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.

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