REG-Bisichi Plc: Half-year Report
01/09/2020 07:05
31 August 2020
BISICHI PLC
Interim Results for the period ended 30 June 2020
For the six months ending 30(th) June 2020:
· EBITDA 1 : £0.35million loss
(2019: £5.7million profit)
· Adjusted EBITDA 2 : £0.1million (2019: £5.6million)
· Loss before tax £2.0million (2019:
£4.3million profit)
· EPS (basic): 12.66 p loss (2019:
24.75p profit)
· Total production: 580,000 tonnes (2019: 655,000
tonnes)
· The Group’s results reflect the challenging period due to the
impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the related downturn in international coal
markets.
· The Group’s South African coal mining and processing operations
have been designated by the South African government as ‘essential business
operations’ and allowed to continue during lockdown periods.
· The Group’s management continue to focus on keeping costs low at
Black Wattle, as well as developing new opportunities at the Group’s coal
processing plant, Sisonke Coal Processing
· Invoiced income from the Group’s directly owned UK retail property
portfolio was £0.50million (2019: £0.65million) although, during the period,
rental revenue collections have been temporarily impacted.
END
For further information, please call:
Andrew Heller/Garrett Casey Bisichi PLC
020 7415 5030
1 Earnings before Interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation.
2 Operating profit before depreciation, fair value adjustments and exchange
movements.
Bisichi PLC
Half year review – 30 June 2020
The first half of 2020 has been a challenging period for your company due to
the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on all our operations. As a result, in the
six months ended 30 June 2020, Bisichi PLC made a loss before interest, tax,
depreciation and amortisation of £0.35million (2019: a profit of £5.7
million).
In managing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, your management has
prioritised the health and safety of all our employees and stakeholders, while
ensuring the continuity of our business during this challenging time. In order
to help safeguard our people from the spread of Covid-19, the Group has
implemented various health and safety measures, which are aligned with
measures announced by both the UK and South African governments, including
guidelines and regulations from the South African National Department of
Health and the Department of Minerals Resources.
In terms of business continuity, the Group’s South African coal mining and
processing operations have been designated by the South African government as
‘essential business operations’, which has allowed the Group’s
operations to continue during lockdown periods, although with a reduced or
socially distanced workforce to help safeguard the health and safety of our
employees. At Black Wattle, our South African mining operation, disruptions to
mining production in the first half of the year have been mainly limited to
temporary staff shortages during the initial lockdown period. Overall, the
mine was able to achieve total production of 580,000 metric tonnes (2019:
655,000 tonnes) during the reporting period, with similar levels expected in
the second half of the year.
However, during the period, we have also seen reduced global economic activity
as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on
demand for coal in the international market. The overall decrease in Group
revenue and earnings during the first half of the year can mainly be
attributable to this downturn. In January, the average weekly price of Free on
Board (FOB) Coal from Richard Bay Coal Terminal (API4 price) peaked at US$92.
By mid-April, as global economic activity slowed, the weekly API4 price had
fallen to US$44 before recovering to US$50 by the end of the first half of the
year. The impact on our operations has been a build-up in our coal stocks and
lower prices achievable for our coal in the international market. Although
there is a surplus of coal in the domestic market and prices have been
negatively impacted, demand for our particular coal has to date remained more
stable.
Looking forward, although the duration and extent of the impact of the
Covid-19 pandemic on our South African operations remains uncertain, forward
markets and leading research indicates some improvement in international coal
prices going into the last quarter of the year, in conjunction with an
expected improvement in global economic activity. In the interim, your
management will continue to focus on keeping costs low at Black Wattle as well
as developing new coal processing and marketing opportunities at our coal
processing plant at Sisonke Coal Processing.
In the UK, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on rental
revenue collections from the group’s UK retail property portfolio. Although
the final impact of the pandemic on the portfolio remains uncertain, we expect
much of the portfolio to recover as tenants fully resume operating. Overall,
the Group billed revenue from our directly owned property portfolio of
£0.50million (2019: £0.65million) during the period.
