South32 Limited - Quarterly Report: March 2026
RNS Number : 4140B South32 Limited 22 April 2026 QUARTERLY REPORT March 2026 South32 Chief Executive Officer, Graham Kerr: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Simon Mukwarami, who was fatally injured in an incident at Worsley Alumina on 14 March. "We know we must have a relentless focus on safety in everything we do. There is no acceptable outcome other than our people going home safe and well at the end of every shift. "Our teams delivered several strong operating results in the March quarter, despite adverse weather impacts. Hillside Aluminium continued to test its maximum technical capacity, capitalising on higher aluminium prices, while Brazil Alumina achieved record year to date production, and Sierra Gorda made a record quarterly distribution of US$135M. "We've maintained annual production guidance for all operations except Australia Manganese, where we continued to manage elevated site water levels in addition to the impacts of wet season rainfall and Tropical Cyclone Narelle in the quarter. "Operating performance coupled with commodity price tailwinds delivered net cash generation of US$121M in the March quarter, after investment in growth of US$158M as we advanced construction of Hermosa's Taylor zinc-lead-silver project. "Our strong balance sheet leaves us well placed to manage short-term volatility in global markets, while continuing shareholder returns and investing in high-quality growth options to increase our production of copper, zinc and silver."
| · | Alumina production increased by 1% year to date to March 2026, with Brazil Alumina achieving record production. | ||||||
| · | Aluminium production was largely unchanged relative to the prior year to date period, as Hillside Aluminium continued to test its maximum technical capacity. | ||||||
| · | Brazil Aluminium finished the quarter with improved pot stability and output, tracking ahead of current production guidance. | ||||||
| · | Mozal Aluminium transitioned to care and maintenance as planned in March1, exceeding production guidance by 3%. | ||||||
| · | Sierra Gorda maintained production guidance despite wet weather impacts and delivered a record quarterly distribution of US$135M (South32 share). | ||||||
| · | Cannington mitigated impacts from significant floods in northwest Queensland and remains on track to deliver production guidance and higher sales volumes in the June 2026 quarter, with third-party rail access restored late in the quarter. | ||||||
| · | Australia Manganese FY26 production guidance revised lower by 6%, with water management remaining a key focus due to elevated site water levels and impacts from wet season rainfall and Tropical Cyclone Narelle in the quarter. | ||||||
| · | Net cash2 increased by US$121M to US$96M in the March 2026 quarter, as we benefitted from continued strength in aluminium and base metals markets, and invested US$158M in growth capital expenditure at our Hermosa project. | ||||||
| · | Following the end of the quarter, we paid a fully-franked interim ordinary dividend of US$175M in respect of the December 2025 half year. | ||||||
| · | Hermosa reached a key milestone in FAST-41 federal permitting during the quarter, with issuance of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision. | ||||||
| · | We are on track to complete an assessment of project milestones and capital expenditure for Hermosa's Taylor zinc-lead-silver project during the upcoming June 2026 half year, as additional underground and surface infrastructure packages are awarded. | ||||||
| Production summary | |||||||
| 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 9M YTD26 | FY26e(a) | % of FY26e(a) | |||
| Worsley Alumina (kt) | 959 | 886 | 2,779 | 3,750 | 74% | ||
