PAM - Palabora Mining - Reviewed Provisional Results And Dividend Announcement8 Feb 2010
PAM
PAM                                                                             
PAM - Palabora Mining - Reviewed Provisional Results And Dividend Announcement  
For The Year Ended 31 December 2009                                             
Palabora Mining                                                                 
Company Limited and its Subsidiaries                                            
(a member of the Rio Tinto Group)                                               
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Reg. No. 1956/002134/06)                                                       
JSE Code: PAM          ISIN: ZAE000005245                                       
("Group" or "Palabora" or "the Company")                                        
REVIEWED PROVISIONAL RESULTS AND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT for the year ended 31    
December 2009                                                                   
COMMENTARY                                                                      
Overview                                                                        
Commenting on the full year results for Palabora, Managing Director Matthew     
Gili said, "Palabora`s profit in 2009 is pleasing in light of the global        
financial crisis."                                                              
"Gross revenue was lower in 2009 compared with 2008 because of a 37% decrease   
in copper prices which was partially offset by a 35% increase in magnetite      
sales over 2008 and a 42% increase in magnetite pricing.  In addition, net      
revenue was positively impacted by the reduction in hedge related costs.        
Mr. Gili said repairs and maintenance in several mine production centers along  
with an increase in purchased cathode lead to higher cost of sales and          
increased production and sales of magnetite lead to an increase in selling and  
distribution costs.                                                             
"We remain cautiously optimistic markets will continue to strengthen in 2010,   
with demand for Copper and Magnetite remaining buoyant," Mr. Gili said.         
The senior term facility was settled in 2009 with the final repayment of R80    
million. The Company has outstanding debt totaling R102 million on its          
revolving credit facility.                                                      
A contractor at Palabora lost his life during 2009. Palabora is saddened by     
the                                                                             
fatality and management continues to focus its efforts to ensure a safe         
working environment by increasing management visibility and continued           
engagement and education of the work force about accepting personal             
responsibility towards safety.                                                  
The Board declared a dividend of R6.20 per share.                               
Group financial results                                                         
                                               Reviewed            Audited      
For the year ended                           31 December        31 December     
2009               2008      
Net profit for the year                     R284 million       R720 million     
Basic earnings per share                       587 cents        1 489 cents     
Earnings before interest, income tax,                                           
depreciation and                                                                
amortisation (EBITDA)                     R1 128 million     R1 308 million     
Headline earnings (note 8)                  R289 million       R721 million     
Headline earnings per share                    598 cents        1 493 cents     
Net cash (excluding hedge) (note 12)      R1 292 million       R555 million     
Dividend per share (declared)                      R6.20              R0.82     
Net profit                                                                      
The net profit for the year decreased from R720 million in 2008 to R284         
million in 2009, or 1 489 cents per share in 2008 compared with 587 cents per   
share for 2009. Headline earnings per share also decreased from 1 493 cents     
per share in 2008 to 598 cents per share in 2009.                               
Sales revenue                                                                   
Sales of products decreased by R352 million (6%) to R5 831 million in 2009,     
mainly as a result of the following:                                            
* Lower average copper prices realised which resulted in a decrease of R1 320   
million in sales (the realised average copper price was 231 USc/lb in 2009      
compared with 317 USc/lb in 2008);                                              
* A decrease of 26% in other by-products sales of R62 million from R238         
million                                                                         
in 2008 to R176 million in 2009, mainly due to reduced industrial demand for    
sulphuric acid; and                                                             
* A decline of R13 million in sales due to vermiculite sales volumes            
decreasing                                                                      
by 3% from 188 825 tonnes in 2008 to 183 264 tonnes in 2009;                    
The decreases were partially offset by:                                         
* An increase in sales of R395 million as a result of higher magnetite sales    
volumes. In 2009 magnetite sold were 2 569 thousand tonnes, a 35% increase      
compared with 1 899 thousand tonnes in 2008;                                    
* Higher magnetite and vermiculite prices increased sales by R319 million and   
R24 million respectively. Magnetite prices increased due to changes in terms    
of                                                                              
sale from Freight-on-Board (FOB) to Cost-Freight-Insurance (CFI)/Cost-Freight-  
Rail (CFR) for exported magnetite;                                              
* Higher realised copper premiums increased revenue by R145 million;            
* A marginal increase in cathode and copper rod sales volumes from 75 594       
tonnes in 2008 to 76 673 tonnes in 2009 contributed an additional R83 million   
in revenue; and                                                                 
* The weakening of the average Rand/US$ exchange rate for the year from 8.26    
in                                                                              
2008 to 8.33 in 2009 increased sales by R77 million.                            
Product sales as a % of total sales                           2009     2008     
Copper                                                         64%      78%     
Industrial minerals (vermiculite)                               7%       6%     
Magnetite                                                      26%      12%     
Other by-products                                               3%       4%     
Total                                                         100%     100%     
The Group achieved an average realised selling price (post hedge) for copper    
rod and cathode of R36 307 per tonne(2008: R40 426) and R44 249 per             
tonne(2008: R40 433)respectively.                                               
The sales was further positively impacted by lower realised hedging losses      
resulting from the contractual reduction in the swap settlement terms from 42   
thousand tonnes of copper in 2008 to 22 thousand tonnes in 2009.  This          
resulted in a R1 031 million reduction in swap settlement costs in 2009.        
Production and sales volumes                                                    
Copper cathode produced for sale decreased 9% from 75.9 thousand tonnes in      
2008 to 69.4 thousand tonnes in 2009.  Copper sales volumes increased 2.3%      
from 85 thousand tonnes in 2008 to 87 thousand tonnes in 2009. Magnetite sales  
volumes increased 35% from 1 898 thousand tonnes in 2008 to 2 568 thousand      
tonnes in 2009.  Acid sales volumes decreased 22% from 109 thousand tonnes in   
2008 to 85 thousand tonnes in 2009.                                             
Cost of sales                                                                   
The Group has adopted a robust cost containment and cash flow preservation      
strategy in response to the world economic recession. Discretionary spending    
was curtailed and new labour recruits restricted to critical areas only.        
The total Group cost of sales increased by 13%, from R2 761 million in 2008 to  
R3 106 million in 2009. The increase in cost of sales was largely impacted by:  
* An increase in cathodes purchased. In light of production difficulties faced  
during the second half of the year, 7 085 tonnes of cathodes were purchased at  
a cost of R343 million, of which 6 231 tonnes were converted into rod and 854   
tonnes were sold directly. In 2008 Palabora purchased 753 tonnes of copper      
cathode at a cost of R49 million.                                               
* Increased plant maintenance costs. Plant breakdown-related expenses           
increased                                                                       
repairs and maintenance costs by 8% to R645 million in 2009 compared with R595  
million in 2008. This was as a result of smelter breakdowns, failure on one of  
the auto mill motors and a breakdown of the north winder drum;                  
* Employee costs increased by R84 million, an increase of 12%. Although a       
hiring freeze of non-critical positions was imposed, the annual salary          
increase and retention strategies introduced during the previous financial      
year impacted on the costs;                                                     
* Depreciation expense (a non-cash charge) increased by R81 million compared    
with the 2008 year, representing a 17% increase from R470 million in 2008 to    
R551 million in 2009. This is attributed to the additions during the second     
half of 2008 and during the current year, as well as an escalated depreciation  
factor based on the lower copper yield as was assessed in the annual ore        
reserve statement at the end of the previous financial year;                    
* Increases in power tariffs. The 27% tariff increase by Eskom in July 2009     
increased costs by R38 million.                                                 
Changes in inventory of finished goods and work in progress of R210 million in  
2009, compared with a credit of R240 million in 2008, resulted in an increase   
of R450 million in cost of sales.                                               
The Group saved R509 million on supplementary copper concentrate purchases due  
to the lower copper prices paid in addition to the 44% reduction in volumes     
purchased of 8 569 tonnes in 2009 compared with 15 396 tonnes in 2008.          
Earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)    
The Group achieved earnings before interest, income tax expense, depreciation   
and amortisation (EBITDA) of R1 128 million in 2009 compared with R1 308        
million in 2008. EBITDA is calculated by adding depreciation and amortisation   
charges (refer to note 4) to the profit before net finance costs and tax as     
reported on the face of the income statement.                                   
Selling and distribution costs                                                  
Selling and distribution costs increased by R599 million. The increase in the   
selling and distribution costs from R587 million in 2008 to R1 185 million for  
2009 is mainly as a result of higher magnetite volumes sold, the change in      
magnetite shipping terms from FOB to CFI/CFR and increased freight and          
railage-to-port rates. Administration costs increased by R44 million.           
Earnings before Interest and taxes (EBIT)                                       
The Group`s profit before interest and tax was R577 million compared with R838  
million in 2008, a decrease of R261 million.                                    
Finance costs                                                                   
Net finance cost increased by R116 million due to higher foreign exchange       
losses on revaluations of financial instruments.                                
Income taxes                                                                    
The effective tax rate increased from 13.3% to 37.3% in 2009 mainly as a        
result                                                                          
of the tax legislation changes (Royalty Act) that impacted the recognition of   
deferred tax on the State share in 2008. See notes 6 & 10.                      
Cash flow                                                                       
For the year ended 31 December 2009, the Group recorded net cash inflows of     
R745 million compared with net cash outflows of R175 million in 2008, mainly    
due to lower dividend and tax payments, pension fund surplus received,          
decrease                                                                        
in investing activities due to the postponement of non-critical capital         
projects until market conditions improve, and lower repayments on borrowings.   
Cash generated from operations during the year totalled R1 073 million. After   
receiving the pension surplus of R241 million, tax payments of R253 million,    
funding the dividend payments of R119 million, net investing activities of      
R111                                                                            
million, repayment of borrowings of R80 million, net interest payments of R6    
million and excluding exchange losses of R97 million, the closing cash          
position                                                                        
was R1 395 million (compared with R747 million in 2008).                        
Capital investment of R132 million was primarily spent on the underground mine  
(R65 million), concentrator (R24 million) and the smelter (R26 million). The    
main capital costs spent in 2009 for the underground mine relate to committed   
development costs of the Western Extension (R27 million), replacement of 4      
LHD`s (R15 million) and winder costs (R14 million). The concentrators main      
capital projects for 2009 consisted of the construction of the south paddock    
tailings dams (R10 million), re- medial work at the dams (R6 million) and       
improvements to the Magnetite load out and booster station (R5 million),        
whilst                                                                          
the smelter`s capital costs consisted of statutory replacements of waste heat   
boilers one and two. The net cash outflow was offset by other investing         
activities of R22 million.                                                      
The R80 million used in financing activities was for the final repayment of     
the                                                                             
senior term facility.                                                           
Net cash                                                                        
Net cash increased from R555 million in 2008 to R1 292 million in 2009 as a     
result of an increased emphasis on preserving cash through dedicated focus on   
the working capital management and efficiency programme. Palabora finally       
received the employer`s portion of the pension fund surplus in October 2009,    
amounting to R241 milllion.                                                     
Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)                                                
It is presently envisaged that 26% of a newly formed, special purpose           
subsidiary of Palabora, which subsidiary will acquire all or an appropriate     
part of Palabora`s business under the potential broad based BEE transaction     
("the transaction"), will be held by a combination of(i) the consortium, (ii)   
Palabora employees and (iii) a trust established forthe communities of the Ba-  
Phalaborwa area, with the remaining 74% held by Palabora. Mr. George Negota is  
leading a consortium of entrepreneurs ("the consortium") to acquire an equity   
interest not exceeding 6%. Due to the potential conflict of interest, Mr.       
Negota was recused from Board discussions relating to the Transaction at the    
Board meeting held on 23 February 2009, and resigned from the Board with        
effect from 24 March 2009.                                                      
On 30 April 2009, Palabora signed and submitted a Transaction Framework         
Agreement (TFA) bearing the signatures of its Broad Based Black Economic        
Empowerment (BBBEE) partners to the Department of Minerals and Resources (DMR)  
in Polokwane. The negotiations to finalise terms of the agreement have entered  
final stages and the new structure is projected to be concluded during 2010.    
Declaration of dividend                                                         
A cash dividend of R6.20 per share has been declared. Payment in South African  
Rand will be made on Monday, 8 March 2010 to shareholders recorded in the       
register of Palabora on 5 March 2010. The last day to trade to                  
qualify for the dividend will be Friday, 26 February 2010 and the shares will   
trade ex-dividend from Monday, 1 March 2010. Share certificates may not be      
dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 1 March 2010 and Friday, 5     
March 2010, both days inclusive.                                                
This financial report does not reflect this dividend payable, which will be     
recognised in shareholders` equity as an appropriation of retained earnings in  
the year ending 31 December 2010. Refer to note 14 for details on the           
dividends paid during the year.                                                 
Corporate Governance                                                            
Mr. George Negota resigned as a non-executive director and Chairman of the      
Board, with effect from 24 March 2009 (see BEE).                                
With effect from 24 March 2009, Mr. Clifford Zungu has been appointed as        
interim Chairman of the Board. Mr. Zungu has been an independent non-executive  
director of Palabora since April 2002 and held the chairmanship during the      
2006 financial year.                                                            
Mr. Clive Latcham resigned as a non-executive director of the Board, with       
effect from 31 July 2009. With effect from 1 August 2009, Mr. Lindsay           
Kirsner was appointed as a non-executive director of the Board. Mr. Kirsner     
has in excess of 19 years mining industry experience in a range of roles in     
mineral exploration, business development, resource development and             
projects. Mr. Kirsner holds a science degree (geology & chemistry) and an       
MBA, both from the University of Melbourne and has been with the Rio Tinto      
Group since 2000. Presently, he holds the role of Mining Executive, Copper.     
Mr. Philip J. Robinson resigned as an alternate non-executive director of the   
Board, with effect from 18 September 2009. With effect from 21 September        
2009, Mrs Jo-Ann S. Yuen was appointed as an alternate non-executive            
director. Jo-Ann is Australian and was based in Rio Tinto`s London office       
from 2003 to March 2008 and has been based in North America since April         
2008. She is currently the Chief Adviser Finance to Rio Tinto Copper group      
and previously the Chief Financial Officer of Rio Tinto copper projects. Jo-    
Ann is a chartered accountant with a master of business administration from     
the                                                                             
University of Western Australia, together with a diploma in applied finance     
from the Securities Institute of Australia.                                     
