Bushveld Minerals Limited (AIM: BMN), the AIM quoted, integrated primary vanadium producer and energy storage solutions provider with ownership of high-grade assets in South Africa, is pleased to provide an operational update for the three months and nine months ending 30 September 2021 (“Q3 2021 and 9M 2021”).
Key Highlights
Bushveld Vanadium
· Q3 2021 Total Injury Frequency Rate (“TIFR”) of 8.74, an improvement of 46 per cent on Q3 2020 (Q3 2020: 16.10).
· Group production in Q3 2021 of 1,056 mtV, an increase of 19 per cent on Q2 2021 (Q2 2021: 886 mtV), underpinned by continued operational stability at Vametco.
– Focus has been on stabilising operations to achieve a sustainable production run rate supported by the implementation of a proactive maintenance programme, other operational improvements and a new operating model at both plants.
– Vametco’s production cash cost (C1) of US$22.4/kgV improved by 13 per cent on Q2 2021, as a result of the higher throughput in Q3 2021 and a weaker ZAR:USD exchange rate.
– Vanchem production cash cost (C1) of US$27.3/kgV improved by three per cent on Q2 2021, in line with the weaker ZAR:USD exchange rate.
· Group production for 9M 2021 of 2,629 mtV, was two per cent lower than 9M 2020 Group production of 2,680 mtV, as a result of lower production volumes at Vametco during the H1 2021.
· On track to meet 2021 Group production guidance of between 3,400 mtV and 3,600 mtV.
· Unit costs for this 9M 2021 have started to normalise in line with the lower unit costs in Q3 2021 on the back of the higher throughput, and we expect this trend to continue in Q4 2021. We are therefore maintaining our unit cash cost guidance for 2021 at both plants.
· Group sales in Q3 2021 of 826 mtV1 in line with Q2 2021 of 820 mtV. Despite higher production volumes, sales to final customers were impacted by challenges in international logistics channels arising from COVID-19 , the unrest in South Africa in July 2021 as well as disruptions at local ports in July and August 2021. We expect sales to recover as warehouse stocks in target markets are replenished.
1: Reported as final sales to customers.
Finance update
· Positive progress has been made in negotiations with Duferco Participations Holding S.A (“Duferco”) on the remaining balance US$11.5 million of the convertible loan note, that would result in US$5 million being payable in November 2021 and the remaining US$6.5 million being converted into Bushveld shares , as announced on 27 September 2021 . We will update the market in due course on the final outcome.
· Cash and cash equivalents as at 30 September 2021 of US$25 million (30 June 2021: US$31.6 million) was impacted by the lower sales and the consequential higher working capital, as well as the on-going capital expenditure during the quarter to support growth and operational stability.
Vanadium market
· After a strong start to the quarter, Ferrovanadium prices (“FeV”) fell and currently trade at an average of approximately US$31/kgV across markets. At the moment, the US market is maintaining a premium to European prices with Chinese prices marginally lower.
· Demand in the US, Europe and Rest of the world remains buoyant.
· Q3 2021 London Metal Bulletin FeV price averaged US$38.2/kgV, 6 per cent higher than Q2 2021 (US$36.0/kgV) and 58 per cent higher than Q3 2020 (US$24.2/kgV).
· The 2021 year to date average FeV price is approximately US$35/kgV across all markets as at 8 October 2021.
Fortune Mojapelo, CEO of Bushveld Minerals Limited, commented:
“I am pleased to report a solid quarter of production where we achieved our targets of stability and cost control at both our operations, on the back of the operational improvements we are implementing. At the same time, we were able to improve safety statistics, a very important achievement and one we will continue to focus on.
“We entered Q4 2021 on a strong footing as a result and therefore still on track to achieve our production guidance. We continue to invest in sustaining and growth capital to maintain stability and provide the platform for growth, to support the volume increase in 2022.”
Conference call
Bushveld Minerals Chief Executive Officer, Fortune Mojapelo, Finance Director, Tanya Chikanza and Francois Naude, Director of Operations; will host a conference call at 11:00 am UK time (12:00 noon SAST) today to discuss the quarterly update with analysts. Participants may join the call by dialling:
Tel: United Kingdom: +44 (0) 330 336 9434; South Africa: +27 11 844 6054
Pin: 6605060
A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website post the call.
Safety and COVID-19
· Q3 2021 Total Injury Frequency Rate (“TIFR”) of 8.74, an improvement of 46 per cent on Q3 2020 of 16.10, as a result of increased planned task observations by supervisors and proactively applying lessons learned from previous incidents.
· From 1 October 2021, South Africa’s lockdown regulations were relaxed to an adjusted level 1 as the country exited the third wave of COVID-19 and to ensure economic recovery. Bushveld Minerals is encouraged with the progress of the vaccination awareness at the operations.
Bushveld Vanadium
Growth Projects
Vametco Phase III P re-feasibility studies (“PFS”)
As previously announced on 30 June 2021, the scope of work of the PFS for Phase III at Vametco has been extended to include upgrading the concentrate section to a Semi-Autogenous Grinding mill and life of mine of Open Pit with higher production to supply both Vametco and Vanchem, making Vametco the single ore supply for both operations for the medium-term. Details on the ramp-up profile and capital expenditure plans will be provided once the PFS has been completed, which is still expected in Q4 2021.
Vanchem Phase II refurbishment
Vanchem’s production is expected to increase from 1,100 mtV to a run rate of 2,600 mtV by the end of 2022, supported by the commissioning of Kiln 3 and associated downstream expansions. Vanchem has three roasting kilns of which Kiln 3 holds similar properties to that of Vametco’s Kiln. It has a length of 90 metres and 4.0m in diameter and covers 50 per cent of Vanchem’s installed kiln roasting capacity, with Kiln 2 and Kiln 1 at 25 per cent respectively.
The Upper Seam Project
The Upper Seam project continues with commissioning. All crushing units have been commissioned and are operational, with the magnetic separator to be commissioned at the end of October 2021. Vanchem has received the initial batches of ore from the Upper Seam Project.
The Upper Seam Project has a reserve of 0.9 Mt of in-situ ore and the total resource base of 16 Mt. The resource has similar mineralogy to the current ore used at Vanchem, and tests conducted have proven its suitability for processing. This will ensure that Vanchem has sufficient ore feedstock in the short to medium term, with no significant capital expenditure requirements.
Bushveld Vanadium production profile
· Bushveld Vanadium is targeting to materially grow its vanadium production and achieve an annualised steady state production run rate of between 5,000 mtVp.a. and 5,400 mtVp.a. by the end of 2022.
– We continue to prioritise operational stability at Vametco to achieve a sustainable and consistent output of 2,800 mtVp.a.
– Vanchem’s production run rate is expected to more than double from 1,100 mtVp.a. to a run rate of 2,600 mtVp.a. by the end of 2022, supported by the commissioning of Kiln 3 and associated downstream expansions. Kiln-3 is expected to be commissioned in H1 2022.
Enquiries: [email protected]
Bushveld Minerals Limited
+27 (0) 11 268 6555
Fortune Mojapelo, Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Mari, Investor Relations