The Group continues to hold its joint venture investment, with London &
Associated Properties PLC and Metroprop Real Estate Ltd, in the freehold of a
retail and residential redevelopment in West Ealing, London. Last year, the
joint venture submitted a planning application for an expanded residential
redevelopment of 55 flats on the site and we look forward to updating
shareholders on the situation in due course.
Finally, in line with what was reported in the 2019 Annual report and given
our key priorities stated above and the need to conserve cash, the Board has
decided that it will not be proposing an interim dividend, but will review the
dividend position when there is greater visibility of the impact of Covid-19.
We would like to thank all our employees and stakeholders for their support
during this extremely difficult time.
Sir Michael
Heller
Andrew Heller
Chairman
Managing Director
31 August
2020
Bisichi PLC
Consolidated income statement
For the six months ended 30 June 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended 30 June 6 months end 30 June Year ended 31 December
2020 2019 2019
Notes £000 £000 £000
Group revenue 1 14,250 26,399 48,106
Operating costs (15,731) (21,851) (42,962)
Operating profit on trading activities (1,481) 4,548 5,144
Decrease in value of investment properties - - (1,480)
Gain/(Loss) on investments held at fair value (261) 59 (6)
Operating profit 1 (1,742) 4,607 3,658
Share of profit/(loss) in joint ventures 13 36 20
Profit before interest and taxation (1,729) 4,643 3,678
Interest receivable 19 15 28
Interest payable (309) (309) (679)
Profit before taxation 1 (2,019) 4,349 3,027
Income tax 2 481 (1,289) (1,432)
Profit for the period (1,538) 3,060 1,595
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the company (1,352) 2,642 1,046
Non-controlling interest (186) 418 549
Profit for the period (1,538) 3,060 1,595
Earnings per share - basic 3 (12.66p) 24.75p 9.80p
Earnings per share - diluted 3 (12.66p) 24.34p 9.80p
Bisichi PLC
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the six months ended 30 June 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended 6 months ended 30 June Year ended 31 December
30 June
2020 2019 2019
£000 £000 £000
Profit for the period (1,538) 3,060 1,595
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (467) 70 (49)
Taxation - - -
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax (467) 70 (49)
Total comprehensive income for the period (2,005) 3,130 1,546
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders (1,752) 2,694 1,004
Non-controlling interest (253) 436 542
Total comprehensive income for the period (2,005) 3,130 1,546
Bisichi PLC
Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 30 June 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 2020 30 June 2019 31 December 2019
Assets £000 £000 £000
Non-current-assets
Value of investment properties 11,566 13,045 11,566
Fair value of head leases 184 185 182
Investment property 11,750 13,230 11,748
Reserves, plant and equipment 8,786 9,500 9,508
Investments in joint ventures 1,355 1,359 1,342
Other investments at fair value through profit and loss (“FVPL”) 449 35 287
Total non-current assets 22,340 24,124 22,885
Current assets
Inventories 4,552 1,316 2,432
Trade and other receivables 6,385 9,893 7,559
Corporation tax recoverable - - 19
Investments in listed securities held at FVPL 926 1,090 1,119
Cash and cash equivalents 4,977 9,876 7,720
Total current assets 16,840 22,175 18,849
Total assets 39,180 46,299 41,734
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Borrowings (4,835) (11,009) (5,103)
Trade and other payables (8,409) (7,850) (7,619)
Current tax liabilities (317) (128) (457)
Total current liabilities (13,561) (18,987) (13,179)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (4,180) (743) (4,141)
Provision for rehabilitation (1,359) (1,615) (1,554)
Finance lease liabilities (231) (185) (232)
Deferred tax liabilities (1,404) (2,364) (2,071)
Other non-current liabilities - (45) -
Total non-current liabilities (7,174) (4,952) (7,998)
Total liabilities (20,735) (23,939) (21,177)
Net assets 18,445 22,360 20,557
Equity
Share capital 1,068 1,068 1,068
Share premium 258 258 258
Translation reserve (2,490) (1,996) (2,090)
Other reserves 707 707 707
Retained earnings 18,530 21,585 19,989
Total equity attributable to equity shareholders 18,073 21,622 19,932
Non-controlling interest 372 738 625
Total equity 18,445 22,360 20,557
Bisichi PLC
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the six months ended 30 June 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 30 June 31 December
