30 April 2014
REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2014
Continental Coal Limited ("Continental" or "the Company") is pleased to provide
its operations report for the quarter ended 31 March 2014.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
* Operations
+ Significant revenue received from the ABSA Hedge during the Quarter
+ Penumbra production on track to achieve design capacity
+ Vlakvarkfontein on track to meet production and cost guidance
* Corporate
+ Completion of a A$5 million bridge finance facility and broader
recapitalisation and restructuring of the Company
+ The Investors of the bridge finance facility have also undertaken to assist
the Company in undertaking a rights issue currently proposed to raise up to
A$31.7 million
+ Following the closing of the bridge finance facility in February 2014,
Board and management changes were implemented
1. OPERATIONS
1.1 Health and Safety
During the Quarter, three Dressing Station Case ("DSC") accidents were reported
at the Company's mining and processing operations - all three DSC accidents
were relatively minor incidents reported at the Penumbra Underground Mine with
none reported at the Vlakvarkfontein Mine and Delta processing facility. The
accidents had no material impacts and their causes are being addressed.
1.2 Operational performance
Operational performance (tonnes)
Quarter ended Quarter ended 9 months ended 9 months ended
31 March 2014 31 March 2013 31 March 2014 31 March 2013
Run of Mine (ROM)
production
Vlakvarkfontein 270,141 412,764 999,124 1,148,512
Ferreira - 165,917 247,129 423,954
Penumbra 119,123 52,876 342,450 53,567
Total ROM 389,264 631,557 1,588,703 1,626,033
production
Feed to plant
Ferreira - 163,926 269,670 488,693
Penumbra 123,098 58,606 339,499 61,300
Total feed to plant 123,098 222,532 609,169 549,993
Export yields
Ferreira - 71.3% - 69.6%
Penumbra 55.9% 38.1% 55.8% 37.8%
Export coal buy-in 10,831 - 31,784 -
Domestic sales 327,727 349,911 1,040,351 997,652
Export sales 121,157 113,760 441,853 323,510
Total sales 448,884 463,671 1,482,204 1,321,162
Total ROM coal production for the Quarter of 389,264t was achieved from the
Vlakvarkfontein and Penumbra Coal Mines. Mining at the Ferreira Coal Mine
ceased last quarter as previously reported.
Feed to the Delta Processing Operations for the Quarter of 123,098t was
achieved from the Penumbra Coal Mine and was similar to the last quarter feed
for this mine (being 120,872t). The increase from the comparable quarter in
2013 and on a year-to-date basis for the 9 months ended 31 March 2013 is in
line with the ramp up of the Penumbra Coal Mine.
Export yields at the Penumbra Coal Mine have shown a steady increase during the
past 9 months with the average yield of 55.8% recorded for the quarter.
Domestic sales remain similar to the previous quarter, the comparable quarter
in 2013 and on a year-to-date basis.
1.3 Vlakvarkfontein Coal Mine
Vlakvarkfontein Coal Mine produced 270,141t ROM for the Quarter, which is lower
than the comparable quarter in 2013 and on a year-to-date basis. The reduced
ROM is due to only mining what can be sold and reducing the stockpiling as the
coal has been burning.
An average strip ratio of 2.11:1 was achieved for the Quarter (2.18:1 YTD).
Total thermal coal sales during the Quarter from the Vlakvarkfontein Coal Mine
were 327,724t and comprised 258,042t to Eskom and 69,682t of non-select coal.
Sales for the 9 months ended 31 March 2014 of 837,474t to Eskom were above
budget with non-select coal sales of 202,874t being below budget.
Free-on-Truck (FOT) costs for the quarter were ZAR115/t (US$11.17) which was
lower than the budgeted cost of ZAR131/t (US$12.72) for the Quarter. FOT costs
for the 9 months ended 31 March 2014 were ZAR153/t (US$14.86) which was the
same as budgeted for the period.
Vlakvarkfontein remains on target to achieve its planned production of 1.3 Mt
ROM at a cost of ZAR153/t (US$14.86) for FY2014.
1.4 Ferreira Coal Mine
Inventory clean-up at the Ferreira Coal Mine has been completed. The
rehabilitation work will commence upon finalisation of the closure plan and
appointing contractors.