| Brazil Alumina (non-operated) (kt) | 355 | 351 | 1,060 | 1,360 | 78% | ||
| Brazil Aluminium (non-operated) (kt) | 37 | 33 | 107 | 135 | 79% | ||
| Hillside Aluminium (kt)3 | 181 | 176 | 538 | 720 | 75% | ||
| Mozal Aluminium (kt)3 | 90 | 65 | 248 | 240(b) | 103% | ||
| Sierra Gorda (non-operated) (CuEq) (kt)4 | 22.1 | 20.2 | 67.2 | 85.7 | 78% | ||
| Cannington (ZnEq) (kt)5 | 54.5 | 44.8 | 147.6 | 200.6 | 74% | ||
| Australia Manganese (kwmt) | 806 | 589 | 2,249 | ↓3,000 | 75% | ||
| South Africa Manganese (kwmt) | 506 | 500 | 1,557 | 2,000 | 78% | ||
| (a) The denotation (e) refers to an estimate or forecast year. (b) FY26e production guidance for Mozal Aluminium reflects the period ending March 2026. | |||||||
| · | On 14 March 2026, Mr Simon Mukwarami was fatally injured in an incident at Worsley Alumina. Our deepest sympathies are with Mr Mukwarami's family and colleagues. The incident occurred while Mr Mukwarami and his work crew were undertaking plant maintenance at the refinery. Work not critical to the safety and stability of the site was temporarily suspended following the incident. Worsley Alumina is continuing to assist the relevant authorities with their ongoing investigations. |
| · | We have implemented measures across our operations to mitigate potential supply chain impacts arising from the conflict in the Middle East. While not currently experiencing diesel fuel shortages, we continue to closely monitor the situation. |
| · | The conflict in the Middle East has resulted in higher global freight rates and raw material input prices which, together with generally stronger producer currencies, are expected to result in cost inflation should these external pressures continue across the remainder of the financial year. |
| · | Net cash2 increased by US$121M to US$96M in the March 2026 quarter, as we benefitted from continued strength in aluminium and base metals markets, and invested US$158M in growth capital expenditure at Hermosa. |
| · | Working capital was largely unchanged in the March 2026 quarter (H1 FY26: build of US$130M), as the collection of receivables was offset by higher finished goods inventory, reflecting the timing of aluminium shipments and weather-related rail outages at Cannington. We expect to lower finished goods inventory at Mozal Aluminium and Cannington during the June 2026 quarter. |
| · | We received a record distribution of US$135M from Sierra Gorda in the March 2026 quarter, bringing our share of net distributions6 from equity accounted investments (EAI) to US$375M (South32 share) in the nine months ended March 2026 (US$315M from Sierra Gorda and US$60M from our manganese business). |
| · | We invested US$239M in Group capital expenditure (excluding EAIs and Hermosa) in the nine months ended March 2026. |
| · | We made Group tax payments (excluding EAIs) of US$170M in the nine months ended March 2026. |
| · | We returned US$35M via our on-market share buy-back in the nine months ended March 2026, purchasing 17M shares at an average price of A$3.08 per share. In February 2026, we increased our capital management program by US$100M to US$2.6B, with US$209M remaining to be returned to shareholders ahead of its extension or expiry on 26 February 20277. |
| · | Following the end of the March 2026 quarter, we paid a fully-franked interim ordinary dividend of US$175M in respect of the December 2025 half year. |
| · | Additional lease liabilities with a value of approximately US$100M were added to the Group's balance sheet in the nine months ended March 2026. |