2020 2019 2019
£000 £000 £000
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit (1,743) 4,607 3,658
Depreciation 1,379 1,041 2,190
Unrealised (gain)/loss on investments 261 (59) 6
Unrealised loss on investment properties - - 1,480
Exchange adjustments 206 (12) 123
Movement in working capital (633) (3,151) (1,459)
Net interest paid (289) (294) (651)
Income tax (paid)/received (72) (1,134) (1,199)
Cash flow from operating activities (891) 998 4,148
Cash flows from investing activities (2,079) (1,840) (3,662)
Cash flows from financing activities (125) (7) (3,322)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (3,095) (849) (2,836)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2,878 5,686 5,686
Exchange adjustment 481 7 28
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 264 4,844 2,878
Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following balance sheet amounts:
Cash and cash equivalents 4,977 9,876 7,720
Bank overdrafts (4,713) (5,032) (4,842)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 264 4,844 2,878
Bisichi PLC
Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity
For the six months ended 30 June 2020
Share Share Translation Available for sale Other Retained Non- controlling Total
capital premium reserve reserves reserves earnings Total Interest Equity
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Balance at 31 December 2018 1,068 258 (2,048) - 707 19,584 19,569 566 20,135
Profit for the period - - - - - 2,642 2,642 418 3,060
Other comprehensive income and expense - - 52 - - - 52 18 70
Total comprehensive income for the period - - 52 - - 2,642 2,694 436 3,130
Dividend - - - - - (641) (641) (264) (905)
Balance at 30 June 2019 1,068 258 (1,996) - 707 21,585 21,662 738 22,360
Balance at 31 December 2018 1,068 258 (2,048) - 707 19,584 19,569 566 20,135
Profit for the year - - - - - 1,046 1,046 549 1,595
Other comprehensive income and expense - - (42) - - - (42) (7) (49)
Total comprehensive income for the year - - (42) - - 1,046 1,004 542 1,546
Dividend - - - - - (641) (641) (483) (1,124)
Balance at 31 December 2019 1,068 258 (2,090) - 707 19,989 19,932 625 20,557
Profit for the year - - - - - (1,352) (1,352) (186) (1,538)
Other comprehensive income and expense - - (400) - - - (400) (67) (467)
Total comprehensive income for the period - - (400) - - (1,352) (1,752) (253) (2,005)
Dividend - - - - - (107) (107) - (107)
Balance at 30 June 2020 1,068 258 (2,490) - 707 18,530 18,073 372 18,445
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NOTES TO THE
ACCOUNTS:
The results for the six months ended 30 June 2020 have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The
principal accounting policies applied are the same as those set out in the
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2019, and which will form
the basis of the 2020 Annual report.
1. Segmental analysis
For management purposes, the Group is organised into two operating Divisions,
Mining and Property. These Divisions are the primary basis on which the Group
reports its segment information. This is consistent with the way the Group is
managed and with the format of the Group's internal financial reporting.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 30 June 31 December
2020 2019 2019
£000 £000 £000
Revenue
Mining 13,716 25,713 46,704
Property 503 650 1,290
Other 31 36 112
14,250 26,399 48,106
Operating profit/(loss)
Mining (1,920) 4,004 4,204
Property 409 510 (648)
Other (231) 93 102
(1,742) 4,607 3,658
Share of profit in joint ventures 13 36 20
Interest receivable 19 15 28
Interest payable (309) (309) (679)
Profit/(Loss) before taxation (2,019) 4,349 3,027
2. Taxation
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
30 June 30 June 31 December
2020 2019 2019
£000 £000 £000
Based on the results for the period:
Corporation tax at 27.00% (2019: 27%) 6 1,199 1,570
Prior year adjustment - UK - - (2)
6 1,199 1,568
Deferred taxation (487) 90 (136)
(481) 1,289 1,432
3. Earnings/ (loss) per share
Both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are based on a loss
of £1,352,000 (2019: profit of £2,642,000). The basic earnings per share has
been calculated on a weighted average of 10,676,839 (2019: 10,676,839)
ordinary shares being in issue during the year. The diluted earnings per share
has been calculated on the weighted average number of shares in issue of
10,676,839 (2019: 10,676,839) plus the dilutive potential ordinary shares
arising from share options of nil (2019: 179,324) totalling 10,676,839 (2019:
10,856,163).
