ASR - Assore Limited - Final results for the year ended 30 June 20102 Sep 2010
ASR
ASR                                                                             
ASR - Assore Limited - Final results for the year ended 30 June 2010            
Assore Limited                                                                  
Company Registration Number: 1950/037394/06                                     
Share code: ASR                                                                 
ISIN: ZAE000017117                                                              
("Assore" or "Group" or "Company")                                              
FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2010                                   
Headline earnings decrease by 54% to R1,49 billion                              
Recovery of Group`s commodity markets in second half                            
Higher sales volumes for all products                                           
Increased final dividend                                                        
26% empowered shareholding                                                      
COMMENTARY                                                                      
Headline earnings for the financial year to 30 June 2010 have declined by 54,2% 
to R1,494 billion due to the decline in the earnings of Assmang Limited         
(Assmang), and the reduced commissions earned on the significantly lower sales  
of Group products, compared to the previous financial year. The remaining       
effects of the global recession that set in during the last calendar quarter of 
2008, impacted negatively on earnings in the first half of the financial year,  
which amounted to R338 million. Earnings for the second half of R1,142 billion  
were significantly higher than those of the first half due to increased sales   
prices of the Group`s products, and in particular, of iron ore. The demand for  
all Group commodities was also much improved, due to the continued strong demand
from the East. The strength of the Rand, which prevailed across most of the     
financial year, further impacted earnings negatively.                           
As a result of the trading conditions described above, Assmang`s headline       
earnings declined by 56,7% to R2,729 billion compared to the previous year.     
Assore holds a 50% interest in Assmang, which is proportionately consolidated in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).             
On 2 December 2009 shareholders were advised of the Company`s intention to enter
into its second empowerment transaction, which was approved by shareholders in a
meeting convened for this purpose on 19 January 2010. As a result, 26,07% of    
Assore`s shares will be controlled by Historically Disadvantaged South Africans,
as required by the Mining Charter.                                              
On 20 August 2010, shareholders were advised of a proposed sub-division of      
ordinary shares, on a 5 for 1 basis. A general meeting has been scheduled for 10
September 2010 in order to approve the transaction (refer Event After the       
Reporting Period).                                                              
SALES VOLUMES                                                                   
Sales volumes for all products were higher in the current year, however, the    
prices realised in 2010 were lower due mainly to the strong Rand, which         
prevailed over most of the year. This resulted in Assmang`s turnover for the    
year under review declining to R12,9 billion (2009: R15,3 billion). The         
following table sets out the sales volumes of Assmang`s commodities for the year
under review:                                                                   
                  2010           2009          %                                
                  M tons `000    M tons `000    increase                        
Iron ore           9 799          7 409         32                              
Manganese ore*     3 095          2 152         44                              
Manganese alloys*  238            117           103                             
Charge chrome      189            144           31                              
Chrome ore*        272            256           6                               
* Excluding intra-group sales                                                   
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE                                                             
The bulk of the Group`s capital expenditure occurs in Assmang, and amounted to  
R3,3 billion (2009: R2,8 billion). The major capital expenditure for the year   
occurred in the iron ore and manganese divisions of Assmang. A total of R2,085  
billion was spent on the ongoing infrastructural development at the Khumani Iron
Ore Mine, which will result in the mine capacity increasing to 16 million sales 
tons per annum from 1 July 2012. R258 million was spent on rebuilding manganese 
and chrome furnaces, with a further R46 million spent on the conversion of a    
chrome furnace to a manganese furnace at the Machadodorp Works. Apart from the  
expenditure in Assmang, R42 million has been spent on further developing two    
underground shafts at the Rustenburg Chrome Ore Mine, which is 44% held by a    
black economic empowerment partner for the benefit of historically disadvantaged
groups in the area surrounding the mining operations. One of these shafts has   
recently been commissioned, and full production is expected towards the end of  
the 2011 calendar year.                                                         
OUTLOOK                                                                         
Markets have recovered from the lows experienced towards the end of 2008 and    
into 2009. The extent of this recovery has been muted, however, due mainly to   
the recent pullback in Chinese economic growth and the European debt crisis,    
placing a degree of pressure on commodity prices in general. Ore and alloy      
prices for manganese and chrome have recently come under pressure, but iron ore 
prices remain robust. The pricing convention in the iron ore industry has       
undergone a structural change with effect from 1 April 2010, where prices are   
negotiated on a quarterly or spot basis, superseding the previous negotiations, 
which occurred annually between miners and customers. The new basis is now in   
line with the pricing convention operating in the manganese ore market. These   
circumstances, in combination with the Group`s exposure to fluctuations in      
exchange rates, make it difficult to estimate developments on Group earnings    
with reasonable assurance or accuracy.                                          
DIVIDENDS                                                                       
The results in this announcement include the interim dividend of 500 cents      
(2009: 1 000 cents) per share which was declared on 16 February 2010 and paid to
shareholders on 29 March 2010.                                                  
In line with the results for the year the Board has declared a final dividend of
1 200 cents per share making a total dividend for the year of 1 700 cents (2009:
2 000 cents) per share. The final dividend will be paid to shareholders on or   
about 27 September 2010 and in accordance with IFRS, is not included in the     
results as it was declared after year-end.                                      