At 31 December 2009 the Palabora Board was constituted as follows:              
DIRECTORS                                                  ALTERNATE DIRECTORS  
1. Clifford N. Zungu (Chairman)                                      -          
2. Matthew D. Gili (Managing Director)*+                             -          
3. Charles A. Asubonten (Chief Financial Officer)*+                  -          
4. Shelley Thomas                                                    -          
5. Johan C. Posthumus                                                -          
6. Kay S. Priestly+                                           Jo-Ann S. Yuen    
7. Lindsay W. Kirsner                                       Coen H. Louwarts#   
* Executive Directors +American  Australian # Dutch                             
The following changes occurred since 31 December 2009:                          
Mr. Charles A. Asubonten`s secondment contract as Chief Financial Officer from  
Rio Tinto to the Company ended on 31 December 2009. Charles remains a board     
member until further notice. With effect from 1 January 2010, Mr. Marshall      
Bruce Snyder has been appointed in the interim as acting Chief Financial        
Officer whilst a comprehensive recruitment process for a suitable candidate     
is undertaken. Bruce is American and was based in Rio Tinto`s Salt Lake         
City office from 2002. He is currently a Business Development Executive for     
Rio Tinto in the Copper Group. He has had previous Finance, Accounting,         
Treasury and                                                                    
Investor relations roles with several New York Stock Exchange publicly held     
real estate operating companies. Bruce holds BBA Accounting and MBA Finance     
and Investment degrees from the George Washington University.                   
During his tenure Charles Asubonten focused on value and risk management in     
improving the balance sheet of Palabora. He was instrumental in the initial     
structuring of a Black Economic Empowerment transaction to fit the economics    
of Palabora, surrounding communities, and the employees.                        
Commenting on Charles` tenure as CFO, Clifford Zungu, Chairman of the board     
stated: "Charles leaves behind an improved balance sheet with an enhanced cash  
position and we appreciate his efforts."                                        
With effect from 11 January 2010, Mr. Ray Abrahams and Ms Francine Ann du       
Plessis were appointed as Independent Non Executive Directors. Mr. Abrahams     
joins the Company with significant practical experience in operations, design,  
construction, maintenance and projects within the mechanical engineering        
fields of opencast mining, petrochemical, utilities and manufacturing           
industries. Mr. Abrahams is a member of several professional organizations      
including the Institute of Directors, Engineering Council of South Africa,      
Black Management Forum and Future Leaders Forum. He holds a BSc (Mech Eng)      
from Wits University, He is a registered professional engineer and also holds   
Government Certificates of Competency in Mining and Factories from the          
Departments of Labor and Minerals and Energy respectively. Ms. Du Plessis       
joins the Company with extensive experience as a Director. She has held         
several positions as director as well as                                        
serving on Board committees in many listed and non listed companies including   
SAA (Pty) Ltd, KWV Limited, Sanlam Limited, Naspers Limited. She was admitted   
as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa (Cape Town) in 1994 and she    
was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Stellenboch, Department of           
Accounting Faculty of Commerce and Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of     
Law                                                                             
in 1985 to 1993. Ms. Du Plessis is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds   
B                                                                               
Comm (Hons) (Taxation), LLB, and B Comm (Law) degrees from the University of    
Stellenbosch.                                                                   
Appreciation                                                                    
Once again we offer our thanks and appreciation to all stakeholders for their   
continued assistance in Palabora`s quest to deliver value.                      
C Zungu           MD Gili                      MB Snyder                        
Chairman          Managing Director            Chief Financial Officer          
(Acting)                                                                        
8 February 2010                                                                 
REVIEWED PROVISIONAL                                                            
CONDENSED GROUP RESULTS                                                         
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT                                         
for the year ended 31 December 2009                                             
Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                      Note           R`000           R`000      
Sales of products                                 5 830 552       6 183 013     
Hedge loss realised                               (546 677)     (1 578 433)     
Revenue                                           5 283 875       4 604 580     
Cost of sales                                   (3 105 894)     (2 760 701)     
Gross Profit                                      2 177 981       1 843 879     
Other income                                         70 569          83 844     
Exploration cost                          2        (17 866)         (3 283)     
Impairment loss                           3         (8 830)               -     
Selling and distribution costs                  (1 185 195)       (586 595)     
Administration expenses                           (447 708)       (403 734)     
Other expenses                                     (11 930)        (96 007)     
Profit before net finance costs and tax   4         577 021         838 104     
Finance costs - Net                       5       (123 671)         (8 024)     
Finance cost                                      (189 743)       (126 284)     
Finance income                                       66 072         118 260     
Profit before income tax                            453 350         830 080     
Income tax expense                        6       (169 513)       (110 541)     
Profit for the year                                 283 837         719 539     
Profit attributable to:                                                         
Equity holders of parent                            283 837         719 539     
Earnings per share from continuing                                              
operations attributable to the                                                  
equity holders of the company during                                            
the year (expressed in cents per share):                                        
- Basic and diluted earnings per share    7            587c          1 489c     
The notes on pages 11 to 23 are an integral part of these provisional           
condensed                                                                       
group results.                                                                  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                        
for the year ended 31 December 2009                                             
                                                  Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
2009            2008      
                                      Note           R`000           R`000      
Profit for the year                                 283 837         719 539     
Other comprehensive (loss) / income:                                            
Available-for-sale investments:                                                 
- Valuation gain / (loss) taken to equity            16 348        (11 811)     
Exchange differences on translation of                                          
foreign operations                                 (35 749)          14 919     
Cash flow hedges:                                                               
- (Loss) / profit arising during the year       (2 100 197)         276 040     
- Hedge ineffectiveness                               2 840          86 741     
- Transferred to profit or loss for the year        546 677       1 578 433     
Actuarial gain / (loss) on defined                                              
benefit plans                                         4 546         (2 491)     
Income tax relating to components of other                                      
comprehensive income                      6         408 559       (688 925)     
Other comprehensive (loss) / income                                             
for the year, net of tax                        (1 156 976)       1 252 906     
Total comprehensive (loss) / income                                             
for the year                                      (873 139)       1 972 445     
Total comprehensive (loss) / income                                             
attributable to:                                                                
Equity holders of the parent                      (873 139)       1 972 445     
The notes on pages 11 to 23 are an integral part of these provisional           
condensed                                                                       
group results.                                                                  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                          
as at 31 December 2009                                                          
Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                      Note           R`000           R`000      
Assets                                                                          
Non-current assets                                4 252 699       4 226 751     
Property, plant and equipment             9       2 990 083       3 413 767     
Intangible assets                                     4 871           4 105     
Other financial assets                              360 383         313 988     
Deferred income tax asset                10         897 362         494 891     
Current assets                                    2 755 215       2 357 953     
Stores                                              115 226         115 416     
Product inventories                                 618 713         837 059     
Trade and other receivables                         626 286         658 464     
Cash and cash equivalents                12       1 394 990         747 014     
Total assets                                      7 007 914       6 584 704     
Equity                                                                          
Equity attributable to owners of parent                                         
Share capital and premium                           629 551         629 551     
Other reserves                                  (2 150 042)       (923 910)     
Retained earnings                                 3 200 071       2 966 385     
Total equity                                      1 679 580       2 672 026     
Non-current liabilities                           3 692 211       2 775 816     
Derivative financial instrument          11       2 334 899       1 363 206     
Provisions:                                                                     
- Close-down and restoration costs                  432 526         391 330     
- Post retirement medical benefits                  157 334         154 603     
Deferred income tax liabilities          10         767 452         866 677     
Current liabilities                               1 636 123       1 136 862     
Trade and other payables                            426 833         451 771     
Derivative financial instrument          11         877 403         321 348     
Borrowings                               12         102 871         192 015     
Current income tax liabilities                       66 790          56 862     
Related party payables                              162 226         114 866     
Total liabilities                                 5 328 334       3 912 678     
Total equity and liabilities                      7 007 914       6 584 704     
The notes on pages 11 to 23 are an integral part of these provisional           
condensed                                                                       
group results.                                                                  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                           
for the year ended 31 December 2009                                             
                                      Attributable to owners of the parent      
