Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 9478O

Ferrexpo PLC

18 October 2012

 



18 October 2012

Ferrexpo plc

Interim Management Statement

Ferrexpo plc ("Ferrexpo", the "Company" or the "Group") today issues its interim management statement in accordance with the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

Production

As announced on 10 October 2012, total pellet production from own ore in 3Q 2012 reached a record level of 2.4 million tonnes in the quarter. Production was 1.6% higher than 3Q 2011. The mine continues to operate at full capacity.

Production in Tonnes '000		Q3	Q2	Change		YTD	YTD	Change
		2012	2012	%		2012	2011	%
Production from own raw materials
Iron Ore		7,492.8	7,431.2	0.8		22,469.6	21,695.5	3.6
Concentrate		2,979.8	2,896.5	2.9		8,719.7	8,524.5	2.3
Pellets
62% Fe		1,346.1	1,230.8	9.4		3,775.4	3,513.0	7.5
65% Fe		1,024.9	1,074.6	(4.6)		3,158.5	3,214.7	(1.7)
Total Pellets		2,371.0	2,305.4	2.8		6,933.9	6,727.7	3.1
Production/reprocessing from purchased raw materials
Pellets
62% Fe		60.0	53.0	13.2		166.2	154.0	7.9
65% Fe		0.0	51.9	(100.0)		55.8	375.1	(85.1)
Total Pellets		60.0	104.9	(42.8)		222.0	529.1	(58.0)
Total Pellets Produced		2,431.0	2,410.3	0.9		7,155.9	7,256.8	(1.4)
62% Fe		1,406.1	1,283.8	9.5		3,941.6	3,667.0	7.5
65% Fe		1,024.9	1,126.5	(9.0)		3,214.3	3,589.8	(10.5)

Sales

Sales volumes for the three months to 30 September 2012 were 2,472 thousand tonnes, an increase of 1.2% compared to the same period in 2011 and 9.9% compared to 2Q 2012. The average realised price in 3Q 2012 was below 2Q 2012 reflecting the 19.5% decline in the market price during the period.

Costs

The Group's average C1 cash cost of production for the three months to 30 September 2012 was US$58.7 per tonne. This compares to US$51.6 per tonne in 3Q 2011 and US$61.5 per tonne in 2Q 2012. While the increase in the production cost compared to 3Q 2011 reflected higher electricity and gas tariffs as well as high levels of local inflation, the quarter on quarter decline reflected efficiencies from increased production of pellets from own ore as well as a stable oil price and lower domestic inflation.

The Ukrainian Hryvnia, in which 70% of the Group's total operating costs are denominated, remained stable against the US Dollar at around 8.0 UAH to 1 US$ during the period.

Capital Investment

Ferrexpo Yeristovo Mining ("FYM")

First ore from the new FYM pit was reached in July 2012. The ore is currently being tested in FPM's processing facilities to begin first commercial production in 1H 2013 and will be gradually phased into production through the existing processing facilities during 2013.

The Ferrexpo Board has authorised US$30 million for the development of the Yeristovo 10mtpa concentrator in 2013. This includes US$20 million for detailed engineering design and ground works and, subject to market conditions and further board approval, down payments for long lead items to be placed in late 2013 which will allow for first concentrate production and ramp up in 2H 2016.

In August 2012, FYM's mining licence was renewed for a further 20 years until 2032.

Ferrexpo Poltava Mining ("FPM")

FPM's projects remain on schedule and budget to raise output to 12 million tonnes of pellets per annum from the beginning of 2014 and to increase the iron content in its pellets from an average of 63% Fe to all 65% Fe in 2015.

VAT

The Group did not receive any VAT refunds in Ukraine during the quarter. As of 30 September 2012, US$281 million of VAT was outstanding compared to US$231 million as of 30 June 2012. Ferrexpo continues to work constructively with local regional and central authorities to resolve this issue and the Group expects some progress to be made in 2013. As of 30 September 2012, the Group had gross borrowing facilities of more than US$1 billion with an average maturity of over three years. Net debt was US$342 million.

Michael Abrahams, Ferrexpo Chairman, commented:

"The iron ore pricing environment was particularly volatile in the third quarter and Ferrexpo again demonstrated its ability to produce iron ore profitably at a low cost.

The Group's growth projects are on track and the Board remains committed to invest prudently in the development of the Company's iron ore reserves."

Ferrexpo:
Ingrid McMahon	[phone]
Pelham Bell Pottinger
Charles Vivian	[phone]
Lorna Spears	[phone]

Notes to Editors:

Ferrexpo is a Swiss headquartered iron ore company with assets in Ukraine. It is principally involved in the production and export of high quality iron ore pellets, which are used in the manufacture of steel. Ferrexpo's resource base is one of the largest iron ore deposits in the world. Its current producing asset, FPM, produced approximately 10 million tonnes of iron ore pellets in 2011 making it the largest exporter of pellets in the CIS. The Company has a diversified customer base supplying steel mills in Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and other European states, as well as in China, India, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Ferrexpo is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker FXPO. For further information, please visit www.ferrexpo.com

 

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