| · | We invested US$496M8 of growth capital expenditure at Hermosa in the nine months ended March 2026, continuing construction of the Taylor zinc-lead-silver project, and completing the exploration decline at the Clark battery-grade manganese deposit in the December 2025 quarter. In addition, lease payments for self generated power and other assets were US$40M in the nine months ended March 2026. |
| · | Hermosa reached a key milestone in the FAST-41 federal permitting process during the quarter, with the United States Forest Service releasing the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision. The Final Record of Decision remains on track for the December 2026 half year. |
| · | At Taylor, lateral development and shaft station construction at the first underground mining level from the ventilation shaft was completed during the quarter, after which ventilation shaft sinking resumed. Lateral development and shaft station construction at the first underground mining level from the main shaft commenced during the quarter. |
| · | Surface infrastructure construction also progressed, as we completed foundation works for the flotation circuit and commenced installation of the primary mill during the quarter. |
| · | As advised in February 2026, an assessment of Taylor project milestones and capital expenditure will be completed in the June 2026 half year as additional underground and surface infrastructure packages are awarded. |
| · | We invested US$24M in capitalised exploration in the nine months ended March 2026, continuing exploration drilling at the Peake copper deposit, with results supporting the potential for a continuous mineralised system connecting Peake and Taylor Deeps. |
| · | The Ambler Metals joint venture completed preparatory work to support exploration programs in the upcoming CY26 summer field season. Ambler Metals expects to invest approximately US$35M (100% basis) in exploration and development work in CY26, focused on advancing the high-grade Arctic polymetallic deposit. |
| · | We invested US$20M in our greenfield exploration opportunities in the nine months ended March 2026, progressing multiple exploration programs targeting base metals in highly prospective regions. |
| · | We invested US$45M (US$33M capitalised) in exploration programs at our existing operations and development options in the nine months ended March 2026, including US$24M at our Hermosa project (noted above, all capitalised), US$9M for our Sierra Gorda EAI (US$5M capitalised) and US$4M for our manganese EAI (US$1M capitalised). |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Alumina production (kt) | 2,791 | 2,779 | (0%) | 941 | 959 | 886 | (6%) | (8%) | |
| Alumina sales (kt) | 2,699 | 2,699 | 0% | 910 | 985 | 836 | (8%) | (15%) |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Alumina production (kt) | 1,006 | 1,060 | 5% | 324 | 355 | 351 | 8% | (1%) | |
| Alumina sales (kt) | 1,014 | 1,052 | 4% | 323 | 387 | 333 | 3% | (14%) |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Aluminium production (kt) | 100 | 107 | 7% | 36 | 37 | 33 | (8%) | (11%) | |
| Aluminium sales (kt) | 92 | 101 | 10% | 31 | 45 | 27 | (13%) | (40%) |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Aluminium production (kt) | 537 | 538 | 0% | 175 | 181 | 176 | 1% | (3%) | |
| Aluminium sales (kt) | 538 | 514 | (4%) | 171 | 187 | 158 | (8%) | (16%) |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Aluminium production (kt) | 265 | 248 | (6%) | 87 | 90 | 65 | (25%) | (28%) | |
| Aluminium sales (kt) | 246 | 229 | (7%) | 72 | 62 | 67 | (7%) | 8% |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Payable copper equivalent production (kt)4 | 67.4 | 67.2 | (0%) | 20.2 | 22.1 | 20.2 | 0% | (9%) | |
| Payable copper production (kt) | 53.7 | 53.2 | (1%) | 17.0 | 18.0 | 16.9 | (1%) | (6%) | |