                                           Share       Share      Retained      
                                         Capital     premium      earnings      
R`000       R`000         R`000      
Balance at 1 January 2008                  48 337     581 214     2 398 853     
Total comprehensive income for the year         -           -       717 048     
Profit for the year                             -           -       719 539     
Other comprehensive income:                                                     
Revaluation of available-for-sale                                               
investments                                     -           -             -     
Currency translation differences                -           -             -     
Net gain on cash flow hedges                    -           -             -     
Hedge loss recycled to profit and loss          -           -             -     
Over hedged ineffectiveness                     -           -             -     
Actuarial loss on defined benefit plan          -           -       (2 491)     
Tax on other comprehensive income                                               
Items                                           -           -             -     
Dividends paid                                  -           -     (149 846)     
Unclaimed dividends                             -           -           330     
Balance at 31 December 2008                48 337     581 214     2 966 385     
Total comprehensive income/(loss)                                               
for the year                                    -           -       287 110     
Profit for the year                             -           -       283 837     
Other comprehensive income:                                                     
Revaluation of available-for-sale                                               
investments                                     -           -             -     
Currency translation differences                -           -             -     
Net loss on cash flow hedges                    -           -             -     
Hedge loss recycled to profit and loss          -           -             -     
Over hedged ineffectiveness                     -           -             -     
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plan          -           -         4 546     
Tax on other comprehensive income                                               
Items                                           -           -       (1 273)     
Dividends paid                                  -           -     (119 394)     
Unclaimed dividends                             -           -         1 335     
Transfer of deferred tax on items included                                      
in other reserves                               -           -        64 635     
Balance at 31 December 2009                48 337     581 214     3 200 071     
                                                     Other                      
Reserves           Total      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
Balance at 1 January 2008                       (2 179 307)         849 097     
Total comprehensive income for the year           1 255 397       1 972 445     
Profit for the year                                       -         719 539     
Other comprehensive income:                                                     
Revaluation of available-for-sale                                               
investments                                        (11 811)        (11 811)     
Currency translation differences                     14 919          14 919     
Net gain on cash flow hedges                        276 040         276 040     
Hedge loss recycled to profit and loss            1 578 433       1 578 433     
Over hedged ineffectiveness                          86 741          86 741     
Actuarial loss on defined benefit plan                    -         (2 491)     
Tax on other comprehensive income                                               
Items                                             (688 925)       (688 925)     
Dividends paid                                            -       (149 846)     
Unclaimed dividends                                       -             330     
Balance at 31 December 2008                       (923 910)       2 672 026     
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year  (1 160 249)       (873 139)     
Profit for the year                                       -         283 837     
Other comprehensive income:                                                     
Revaluation of available-for-sale                                               
investments                                          16 348          16 348     
Currency translation differences                   (35 749)        (35 749)     
Net loss on cash flow hedges                    (2 100 197)     (2 100 197)     
Hedge loss recycled to profit and loss              546 677         546 677     
Over hedged ineffectiveness                           2 840           2 840     
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plan                    -           4 546     
Tax on other comprehensive income                                               
Items                                               409 832         408 559     
Dividends paid                                            -       (119 394)     
Unclaimed dividends                                 (1 248)              87     
Transfer of deferred tax of items included                                      
in other reserves                                  (64 635)               -     
Balance at 31 December 2009                     (2 150 042)       1 679 580     
The notes on pages 11 to 23 are an integral part of these provisional           
condensed                                                                       
group results.                                                                  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS                                  
for the year ended 31 December 2009                                             
Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                      Note           R`000           R`000      
Cash flows from operating activities                936 527         404 091     
Cash generated from operating                                                   
activities                                        1 072 899         868 484     
Pension fund surplus received                       241 293               -     
Interest paid                                      (35 288)        (31 791)     
Interest received                                    29 738          91 180     
Dividends paid                           14       (119 394)       (149 846)     
Income tax paid                                   (252 721)       (373 936)     
Cash flows from investing activities              (111 093)       (295 418)     
Acquisition of property, plant and                                              
equipment                                 9       (131 532)       (308 262)     
Acquisition of intangible assets                    (2 286)         (4 656)     
Proceeds on disposal of property,                                               
plant and equipment                                     258           1 256     
Invested in available-for-sale                                                  
financial assets                                   (30 048)        (10 467)     
Interest received                                    27 137          23 802     
Dividends received                                   25 378           2 909     
Cash flows from financing activities               (79 947)       (283 479)     
Borrowings repaid                                  (79 947)       (283 479)     
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and                                           
cash equivalents                                    745 487       (174 806)     
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year      747 014         841 110     
Effects of exchange rate changes on                                             
the balance of cash held in foreign currencies     (97 511)          80 710     
Cash and cash equivalents at end of                                             
year                                     12       1 394 990         747 014     
The notes on pages 11 to 23 are an integral part of these provisional           
condensed                                                                       
group results.                                                                  
CORPORATE INFORMATION                                                           
Palabora extracts and beneficiates copper, magnetite and vermiculite from its   
mines in the Limpopo Province. It is the primary aim of the Company, a member   
of the worldwide Rio Tinto Group, to achieve excellence in all aspects of its   
activities and to develop the Company`s resources and assets in a socially and  
environmentally responsible way for the maximum benefit of its shareholders,    
employees, customers and the community in which it operates. It is the          
Company`s firm belief that efficient and profitable operations go hand-in-hand  
with high quality products and comprehensive and effective safety, health and   
environmental protection programmes.                                            
The provisional condensed consolidated financial statements of Palabora for     
the                                                                             
year ended 31 December 2009 were authorised for issue in accordance with a      
resolution of the Board of Directors passed on 8 February 2010.                 
The Group is incorporated and domiciled in South Africa. The address of its     
registered office is 1 Copper Road, Phalaborwa, 1389. The company is a public   
limited company which is listed on the JSE Limited.                             
NOTES TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS                                                
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES                                 
Basis of preparation                                                            
The condensed consolidated provisional financial report for the year ended 31   
December 2009 has been prepared in compliance with the South African Companies  
Act, 61 of 1973, as amended,  the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited and  
International Accounting Standard 34 (Interim Reporting).   The condensed       
consolidated provisional financial report has been prepared in accordance with  
International Financial Reporting Standards.                                    
Audit review                                                                    
The provisional financial statements have been reviewed by the company`s        
auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. Their unmodified review opinion is        
available for inspection at the company`s registered office.                    
Significant accounting policies                                                 
The condensed consolidated financial report has been prepared in accordance     
with the historical cost convention except for certain financial instruments,   
which are stated at fair value, and is presented in Rand, which is Palabora`s   
functional and presentation currency.                                           
Except as disclosed below, the accounting policies and methods of computation   
and presentation applied in the preparation of the condensed consolidated       
provisional financial report are consistent with those applied in the most      
recent audited annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December       
2008.                                                                           
The following new standards and amendments to standards are mandatory for the   
first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 2009.                     
* IAS 1 (revised), `Presentation of financial statements`. The revised          
standard prohibits the presentation of items of income and expenses (that       
is `non-owner changes in equity`) in the statement of changes in equity,        
requiring `non-owner changes in equity` to be presented separately from         
owner changes in equity. All `non-owner changes in equity` are required to      
be shown in a performance statement.                                            
Entities can choose whether to present one performance statement (the           
statement                                                                       
of comprehensive income) or two statements (the income statement and statement  
of comprehensive income).                                                       
The group has elected to present two statements: an income statement and a      
statement of comprehensive income.                                              
* IFRS 8, `Operating segments`. IFRS 8 replaces IAS 14, `Segment reporting`.    