4. Investment properties
Investment properties are held a fair value at each reporting period.
Management evaluate on an ongoing basis the impact of Covid-19 and the current
economic performance of the UK Retail market on the future performance of the
group’s existing UK property portfolio. The Board considers the final impact
of Covid-19 on the investment properties to remain uncertain. However the
Directors have placed a valuation on the properties which is not materially
different to the value as at 31 December 2019. Therefore no change in fair
value of investment properties has been made during the period. Investment
properties are therefore included at a Director’s valuation which is
considered to be the fair value as at 30 June 2020. Please refer to page 64
and 65 of the 2019 Annual report and Accounts for details on the valuation of
investment and development properties as at 31 December 2019.
5. Related Parties
The related parties and the nature of costs recharged are as disclosed in the
Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. The
Group paid management fees of £100,000 (30 June 2019: £100,000 December
2019: £200,000) to London & Associated Properties PLC, an associated company.
6. Financial information
The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within
the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The figures for the
year ended 31st December 2019 are based upon the latest statutory accounts,
which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the report of the
auditors on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement
under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
As required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK's Financial
Conduct Authority, the interim financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and in
accordance with both IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the
European Union and the disclosure requirements of the Listing Rules.
The half year results have not been audited or subject to review by the
company's auditors.
The annual financial statements of Bisichi PLC are prepared in accordance with
IFRS as adopted by European Union. The same accounting policies are used for
the six months ended 30 June 2020 as were used for the year ended 31 December
2019.
The assessment of new standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not
effective, are not anticipated to have a material impact on the financial
statements.
The largest areas of estimation and uncertainty in the interim financial
statements are in respect of:
- The valuation of investment and development properties;
- Life of mine and reserves;
- Depreciation;
- Provision for rehabilitation (relating to environmental rehabilitation
of mining areas); and
- Impairment
Property, plant and equipment representing the group’s mining assets in
South Africa are reviewed for impairment where there is evidence of a material
impairment. The impairment test indicated significant headroom as at 31
December 2019 and no impairment was considered appropriate. During the first
half of the year, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted on the Group’s South
African mining operations, in particular in relation to the operations coal
markets and coal prices. In terms of business continuity, the Group’s South
African entities have remained in operation as the entities have been
classified as essential businesses. Although the final impact of Covid-19
remains uncertain, the directors have assessed the expected range of impact of
the Covid-19 pandemic on its impairment model using similar key assumptions
and estimates as outlined on page 64 of the 2019 Annual report and Accounts,
and no impairment was considered appropriate as at 30 June 2020. However, it
must be acknowledged that if circumstances change and the balance of factors
shifts as the Covid-19 pandemic runs its course, impairment values may in turn
be impacted.
Other areas of estimation and uncertainly are referred to in the Group's
annual financial statements. There have been no significant changes to the
basis of accounting of key estimates and judgements as disclosed in the annual
report as at 31 December 2019.
The interim financial statements have been prepared on the going concern
basis. Although the final impact of Covid-19 on both our UK and South African
operations remains uncertain and an estimate of the overall financial effect
cannot be made, the Directors have assessed the range of expected impact of
the pandemic on its cashflow forecasts. The forecasts demonstrate that the
group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future and is well placed to manage its business risks.