| Payable copper sales (kt) | 54.8 | 51.8 | (5%) | 16.9 | 19.3 | 15.3 | (9%) | (21%) |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Payable zinc equivalent production (kt)5 | 174.7 | 147.6 | (16%) | 48.9 | 54.5 | 44.8 | (8%) | (18%) | |
| Payable silver production (koz) | 7,714 | 6,400 | (17%) | 2,099 | 2,420 | 1,913 | (9%) | (21%) | |
| Payable silver sales (koz) | 7,963 | 5,452 | (32%) | 2,494 | 2,421 | 882 | (65%) | (64%) | |
| Payable lead production (kt) | 67.3 | 60.1 | (11%) | 17.7 | 21.0 | 17.8 | 1% | (15%) | |
| Payable lead sales (kt) | 74.1 | 52.0 | (30%) | 19.8 | 21.7 | 9.3 | (53%) | (57%) | |
| Payable zinc production (kt) | 33.9 | 27.8 | (18%) | 11.0 | 10.4 | 9.1 | (17%) | (13%) | |
| Payable zinc sales (kt) | 32.6 | 25.7 | (21%) | 9.6 | 9.6 | 8.8 | (8%) | (8%) |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Manganese ore production (kwmt) | 639 | 2,249 | 252% | - | 806 | 589 | N/A | (27%) | |
| Manganese ore sales (kwmt) | - | 2,677 | N/A | - | 865 | 868 | N/A | 0% |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | YoY | 3Q25 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | 3Q26 vs 3Q25 | 3Q26 vs 2Q26 | |
| Manganese ore production (kwmt) | 1,558 | 1,557 | (0%) | 476 | 506 | 500 | 5% | (1%) | |
| Manganese ore sales (kwmt) | 1,495 | 1,595 | 7% | 407 | 546 | 501 | 23% | (8%) |
| 1. | Refer to market release "Mozal Aluminium placed on care and maintenance" dated 16 March 2026. |
| 2. | Net cash number is unaudited and should not be considered as an indication of or alternative to an IFRS measure of profitability, financial performance or liquidity. |
| 3. | Production guidance for Hillside Aluminium and Mozal Aluminium does not assume any load-shedding impact on production. |
| 4. | Payable copper equivalent production (CuEq) (kt) was calculated by aggregating revenues from copper, molybdenum, gold and silver, and dividing the total Revenue by the price of copper. FY25 realised prices for copper (US$4.18/lb), molybdenum (US$21.12/lb), gold (US$2,877/oz) and silver (US$31.7/oz) have been used for FY25, YTD FY26 and FY26e. |
| 5. | Payable zinc equivalent production (ZnEq) (kt) was calculated by aggregating revenues from silver, lead and zinc, and dividing the total Revenue by the price of zinc.FY25 realised prices for zinc (US$2,648/t), lead (US$1,883/t) and silver (US$31.9/oz) have been used for FY25, YTD FY26 and FY26e. |
| 6. | Net distributions from our material equity accounted investments (EAI) (manganese and Sierra Gorda) include dividends, capital contributions/redemptions and net repayments/drawdowns of shareholder loans, which are unaudited and should not be considered as an indication of or alternative to an IFRS measure of profitability, financial performance or liquidity. |
| 7. | Since inception of our capital management program, US$1.8B has been allocated to our on-market share buy-back (837M shares at an average price of A$3.06 per share) and US$525M returned in the form of special dividends. |
| 8. | Hermosa growth capital expenditure excludes lease payments for self generated power and other assets directly attributable to construction of infrastructure at the Taylor project. These costs were included in our capital cost estimate provided in market release "Final Investment Approval to Develop Hermosa's Taylor Deposit" dated 15 February 2024. |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | 3Q25 | 4Q25 | 1Q26 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | |
| Worsley Alumina (86% share) | ||||||||
| Alumina hydrate production (kt) | 2,803 | 2,794 | 931 | 922 | 940 | 955 | 899 | |
| Alumina production (kt) | 2,791 | 2,779 | 941 | 936 | 934 | 959 | 886 | |
| Alumina sales (kt) | 2,699 | 2,699 | 910 | 1,000 | 878 | 985 | 836 | |
| Brazil Alumina (36% share) | ||||||||
| Alumina production (kt) | 1,006 | 1,060 | 324 | 334 | 354 | 355 | 351 | |