It requires a `management approach` under which segment information is          
presented on the same basis as that used for internal reporting purposes.       
This has resulted in an increase in the number of reportable segments           
presented, as the previously reported Copper by-products segment has been       
split                                                                           
into Joint-products: Magnetite, and By-products: Other segments. Magnetite has  
changed from a by-product to a joint-product due to the increase in sales       
value year on year. The costs for the mining and relevant concentrate           
processes were allocated on an equivalent revenue per unit basis. The           
comparatives were updated to reflect this change. Operating segments are        
reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the     
executive directors. The chief operating decision-maker has been identified as  
the executive directors, assisted by the general managers.                      
* IFRS 7 (amendment), `Amendments to IFRS 7 - Financial Instruments             
disclosures: Improving disclosures about financial instruments`. The improved   
disclosures will effectively be seen in the annual financial statements for     
the                                                                             
year ended 31 December 2009.                                                    
* Annual improvement project: 26 November 2009. Various changes to the          
different standards, will only impact on disclosures in the annual report of    
the financial year ended 31 December 2009.                                      
The following new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are    
mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 2009,   
but are not currently relevant for the group.                                   
* IAS 23 (amendment), `Borrowing costs - Revised`;                              
* IFRS 2 (amendment), `Amendment to IFRS 2 Share-based payment: Vesting         
conditions and cancellations`;                                                  
* IAS 32 and IAS 1 (amendment), `Amendment to IAS 32 Financial instruments:     
Presentation and IAS 1 Presentation of financial statements - Puttable          
Financial Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation`;                  
* IFRS 1 and IAS 27 (amendment), `Amendment to IFRS 1 First-time adoption of    
International Financial Reporting Standards and IAS 27 Consolidated and         
separate Financial Statements: Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly   
Controlled Entity or Associate`;                                                
* IFRIC 13, `Customer loyalty programmes`;                                      
* IFRIC 15, `Agreements for the construction of real estate`;                   
* IFRIC 16, `Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation`;                
* IFRS 3, Amendment, `Business combinations and consequential amendments`;      
* IFRIC 12, `Service concession arrangements.                                   
The Group has early adopted the Improvements to IFRS 8 - Operating Segments     
where a measure of segment assets is only required to be disclosed if the       
measure is regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker.            
Changes in estimates                                                            
Post retirement medical liability                                               
The cost of post employment medical benefits is determined using actuarial      
valuations. The actuarial valuation involves making assumptions about discount  
rates, mortality rates and income at retirement. Due to the long term nature    
of                                                                              
these plans, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty. The net     
employee liability at 31 December 2009 is valued at R157 million compared with  
R155 million at 31 December 2008. The main assumptions are summarised below:    
Valuation Date                     31 December 2009    31 December 2008         
Discount Rate                            9.50% p.a.           9.00% p.a.        
Health Care Cost Inflation               8.00% p.a.           7.50% p.a.        
CPI Inflation                            6.00% p.a.           5.50% p.a.        
Expected Retirement Age                          58                   58        
Membership Discontinued at                                                      
Retirement                                       0%                   0%        
The valuation resulted in an actuarial gain of R4.5 million before tax (2008:   
R2 million loss) being recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.     
Provision for Close-down and Restoration cost                                   
The provision for close-down and restoration costs was impacted by the          
following movements during the year ended 31 December 2009:                     
- A R1 million increase due to a revised present closure obligation;            
- An increase in the long-term inflation rate from 5.8% to 7.1% resulted in a   
R2 million increase in the provision; and                                       
- Finance charges (unwinding of discount) through the income statement          
resulted                                                                        
in an increase of R38 million in the provision.                                 
Presentation changes                                                            
Related parties                                                                 
Key management, as referred to in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, has been    
identified as the executive directors. Disclosures were updated to reflect      
this                                                                            
change.                                                                         
Income statement                                                                
Dividends received on the available-for-sale asset of R2 909 thousand, which    
was presented as part of "Finance income" in the previous year, was             
reclassified and reflected as part of "Other income" on the income statement    
in                                                                              
line with IAS 18 Revenue recognition. This resulted in a change in previous     
reported amounts on the face of the income statement as follows:                
                                               As reported     As reported      
currently      previously      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
For the year ended 31 December 2008                                             
Other income                                         83 844          80 935     
Profit before tax and net finance costs             838 104         835 195     
Finance cost - net                                  (8 024)         (5 115)     
Finance Income                                      118 260         121 169     
Statement of cash flow                                                          
The effects of the exchange rate changes on the balance of cash flow held in    
foreign currencies is now separately disclosed from the net increase /          
(decrease) in cash in cash equivalents as per IAS 7 Statement of cash flows     
requirement.                                                                    
This presentation change only effects the statement of cash flow, as follows:   
                                               31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
Cash flows from operating activities - as                                       
previously reported                                 839 016         484 801     
Effects of exchange rate change on the balance                                  
of cash held in foreign currencies                   97 511        (80 710)     
Cash flows from operating activities - restated     936 527         404 091     
Cash generated from operating activities - as                                   
previously reported                                 975 388         949 194     
Effects of exchange rate change on the balance                                  
of cash held in foreign currencies                   97 511        (80 710)     
Cash generated from operating activities -                                      
restated                                          1 072 899       (868 484)     
Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash                                       
equivalents - as previously reported                647 976        (94 096)     
Effects of exchange rate change on the balance                                  
of cash held in foreign currencies                   97 511        (80 710)     
Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash                                       
equivalents activities - restated                   745 487       (174 806)     
Property, plant and equipment note                                              
The asset categories disclosed in the property, plant and equipment note were   
changed from "Mine development and infrastructure" and "Land, mineral rights    
and rehabilitation assets" to the following categories listed below, as it is   
believed it improves the quality of the notes to the annual financial           
statement:                                                                      
* Land and buildings;                                                           
* Plant and equipment;                                                          
* Capital works in progress; and                                                
* Decommissioning asset.                                                        
This disclosure change does not have any effect on the carrying value of        
property, plant and equipment. See note 9 for details.                          
2. EXPLORATION COST                                                             
                                                      Year            Year      
                                                     ended           ended      
31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
Exploration cost                                   (17 866)         (3 283)     
The exploration costs refer to expenditure incurred on the Lift II              
pre-feasibility drilling. The area known as Lift II is the copper               
mineralisation area below the current footprint. This area is very large and    
requires considerable diamond drilling to confirm its tonnage and grade. The    
Lift II area has the potential to add at least ten years to the life of mine.   