1.5 Penumbra Coal Mine
ROM coal production at the Penumbra Coal Mine for the Quarter totaled 119,123t.
As previously reported the Company has encountered stone rolls that are
displacing the coal seam in the current mining area and this is impacting on
the production rate and the delivered yield due to added contamination.
Management, in conjunction with mining consultants, have been reviewing the
planned production lay-out in order to mitigate the impact of the stone rolls
on the production rate of the continuous miners.
Export yields at Penumbra have been steady during the quarter with the average
yield of 55.9% recorded. The yield is expected to improve to the planned 62%
with the increase in production and the mitigation of the additional
contamination caused by the stone rolls.
Mining costs of ZAR166/t (US$16.12) ROM were similar to the costs achieved in
the prior quarter with FOB costs of ZAR745/t (US$69.97) recorded for the
Quarter. Total FOB costs will likely reduce in the coming months given the
forecast increase in production.
Penumbra is forecasting the delivery of 570,000t ROM during the 2014 financial
year at a FOB cost of ZAR680 (US$63) per sales tonne.
The Company received ZAR 1.7 million revenue for the quarter from the ABSA
forward hedging contract at Penumbra.
2. DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
2.1 De Wittekrans Coal Project
The Integrated Water Use License (IWUL) application has been submitted and the
Company awaits approval expected Q2 2014.
During the quarter site specific geological models with wash results were built
to show the separate upper and lower extents of the B and C seams within
proposed shaft site positions.
3. EXPLORATION PROJECTS
3.1 Botswana Coal Projects
The Company is in advanced discussions in respect of the two remaining
Prospecting licenses (PL 340/2008 and PL 341/2008). Further details will be
advised when negotiations are concluded. PL339/2008 was relinquished during the
quarter.
4. CORPORATE
4.1 Bridge finance and recapitalisation
During the Quarter the Company completed a A$5 million bridge finance facility
with UK corporate advisory firm Empire Equity Limited and has undertaken a
broader recapitalisation and restructure of the Company and its financial
arrangements. The Company made key payments to current creditors and negotiated
a 3 month standstill period to recapitalize the Company and restructure its
financial arrangements. Upon completion of the bridging finance, the Company
implemented changes to its Board of Directors as announced during the quarter.
The Investors of the bridge finance facility (being Empire Equity and/or its
nominees) have further undertaken to assist the Company in undertaking a rights
issue currently proposed to raise up to A$31.7 million with terms to be
determined by the Company and the underwriter engaged. The proceeds will be
used to settle amounts owed by the Company to various existing convertible note
holders and other major creditors.
The management structure of the Company moving forward is still being
considered by the reconstituted Board, but will initially be overseen by Mr
Landau and Dr D'Sylva in temporary executive roles as well as current COO Mr
Johan Heystek at an operational level.
Importantly, the Company will focus on and ensure stability at an operational
level with the Company's current mining operations whilst saving significant
costs at the corporate level. As part of the restructure process, Continental
will look to strengthen its BEE credentials in South Africa and generate
additional synergies with key strategic partners including Eskom, Transnet and
RBCT to ensure a significant growth profile moving forward.
The reconstituted Board of Directors have complete faith in the assets and
operational management of the Company, and are optimistic that a range of
strategic and financing opportunities will be advanced so as to stabilise the
Company's balance sheet and focus on significant growth following completion of
a proposed rights issue.
The reconstituted Board of Directors has received interest from a number of
globally recognised energy investors/traders to participate in the Company
going forward, and terms are currently being negotiated.
The company is well advanced in finalising its proposed underwritten rights
issue and will shortly be providing full details to its shareholders.
4.2 Proposed listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
The proposed listing has been postponed until such time as the recapitalisation
of the Company has been completed.
4.3 ASX and AIM share trading suspension
As at the date of this report Continental's securities on both the ASX and AIM
markets continue to be suspended. The reconstituted Board of Directors will
consider a decision on seeking to lift the suspension of the shares pending the
provision of further clarification of its financial position to the market.