7. Dividend
The interim dividend in respect of 2019, totalling £107,000 was paid on the
7(th) of February 2020. No final dividend in respect of 2019 was proposed by
the Board. No interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2020 has been
proposed by the Board.
8. Principal risks and uncertainties
The Group has an established risk management process which works within the
corporate governance framework as set out in the 2019 Annual Report and
Accounts. Risks and uncertainties identified by the Group are set out on page
11 of the 2019 Annual Report & Accounts and are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
There have been no significant changes in the first half of 2020 to the
principle risks and uncertainties as set out in the 2019 Annual Report &
Accounts.
Covid-19 risk:
The Group is proactively assessing and managing the potential risks brought
about by the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic. Overall the Group is
exposed to impacts on the health and safety of its employees and stakeholders
and risks related to business continuity. In the UK, the Group expects there
to be an impact on retail property revenue and potentially values. In South
Africa, the Group is expected to be impacted by additional health and safety
measures related to its workforce and coal price risk.
Risks faced by the business are assessed by the Board on an ongoing basis.
Strategies for mitigating the risks have been defined and specific measures
for achieving these are already underway. These include the measures outlined
in the Chairman’s Statement, Mining Review and Financial Review &
Performance sections of the 2019 Annual report and Accounts. The final impact
of the Covid-19 pandemic remains uncertain and the Group will adapt plans
accordingly as more information becomes available or government advice
changes.
The other principal risks as stated in the 2019 Annual Report & Accounts
reflect the challenging environment in which the business operates and are
considered under the following broad headings:
Mining:
- Coal price risk
- Mining risk
- Currency risk
- New reserves and mining permissions
- Power supply risk
- Flooding risk
- Environmental risk
- Health & safety risk
- Labour risk
- Cashflow
Property:
- Property valuation
- Economic performance of United Kingdom
- Covid-19
- Brexit
9. Board approval
These interim results were approved by the Board of Bisichi PLC on 31 August
2020.
DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND REPORT ON PRINCIPAL RISKS AND
UNCERTAINITIES
Responsibility Statement
We confirm to the best of our knowledge:
(a) the condensed set of financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the
EU;
(b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information
required by:
(1) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication
of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the
financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements;
and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining
six months of the year; and
(2) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party
transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current
financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or
performance of the entity during the period; and any changes in the related
party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.
This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on
current estimates and projections of management and currently available
information. Future statements are not guarantees of the future developments
and results outlined therein. Rather, future developments and results are
dependent on a number of factors; they involve various risks and uncertainties
and are based upon assumptions that may not prove to be accurate. Risks and
uncertainties identified by the Group are set out on page 11 of the 2019
Annual Report & Accounts. We do not assume any obligation to update the
forward-looking statements contained in this report.
Michael Heller Andrew Heller
Chairman Managing Director
31 August 2020
DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS
Directors Sir Michael A Heller MA, FCA (Chairman)
Andrew R Heller MA, ACA (Managing Director)
Robert Grobler PR Cert Eng (Mining Director)
Garrett Casey CA (SA) (Finance Director)
Christopher A Joll MA (Non-executive)
John A Sibbald MA (Non-executive)
Secretary & Registered office Garrett Casey CA (SA)
24 Bruton Place London W1J 6NE
Black Wattle Colliery - Directors Andrew Heller (Managing Director)
Garrett Casey (Finance Director)
Ethan Dube (Commercial Director)
Robert Grobler (Mining Director)
Millicent Zvarayi
Registrars and transfer office Link Asset Services
Shareholder Services
The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU
UK Telephone: 0371 664 0300 International Telephone: +44 (0) 371 664 0300
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Website: www.linkassetservices.com E-mail: shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk
Company registration number 112155 (Incorporated in England and Wales)
Web site www.bisichi.co.uk
E-mail admin@bisichi.co.uk
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