3. IMPAIRMENT LOSS                                                              
                                                      Year            Year      
                                                     ended           ended      
31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
Impairment loss                                     (8 830)               -     
A write off of unrecoverable costs accumulated up to date on the magnetite      
feasibility project relating specifically to the pipeline study, was            
recognised                                                                      
during the year.                                                                
4. OPERATING PROFIT                                                             
                                                  Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
R`000           R`000      
Operating profit is stated after charging:                                      
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment     (549 404)       (469 068)     
Amortisation on intangible assets                   (1 520)           (551)     
Employee benefit expense                          (788 056)       (704 510)     
5. NET FINANCE COST                                                             
                                                  Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
Finance cost                                      (189 743)       (126 284)     
Interest expense on borrowings                     (35 288)        (31 791)     
Unwinding of discount on close-down and                                         
restoration costs                                  (38 177)        (26 899)     
Net foreign exchange loss                         (116 278)        (67 594)     
Finance income                                       66 072         118 260     
Interest income on short-term bank deposits          29 736          45 361     
Interest income on pension surplus fund              22 547          23 802     
Interest income on available-for-sale financial                                 
asset                                                 4 590           3 279     
Interest income on accounts receivable balances           2             427     
Net foreign exchange gain                             9 197          42 942     
Other finance income                                      -           2 449     
Net finance cost                                  (123 671)         (8 024)     
6. INCOME TAX                                                                   
The effective tax rate increased from 13.3% at 31 December 2008 to 37.3% at 31  
December 2009.                                                                  
The major components of income tax expense in the consolidated income           
statement                                                                       
are:                                                                            
                                                  Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
Current income tax                                                              
South African                                                                   
- Mining tax: current period                      (243 435)       (284 847)     
- Mining tax: prior period                              355           4 267     
- Non-mining tax: current period                    (7 599)         (8 784)     
- Non-mining tax: prior period                            -         (2 040)     
Foreign                                                                         
- Current taxation                                 (11 970)        (19 657)     
Deferred income tax                                                             
Relating to origination and reversal of                                         
temporary differences:                                                          
- South African                                      93 413         200 456     
- Foreign                                             (277)              64     
Income tax expense reported in the income                                       
statement                                         (169 513)       (110 541)     
The tax (charge)/credit relating to components of other comprehensive income    
are as follows:                                                                 
                                            Tax (charge) /                      
Before tax             credit       After tax      
                                  R`000              R`000           R`000      
Year ended 31 December 2009                                                     
Available-for-sale                                                              
investments:                                                                    
- Valuation gain / (loss)                                                       
taken to equity                   16 348            (4 578)          11 770     
Exchange differences on                                                         
translation of                                                                  
foreign operations              (35 749)                  -        (35 749)     
Cash flow hedges             (1 550 680)            414 410     (1 136 270)     
Actuarial gain / (loss) on                                                      
defined benefit plans              4 546            (1 273)           3 273     
Other comprehensive income   (1 565 535)            408 559     (1 156 976)     
Current tax                                               -                     
Deferred tax                                        408 559                     
Income tax relating to                                                          
components of other                                                             
comprehensive income                                408 559                     
Year ended 31 December 2008                                                     
Available-for-sale                                                              
investments:                                                                    
- Valuation gain / (loss)                                                       
taken to equity                 (11 811)                  -        (11 811)     
Exchange differences on                                                         
translation of                                                                  
foreign operations                14 919                  -          14 919     
Cash flow hedges               1 941 214          (688 925)       1 252 289     
Actuarial gain / (loss) on                                                      
defined benefit plans            (2 491)                  -         (2 491)     
Other comprehensive income     1 941 831          (688 925)       1 252 906     
Current tax                                               -                     
Deferred tax                                      (688 925)                     
Income tax relating to                                                          
components of                                                                   
other comprehensive income                        (688 925)                     
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                           
                                                  Reviewed         Audited      
                                               31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
R`000           R`000      
Reconciliation of net profit for earnings per                                   
share                                                                           
Net profit attributable to equity holders from                                  
continuing operations                               283 837         719 539     
Net profit attributable to ordinary                                             
shareholders from basic and diluted                                             
earnings per share                                  283 837         719 539     
Reconciliation of weighted average number of                                    
ordinary shares                                                                 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for                                  
basic and diluted earnings per share                 48 337          48 337     
Earnings per share                                587 cents     1 489 cents     
8. RECONCILIATION OF HEADLINE EARNINGS                                          
                                         Taxation and                           
                  Profit before tax             lease     Profit after tax      
R`000     consideration                R`000      
                                                R`000                           
Year ended 31                                                                   
December 2009                                                                   
Net profit per                                                                  
income statement             453 350         (169 513)              283 837     
Profit on disposal                                                              
of property, plant                                                              
and equipment                  (256)                96                (160)     
Impairment loss                8 830           (3 302)                5 528     
Headline earnings            461 924         (172 719)              289 205     
Headline earnings                                                               
per share                                                         598 cents     
Year ended 31                                                                   
December 2008                                                                   
Net profit per                                                                  
income statement             830 080         (110 541)              719 539     
Loss on disposal                                                                
of property, plant                                                              
and equipment                  2 208             (294)                1 914     
Headline earnings            832 288         (110 835)              721 453     
Headline earnings                                                               
per share                                                       1 493 cents     
9. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT                                                
Capital      
                                    Land and       Plant and       work in      
                                   buildings       equipment      progress      
                                       R`000           R`000         R`000      
Carrying value - 1 January 2008       211 791       3 085 313       166 749     
Cost                                1 061 909       5 134 661       166 749     
Accumulated depreciation            (850 118)     (2 049 285)             -     
Additions                                 301         138 791       168 639     
Disposals                                 (2)         (3 462)             -     
Currency translation adjustment             -             530             -     
Depreciation                         (30 446)       (427 191)             -     
Reclassification                        2 241         147 525     (149 766)     
Carrying value - 31 December                                                    
2008                                  183 885       2 941 506       185 622     
Cost                                1 064 421       5 414 791       185 622     
Accumulated depreciation            (880 536)     (2 473 285)             -     
Additions                                 214          65 375        65 910     
Disposals                                 (1)               -             -     
Impairment loss                             -               -       (8 830)     
Currency translation adjustment             -              33             -     
Depreciation                         (29 106)       (509 898)             -     
Reclassification                        (643)          60 235      (69 598)     
Carrying value - 31 December 2009     154 349       2 557 251       173 104     
Cost                                1 063 990       5 550 440       181 934     
Accumulated depreciation and                                                    
impairment                          (909 641)     (2 993 189)       (8 830)     
                                                 Decommis-                      
                                                   sioning                      
asset           Total      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
                                                   112 628       3 576 481      
Carrying value - 1 January 2008                                                 
Cost                                                161 542       6 524 861     
Accumulated depreciation                           (48 914)     (2 948 380)     
Additions                                             1 557         309 288     
Disposals                                                 -         (3 464)     
Currency translation adjustment                           -             530     
Depreciation                                       (11 430)       (469 068)     
Reclassification                                          -               -     
Carrying value - 31 December                                                    
2008                                                102 754       3 413 767     
Cost                                                163 099       6 827 933     
Accumulated depreciation                           (60 345)     (3 414 166)     
Additions                                             3 019         134 518     
Disposals                                                 -             (1)     
Impairment loss                                           -         (8 830)     
Currency translation adjustment                           -              33     
Depreciation                                       (10 400)       (549 404)     
Reclassification                                     10 005               -     
Carrying value - 31 December 2009                   105 379       2 990 083     
Cost                                                166 118       6 962 482     
Accumulated depreciation                           (60 739)     (3 972 399)     
10. DEFERRED TAX                                                                
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally          
enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities  
and when the deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority.         
Deferred income taxes are calculated at the tax rates prevailing in the         
different fiscal authorities where the asset or liability originates.           
Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that future taxable     
benefits are generated against which the deferred tax asset can be realised.    