Peter Landau
Interim Executive Director
For further information please contact:
Media (Australia)
David Tasker
Professional Public Relations
T: +61 8 9388 0944
Nominated Advisor
Oliver Morse / Trinity McIntyre
RFC Ambrian Limited
T: +61 8 9480 2500
Broker
Jonathan Williams
RFC Ambrian Limited
T : +44 203 440 6817
About Continental Coal Limited
Continental Coal Limited (ASX:CCC/AIM: COOL) is a South African thermal coal
producer with a portfolio of projects located in South Africa's major coal
fields including two operating mines, the Vlakvarkfontein and Penumbra Coal
Mines, producing approx. 2Mtpa of thermal coal for the export and domestic
markets. A Feasibility Study was also completed on a proposed third mine, the
De Wittekrans Coal Project with a mining right granted in September 2013.
Competent Persons Statement
The information in this release that relates to Coal Resources on
Vlakvarkfontein, Vlakplaats and Wolvenfontein is based on resource estimates
completed by Dr. Philip John Hancox. Dr. Hancox is a member in good standing of
the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP No.
400224/04) as well as a Member and Fellow of the Geological Society of South
Africa. He is also a member of the Fossil Fuel Foundation, the Geostatistical
Association of South Africa, the Society of Economic Geologists, and a Core
Member of the Prospectors and Developer Association of Canada. Dr. Hancox has
more than 12 years' experience in the South African Coal and Minerals
industries and holds a Ph.D from the University of the Witwatersrand (South
Africa).
The information in this release that relates to Coal Resources on Penumbra, De
Wittekrans, Knapdaar, Leiden and Wesselton II is based on coal resource
estimates completed by Mr. Nico Denner, a full time employee of Gemecs (Pty)
Ltd. Mr. Denner is a member in good standing of the South African Council for
Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP No. 400060/98) as well as a Member and
Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa. He has more than 15 years'
experience in the South African Coal and Minerals industries.
The information in this release that relates to Coal Resources on Project X and
Vaalbank is based on coal resource estimates completed by Mr. Coenraad van
Niekerk, a full time employee of Gemecs (Pty) Ltd. Mr. van Niekerk is a member
in good standing of the South African Council for Natural Scientific
Professions (SACNASP No. 400066/98) as well as a Member and Fellow of the
Geological Society of South Africa. He has more than 38 years' experience in
the South African Coal and Minerals industries.
The information in this release that relates to Coal Resources on Mooifontein
is based on coal resource estimates completed by Mr. Dawie van Wyk, a full time
employee of Geocoal services (Pty) Ltd. Mr. van Wyk is a member in good
standing of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions
(SACNASP No. 401964/83) as well as a Member and Fellow of the Geological
Society of South Africa. He has more than 30 years' experience in the South
African Coal and Minerals industries.
The Coal Reserves on Vlakvarkfontein, De Wittekrans and Penumbra is based on
reserve estimates completed by Eugène de Villiers. Mr. de Villiers is a
graduated mining engineer (B.Eng) Mining from the University of Pretoria and is
professionally registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (Pr.eng
no - 20080066). He is also a member of the South African Institute of Mining
and Metallurgy (SAIMM Membership no. 700348) and the South African Coal
Managers Association (SACMA Membership no. 1742). Mr. de Villiers has been
working in the coal industry since 1993 and has a vast amount of production and
mine management as well as project related experience.
Forward Looking Statement
This communication includes certain statements that may be deemed
"forward-looking statements" and information. All statements in this
communication, other than statements of historical facts, that address future
production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities
and events or developments that the Company expects to take place in the future
are forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes
the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements and information
are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of
future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements and information. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking
statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes,
drilling and development results, production rates and operating costs,
continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or
business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not
guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ
materially from those stated.
South Africa Australia
T +27 11 881 1420 F +27 862064487 W T +61 8 9488 5220 F +61 8 9324 3400 W
www.conticoal.com www.conticoal.com
9th Floor Fredman Towers, 13 Fredman Ground Floor, 1 Havelock Street, West
Drive, Sandton 2196 Perth, WA 6005
PO Box 787646, Sandton 2146 PO Box 684, West Perth, WA 6872
Interim Executive Chairman: Dr Paul D'Sylva Interim Executive Director: Mr
Peter Landau
Non-Executive Directors: Mr Connie Molusi and Dr Lars Schernikau