| Alumina sales (kt) | 1,014 | 1,052 | 323 | 335 | 332 | 387 | 333 | |
| Brazil Aluminium (40% share) | ||||||||
| Aluminium production (kt) | 100 | 107 | 36 | 38 | 37 | 37 | 33 | |
| Aluminium sales (kt) | 92 | 101 | 31 | 46 | 29 | 45 | 27 | |
| Hillside Aluminium (100% share) | ||||||||
| Aluminium production (kt) | 537 | 538 | 175 | 181 | 181 | 181 | 176 | |
| Aluminium sales (kt) | 538 | 514 | 171 | 194 | 169 | 187 | 158 | |
| Mozal Aluminium (63.7% share) | ||||||||
| Aluminium production (kt) | 265 | 248 | 87 | 90 | 93 | 90 | 65 | |
| Aluminium sales (kt) | 246 | 229 | 72 | 105 | 100 | 62 | 67 | |
| Sierra Gorda (45% share) | ||||||||
| Ore mined (Mt) | 17.5 | 16.1 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 4.5 | |
| Ore processed (Mt) | 16.3 | 15.8 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 4.9 | |
| Copper ore grade processed (%, Cu) | 0.42 | 0.43 | 0.42 | 0.40 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.45 | |
| Payable copper equivalent production (kt)4 | 67.4 | 67.2 | 20.2 | 22.3 | 24.9 | 22.1 | 20.2 | |
| Payable copper production (kt) | 53.7 | 53.2 | 17.0 | 17.7 | 18.3 | 18.0 | 16.9 | |
| Payable copper sales (kt) | 54.8 | 51.8 | 16.9 | 18.1 | 17.2 | 19.3 | 15.3 | |
| Payable molybdenum production (kt) | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | |
| Payable molybdenum sales (kt) | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | |
| Payable gold production (koz) | 21.6 | 14.6 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 4.6 | 3.7 | |
| Payable gold sales (koz) | 22.2 | 14.4 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 5.9 | 5.3 | 3.2 | |
| Payable silver production (koz) | 432 | 552 | 131 | 152 | 159 | 189 | 204 | |
| Payable silver sales (koz) | 447 | 530 | 130 | 152 | 151 | 193 | 186 |
| South32 share | 9M YTD25 | 9M YTD26 | 3Q25 | 4Q25 | 1Q26 | 2Q26 | 3Q26 | |
| Cannington (100% share) | ||||||||
| Ore mined (kwmt) | 1,456 | 1,549 | 457 | 504 | 585 | 503 | 461 | |
| Ore processed (kdmt) | 1,409 | 1,554 | 427 | 535 | 504 | 505 | 545 | |
| Silver ore grade processed (g/t, Ag) | 197 | 150 | 176 | 175 | 148 | 170 | 133 | |
| Lead ore grade processed (%, Pb) | 5.6 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 4.1 | |
| Zinc ore grade processed (%, Zn) | 3.3 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.4 | |
| Payable zinc equivalent production (kt)5 | 174.7 | 147.6 | 48.9 | 59.5 | 48.3 | 54.5 | 44.8 | |
| Payable silver production (koz) | 7,714 | 6,400 | 2,099 | 2,578 | 2,067 | 2,420 | 1,913 | |
| Payable silver sales (koz) | 7,963 | 5,452 | 2,494 | 3,056 | 2,149 | 2,421 | 882 | |
| Payable lead production (kt) | 67.3 | 60.1 | 17.7 | 25.1 | 21.3 | 21.0 | 17.8 | |
| Payable lead sales (kt) | 74.1 | 52.0 | 19.8 | 25.2 | 21.0 | 21.7 | 9.3 | |
| Payable zinc production (kt) | 33.9 | 27.8 | 11.0 | 10.6 | 8.3 | 10.4 | 9.1 | |
| Payable zinc sales (kt) | 32.6 | 25.7 | 9.6 | 13.1 | 7.3 | 9.6 | 8.8 | |
| Australia Manganese (60% share) | ||||||||
| Manganese ore production (kwmt) | 639 | 2,249 | - | 467 | 854 | 806 | 589 | |
| Manganese ore sales (kwmt) | - | 2,677 | - | 253 | 944 | 865 | 868 | |
| Ore grade sold (%, Mn) | - | 41.5 | - | 41.7 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 41.7 | |
| South Africa Manganese (54.6% share) | ||||||||
| Manganese ore production (kwmt) | 1,558 | 1,557 | 476 | 593 | 551 | 506 | 500 | |
| Manganese ore sales (kwmt) | 1,495 | 1,595 | 407 | 601 | 548 | 546 | 501 | |
| Ore grade sold (%, Mn) | 39.0 | 38.5 | 38.9 | 38.7 | 38.3 | 38.4 | 38.8 |
| INVESTOR RELATIONS Ben Baker M +61 403 763 086 E Ben.Baker@south32.net | MEDIA RELATIONS Jamie Macdonald M +61 408 925 140 E Jamie.Macdonald@south32.net |
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