At                                                                              
31 December 2009 the company had no unredeemed capital expenditure (2008:       
nil).                                                                           
The gross movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:            
Reviewed         Audited     
                                               31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
At 1 January                                      (371 786)         116 619     
Tax charged to equity                               408 560       (688 925)     
Income statement charge                              93 136         200 520     
Net deferred tax asset/ (liability)                 129 910       (371 786)     
Deferred taxation relating to temporary                                         
differences is made up as follows:                                              
Assets                                                                          
Provisions                                           77 625          86 387     
Derivative financial instrument                     896 740         482 330     
STC credits                                             622          12 561     
Other                                                     -          10 768     
                                                   974 987         592 046      
Liabilities                                                                     
Property, plant and equipment                     (841 674)     (1 071 245)     
Change in tax legislation                                 -         107 413     
Other                                               (3 403)               -     
(845 077)       (963 832)      
Net deferred tax asset/ (liability)                 129 910       (371 786)     
Included in the balance sheet as follows:                                       
Deferred tax asset                                  897 362         494 891     
Deferred tax liability                            (767 452)       (866 677)     
Net deferred tax asset/ (liability)                 129 910       (371 786)     
11. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES                                                 
Derivative Financial Instrument - Cash flow hedge                               
At 31 December 2009, the Group held a commodity swap contract designated as a   
hedge of expected future sales under which the Group receives a fixed price in  
Rand in relation to a monthly notional quantity of copper sales as detailed     
below and pays a floating price based on the arithmetic average (mean) of the   
US$ LME Cash Settlement Price. The net receipt/payment is converted to Rand at  
the average Rand/US$ exchange rate for the calculation period. The cash flows   
paid under the terms of the hedging instrument are designed to reduce           
variability in the Rand proceeds of the copper sales as set out in the table    
below.                                                                          
A hedge is considered to be highly effective if the results of the              
retrospective and prospective effectiveness tests are within the range of 80%   
-                                                                               
125%. Even if the effectiveness calculation falls within the 80% - 125% range,  
an ineffectiveness portion may arise if the change in the hedging instrument    
exceeds the change in the hedged item (over-hedge). The ineffective portion of  
the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is recognised directly   
in the income statement. As at 31 December 2009 the cashflow hedges of the      
expected future sales were assessed to be highly effective and R2 million       
over-hedged ineffectiveness was recognised in the income statement.             
The combined hedged book amounts to 81 480 tonnes of copper for a total amount  
of R3 212 million as at 31 December 2009 spread over 3.75 years.                
The terms of the contracts are as follows:                                      
Table of terms: 2009                   Average                                  
                                       hedged        Hedged     Derivative      
Quantity       price         value      liability      
Maturity Year                  (t)       ZAR/t         R`000          R`000     
2010                        22 188      15 739       349 219        862 803     
2011                        21 825      15 739       343 500        867 077     
2012                        21 137      15 739       332 668        832 824     
2013                        16 330      15 739       256 998        627 851     
                           81 480                 1 282 385      3 190 555      
Unamortised component of non-observable                                         
inception gain                                                       21 747     
Total of derivative financial instrument                          3 212 302     
Comprising of:                                                                  
Non-current portion                                                             
Derivative financial instrument                                   2 327 752     
Unamortised component of non-observable                                         
inception gain                                                        7 147     
Total non-current portion                                         2 334 899     
Current portion                                                                 
Derivative financial instrument                                     862 802     
Unamortised component of non-observable                                         
inception gain                                                       14 601     
Total current portion                                               877 403     
Total of derivative financial instrument                          3 212 302     
Table of terms: 2008                   Average                                  
                                       hedged        Hedged     Derivative      
Quantity       price         value      liability      
Maturity Year                  (t)       ZAR/t         R`000          R`000     
2009                        22 265      15 739       350 427        310 964     
2010                        22 188      15 739       349 219        336 128     
2011                        21 825      15 739       343 500        350 372     
2012                        21 137      15 739       332 668        355 761     
2013                        16 330      15 739       256 998        283 808     
                          103 745                 1 632 812      1 637 033      
Unamortised component of non-observable                                         
inception gain                                                       47 521     
Total of derivative financial instrument                          1 684 554     
Comprising of:                                                                  
Non-current portion                                                             
Derivative financial instrument                                   1 326 070     
Unamortised component of non-observable                                         
inception gain                                                       37 136     
Total non-current portion                                         1 363 206     
Current portion                                                                 
Derivative financial instrument                                     310 963     
Unamortised component of non-observable                                         
inception gain                                                       10 385     
Total current portion                                               321 348     
Total of derivative financial instrument                          1 684 554     
12. NET CASH                                                                    
Effective                       Reviewed       Audited      
              interest rate %       Maturity            2009          2008      
                                                       R`000         R`000      
Current                                                                         
Senior Term        Libor+2.0%/                                                  
Facility           Jibar+2.35%     30.06.2009               -        74 351     
Revolving          Libor+2.0%/          Semi-                                   
credit             Jibar+2.35%       annually         102 871       117 664     
facility                                                                        
Total                                                                           
borrowings                                            102 871       192 015     
Cash and cash                                                                   
equivalents                                       (1 394 990)     (747 014)     
Net cash                                          (1 292 119)     (554 999)     
Net cash consist of borrowings and cash and cash equivalents. It is calculated  
consistently year on year.                                                      
Approximately 54% of the group`s existing borrowings is denominated in US$ for  
a total amount of US$7.5 million. The terms of repayments are consistent with   
the information disclosed in the December 2008 annual financial statements.     
Senior term facility agreement                                                  
Total principal repayments of R80 million were made on the senior term          
facility                                                                        
during the year. This was for the final and complete settlement of the senior   
term facility balance.                                                          
Loan covenants                                                                  
No defaults were declared.                                                      
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS                                                  
                                                  Reviewed         Audited      
31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
The following transactions were carried out                                     
with related parties:                                                           
Recovery of travel and staff costs                        7           3 695     
Purchases of goods and services                     492 810         170 124     
Key management compensation (executive                                          
directors)                                           10 976           7 250     
Management fee (Rio Tinto London)                    29 076          26 777     
The increase in purchased goods and services is due to the increased use of     
Rio                                                                             
Tinto Shipping to accommodate the increased magnetite tonnages shipped.         
14. DIVIDENDS PAID                                                              
The following dividends were paid during the year:                              
                                                  Reviewed         Audited      
31 December     31 December      
                                                      2009            2008      
                                                     R`000           R`000      
Previous year final dividend:                                                   
82 cents per qualifying ordinary share (2008:                                   
310 cents)                                           39 637         149 846     
Interim dividend:                                                               
165 cents per qualifying ordinary share              79 757               -     
Dividends paid                                      119 394         149 846     
15. SEGMENT REPORTING                                                           
For management purposes, the Group is organised into operating segments based   
on the nature of the products and services provided, and has four reportable    
operating segments as follows:                                                  
* Copper - produces and markets refined copper.                                 
* Joint-product: Magnetite - markets processed current arisings and built-up    
stockpiles of magnetite, a joint-product from the copper mining process.        
* By-products: Other - includes anode slimes, sulphuric acid and nickel         
sulphate.                                                                       
* Industrial Minerals - produces and markets vermiculite.                       
Management monitors the operating results of its operating segments separately  
for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance   
assessment. Segment performance is evaluated based on operating profit or loss  
which in certain respects, as explained in the table below, is measured         
differently from operating profit or loss in the consolidated financial         
statements. Group financing (including finance costs and finance income) and    
income taxes are managed on a group basis and are not allocated to operating    
segments.                                                                       
Transfer prices between operating segments are set on an arm`s length basis in  
a manner similar to transactions with third parties.                            
