 37.5% shareholder in the company.
Mr Dube has considerable commercial skills and his input is proving to be
of significant benefit to the mine.
The management of the company was further strengthened with the
recruitment of Mr Robert Grobler as the General Mine Manager. Mr Grobler
is a highly respected mine manager and has brought both skill and energy
to his job. In addition, more highly qualified individuals have replaced
the Underground Manager and the Chief Engineer. Financial incentive
schemes for key senior staff and the labour force on the mine have been
introduced. The benefits of these arrangements will become apparent during
the current year.
Ore reserves
In order to safeguard the longer-term future of the mine, we continue to
seek additional coal reserves in our general area.
As outlined in my previous report, we were able to obtain a new concession
to the west of our original mining area during 2000 and we are now mining
in it. The current audited reserves of the mine are a minimum of 5 years
at current budgeted production levels.
We are continuing to negotiate the acquisition of known reserves in the
locality, which will further extend the life of the mine. We will inform
shareholders as and when these new reserves are acquired.
Environmental management
I am pleased to report that the Department of Minerals and Energy in South
Africa have recently approved Black Wattle's Environmental Management
Programme.
Prospects
The strength of our new board and operational management structure, the
buoyant coal price, the measures taken to increase production and our
prospect of obtaining additional reserves, when taken together, mean that
there is real potential for a substantial increase in Black Wattle's
contribution to the Group's profits.
BOB MACKILLIGIN ANDREW HELLER
Mining Director Director
9 March 2001
Bisichi Mining PLC
Preliminary Consolidated Profits Statement
Year Ended 31st December 2000
2000 1999
Note £000 £000
Turnover 3,695 3,132
Operating costs (3,406) (3,416)
Operating profit (loss) 289 (284)
Income from interests in joint venture 37 19
Exceptional items in respect of fixed assets 1 (14) (65)
Interest receivable 4 7
Interest payable (234) (207)
Profit (loss) on ordinary activities before
taxation 82 (530)
Taxation on profit (loss) on ordinary
activities 2 (69) (63)
Profit (loss) after taxation 13 (593)
Minority interest 51 267
Profit (loss) for the financial year 64 (326)
Dividends (105) (105)
Retained (loss) for the year (41) (431)
Earnings per share 3 0.61p (3.12)p
Dividend per share 4 1.00p 1.00p
Turnover and operating profit (loss) for the year derive from continuing
operations, which are made up as follows:
Turnover Operating profit (loss)
2000 1999 2000 1999
£000 £000 £000 £000
Mining 2,900 2,190 28 (583)
Goodwill amortised - - (85) (84)
2,900 2,190 (57) (667)
Property 716 665 331 267
Share dealing 72 268 12 110
Other investments 7 9 3 6
Group 3,695 3,132 289 (284)
Bisichi Mining PLC
Consolidated Balance Sheet
at 31st December 2000
2000 1999
£000 £000
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 301 386
Tangible assets 8,714 8,409
Investments 924 763
9,939 9,558
Current assets
Stocks 31 111
Debtors 492 328
Investments at cost - market value £606,000
(1999: £621,000) 424 420
Bank balances 88 48
1,035 907
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year (2,249) (2,071)
Net current liabilities (1,214) (1,164)
Total assets less current liabilities 8,725 8,394
Creditors - amounts falling due after one year (2,131) (2,155)
Deferred taxation (12) (12)
Minority interest 162 129
6,744 6,356
Capital and reserves
Share capital 1,045 1,045
Revaluation reserve 5,100 4,601
Other reserves 86 101
Retained earnings 513 609
Shareholders' funds 6,744 6,356
Statement of total recognised gains and losses
The company 141 6
Subsidiaries and associated undertaking (77) (332)
Profit (loss) for the year 64 (326)
Revaluation of investment properties - company 418 295
- joint venture 95 200
Exchange adjustments (84) (4)
Total gains recognised in period 493 165
Bisichi Mining PLC
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Year ended 31st December 2000
2000 1999
£000 £000
Net cash inflow from operating activities 631 270
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received 4 7
Interest paid (234) (207)
(230) (200)
Taxation
Corporation tax paid (59) (6)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Payments to acquire fixed asset (329) (1,077)
Payments to acquire current asset investments (48) (173)
Receipts from sale of fixed assets 17 106
Receipts from sale of current asset investments 56 251
(304) (893)
Equity dividends paid (105) (105)
Cash outflow before financing (67) (934)
Financing
Loans drawn 10 788
(Decrease) in cash for the year (57) (146)
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
(Decrease) in cash in the period (57) (146)
Net cash flows from changes in debt (10) (788)
(67) (934)
Net debt at 1st January 2000 (2,887) (1,953)
Net debt at 31st December 2000 (2,954) (2,887)
Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating
activities
2000 1999
£000 £000
Operating profit (loss) 289 (284)
Depreciation charges 246 188
Goodwill amortised 85 84
Provision against current asset investment 4 -
Profit on sale of current investments (16) (109)
Decrease (increase) in stock 71 (26)
(Increase) in debtors (183) (112)
Increase in creditors 135 529
Net cash inflow from operating activities 631 270
Analysis of net debt
At 1st At 31st
January Exchange December
2000 Cash flow adjustment 2000
£000 £000 £000 £000
Bank balances 48 45 (5) 88
Overdrafts (735) (102) (1) (838)
(687) (57) (6) (750)
Due within one year (45) (34) 6 (73)
Debt due in after one year (2,155) 24 - (2,131)
(2,887) (67) - (2,954)
NOTES 2000 1999
£000 £000
1. Exceptional items
Arising in respect of fixed asset disposals
- investments (14) 15
- provisions - (80)
(14) (65)
2. Taxation
Based on results for the year:
Corporation tax at 30% (1999: 30.25%) 72 67
Prior year adjustment (12) (3)
Deferred taxation - (7)
Attributable to franked investment income - 2
60 59
Joint venture 9 4
69 63
3. Earnings per share
Earnings per share have been calculated on the group profit (loss) on
ordinary activities after taxation of £64,000 (1999: Loss (£326,000))
and the weighted number of shares in issue during the year of
10,451,506 (1999: 10,451,506).
4. Dividend
The proposed final dividend of 1.00p will be paid on 23rd August 2001
to shareholders registered at the close of business on 3rd August 2001.
5. The figures for the year ended 31st December 1999 are based on the
audited accounts for that year, which have been delivered to the Registrar
of Companies and on which the Auditors gave an unqualified report. The
statutory accounts for the year ended 31st December 2000, which have been
prepared using the same accounting policies as in 1999, have been
completed and an unqualified audit opinion will be issued. The figures in
the preliminary announcement are an extract and do not constitute
statutory accounts within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985. This
preliminary statement was approved by the board on 12th March 2001.