Year ended 31 December 2009                     Industrial     Joint-products:  
                                    Copper       Minerals        Magnetite      
                                     R`000          R`000            R`000      
Revenue                                                                         
Sales to external customers       3 713 218        427 902        1 512 965     
Hedge loss relised           (546 677)                                          
Segment Revenue                   3 166 541        427 902        1 512 965     
Results                                                                         
Segment results                     300 938         40 954           90 480     
Unallocated profit before net                                                   
finance cost and tax                                                            
Profit from operations before tax                                               
and finance costs                                                               
Net finance costs                                                               
Profit before income tax                                                        
Income tax expense                                                              
Profit for the year                                                             
Year ended 31 December 2009                      By-products:                   
                                                       Other         Total      
R`000         R`000      
Revenue                                                                         
Sales to external customers                           176 467     5 830 552     
Hedge loss reaised                                     (546 677)                
Segment Revenue                                       176 467     5 283 875     
Results                                                                         
Segment results                                       128 535       560 907     
Unallocated profit before net finance                                           
cost and tax                                                         16 114     
Profit from operations before tax                                               
and finance costs                                                   577 021     
Net finance costs                                                 (123 671)     
Profit before income tax                                            453 350     
Income tax expense                                                (169 513)     
Profit for the year                                                 283 837     
Year ended 31 December 2008                     Industrial     Joint-products:  
Copper       Minerals        Magnetite      
                                     R`000          R`000            R`000      
Revenue                                                                         
Sales to external customers       4 744 324        411 484          789 580     
Hedge loss realised        (1 578 433)                                          
Segment Revenue                   3 165 891        411 484          789 580     
Results                                                                         
Segment results                     450 372         56 559          141 306     
Unallocated profit before net                                                   
finance cost and tax                                                            
Profit from operations before tax                                               
and finance costs                                                               
Net finance costs                                                               
Profit before income tax                                                        
Income tax expense                                                              
Profit for the year                                                             
Year ended 31 December 2008                      By-products:                   
                                                       Other         Total      
                                                       R`000         R`000      
Revenue                                                                         
Sales to external customers                           237 625     6 183 013     
Hedge loss realised                                   (1 578 433)               
Segment Revenue                                       237 625     4 604 580     
Results                                                                         
Segment results                                       189 505       837 742     
Unallocated profit before net                                                   
finance cost and tax                                                    362     
Profit from operations before tax                                               
and finance costs                                                   838 104     
Net finance costs                                                   (8 024)     
Profit before income tax                                            830 080     
Income tax expense                                                (110 541)     
Profit for the year                                                 719 539     
16. COMMITMENTS                                                                 
Commitments contracted for at balance sheet date were R93 million               
(2008: R86 million). Capital expenditure that was approved by the board,        
but not contracted for at 31 December 2009 amounts to R135 million              
(2008: R179 million).                                                           
17. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES                                                      
Various legal matters, including labour cases before the CCMA, are in           
progress.                                                                       
The potential exposure is approximately R34 million.                            
18. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS                                                   
Dividend declaration                                                            
The board resolved to declare a dividend of R6.20 per share at a meeting held   
on 4 February 2010. This financial report does not reflect this dividend        
payable, which will be recognised in shareholders` equity as an appropriation   
of retained earnings in the year ending 31 December 2010.                       
19. GROUP SELECTED STATISTICS                                                   
There have been no material changes to the information disclosed in the annual  
report in compliance with paragraph 8.63(m) for the year ended 31 December      
2008.                                                                           
2009          2008         
Revenue                                                                         
Copper (including hedge)     R` million                 3 167         3 166     
Copper by-products           R` million                   176           237     
Industrial Minerals          R` million                   427           411     
Magnetite                    R` million                 1 513           790     
Net profit before tax        R` million                   453           830     
Copper                                                                          
Ore hoisted                  millions of tonnes         11.54         11.76     
Average copper grade         % Cu                       0.611         0.601     
Copper in concentrates                                                          
produced                     `000 of tonnes              76.9          84.6     
Cathode produced             `000 of tonnes              69.4          75.9     
Average copper                                                                  
price realised               USc/lb                     230.8         316.6     
LME Copper Price             USc/lb                     233.6         315.5     
Average sales rand/dollar                                                       
exchange rate realised       R/USD$                      8.33          8.26     
Spot rand/dollar exchange                                                       
rate                         R/USD$                      7.40          9.37     
Average copper price                                                            
realised (pre-hedge)         R/tonne                   47 373        57 675     
Average copper price                                                            
realised (post-hedge)        R/tonne                   44 249        40 433     
Net cash cost                R/tonne                   16 855        18 198     
Copper Rod                                                                      
Unit selling price                                                              
pre hedge                    USc/lb                     232.0         337.5     
Unit selling price                                                              
post hedge                   USc/lb                     197.7         222.0     
Sales                        tonnes                    48 445        51 954     
Cathode                                                                         
Unit selling price                                                              
pre hedge (local)            USc/lb                     222.5         319.5     
Unit selling price                                                              
post hedge (local)           USc/lb                     189.6         211.1     
Sales (local)                tonnes                    23 202        15 989     
Unit selling price                                                              
pre hedge (export)           USc/lb                     257.0         169.0     
Unit selling price                                                              
post hedge (export)          USc/lb                     219.5         111.3     
Sales (export)               tonnes                     5 026         7 651     
Vermiculite                                                                     
Vermiculite sold             tonnes                   183 264       188 825     
Average vermiculite prices                                                      
realised                     R/tonne                    2 352         2 094     
Operational cash cost        R/tonne                    782.1         596.4     
Production                    `000 of tonnes        2 845       1 951           
Magnetite                                                                       
Magnetite sold               tonnes                 2 568 564     1 898 859     
Average magnetite prices                                                        
realised                     R/tonne                      589           416     
Production                    `000 of tonnes          196        199            
Anode slimes                                                                    
Anode slimes sold            tonnes                        89           105     
Average anode slimes prices                                                     
realised                     R/tonne                1 570 331     1 412 871     
Nickel sulphate                                                                 
Nickel sulphate sold         tonnes                       370           173     
Average nickel sulphate                                                         
prices realised              R/tonne                   24 381        45 503     
Sulphuric acid                                                                  
Sulphuric acid sold          tonnes                    85 464       109 178     
Average sulphuric acid                                                          
prices realised              R/tonne                      326           747     
Imported concentrate                                                            
Volumes                      Tonnes copper             11 168        13 562     
Cost                         R` million                   469           708     
R/tonne of                                          
Unit purchased price         copper                    42 035        52 220     
Marginal ore concentrate                                                        
Volumes                      Tonnes copper              3 632         1 834     
Cost                         R` million                   112            68     
                            R/tonne of                                          
Unit purchased price         copper                    30 842        37 271     
Cash flow                                                                       
Cash from operating                                                             
activities                   R` million                   937           404     
Cash in bank                 R` million                 1 395           747     
Costs                                                                           
Production cost (excluding                                                      
concentrate purchases)       R` million                 2 181         2 091     
Cost of sales                R` million                 3 106         2 761     
Capital expenditure and                                                         
commitments                                                                     
Capital expenditure          R` million                   134           313     
Approved expenditure         R` million                   135           179     
Contracts placed             R` million                    93            86     
Investments                                                                     
Fair value of unlisted                                                          
investments                  R` million                   360           314     
Share capital                                                                   
Authorised ordinary shares                                                      
of R1 each                   R`000                    100 000       100 000     
Issued ordinary shares                                                          
of R1 each                   R`000                     48 337        48 337     
Net asset value per share    R/share                    34.75         55.28     
Employees                                                                       
Number of employees                                     2 021         2 191     
Date: 08/02/2010 16:00:49 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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