REVIEW BY AUDITORS                                                              
Ernst & Young Inc, the Group`s auditors, has reviewed the financial results     
included in this announcement in accordance with ISRE 2410 - Review of Interim  
Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity. Their 
unmodified report is available for inspection at the registered office of the   
Company.                                                                        
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION                                    
The financial results for the year under review have been prepared on the       
historical cost basis, except for financial instruments that are fairly valued  
and in accordance with IAS 34 - Interim Reporting, issued by the International  
Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The accounting policies applied are          
consistent with those adopted in the financial year ended 30 June 2009, with the
exception of the adoption of the following policies in response to changes in   
IFRS:                                                                           
- IAS 1 (Amendment) - Presentation of Financial Statements; and                 
- IFRS 8 - Operating Segments.                                                  
The adoption of these changes to IFRS has had no effect on the financial        
statements of the Group except for the disclosure of additional information. In 
addition, further minor amendments to IFRS and interpretations as issued by the 
IASB, have also been considered and adopted by the Group. These amendments and  
interpretations have not had any effect on the financial results for the year or
any requirement for additional disclosure.                                      
EVENT AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD                                                
On 20 August 2010, shareholders were advised of a proposed sub-division of      
ordinary shares, on a 5 for 1 basis, for which a general meeting has been       
scheduled for 10 September 2010 in order to approve the transaction. Should the 
sub-division be approved, the comparative figures for future financial results  
of all earnings per share information will be divided by a factor of 5. The     
results for the financial year presented were not affected by the proposed sub- 
division.                                                                       
DECLARATION OF FINAL DIVIDEND                                                   
Final dividend No. 107 of 1 200 cents per share was declared on 1 September     
2010, in the currency of the Republic of South Africa.                          
In accordance with Strate, the following dates apply to the dividend declared:  
The last date to trade to qualify for the dividend (and for changes of address  
or dividend instructions) will be Thursday, 16 September 2010.                  
The Company`s ordinary shares will commence trading "ex dividend" from the      
commencement of business on Friday, 17 September 2010.                          
The record date will be Thursday, 23 September 2010.                            
Dividend cheques in payment of this dividend to holders of certificated shares  
will be posted on or about Monday, 27 September 2010. Electronic payment to     
holders of certificated shares will be undertaken simultaneously.               
Holders of dematerialised shares will have their accounts at their Central      
Securities Depository Participant or broker credited on Monday, 27 September    
2010.                                                                           
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Friday,  
17 September 2010 and Thursday, 23 September 2010, both days inclusive.         
On behalf of the Board                                                          
Desmond Sacco          CJ Cory                                                  
Chairman               Chief Executive Officer                                  
Johannesburg                                                                    
2 September 2010                                                                
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT                                                   
                            Year ended      Year ended                          
                            30 June         30 June                             
                            2010            2009                                
Reviewed        Audited                             
                            R`000           R`000                               
Revenue                       7 565 582       9 527 669                         
Turnover                     7 085 669        8 818 655                         
Cost of sales                (4 787 703)      (3 983 720)                       
Gross profit                 2 297 966        4 834 935                         
Profit on disposal of        -                19 086                            
available-for-sale                                                              
investments                                                                     
Other income                 623 818          1 410 828                         
Other expenses                (463 691)       (717 821)                         
Finance costs                 (123 633)       (298 148)                         
Profit before taxation and   2 334 460        5 248 880                         
State`s share of profits                                                        
Taxation and State`s share    (822 963)       (1 981 493)                       
of profits                                                                      
Profit for the year          1 511 497        3 267 387                         
Attributable to:                                                                
Shareholders of the holding   1 479 524       3 241 452                         
company                                                                         
Non-controlling interests    31 973           25 935                            
As above                     1 511 497        3 267 387                         
Earnings as above            1 479 524        3 241 452                         
Profit on disposal (net of                                                      
tax) of :                                                                       
- Available-for-sale         -                (16 414)                          
investments                                                                     
- Property, plant and         (1 983)         (18 359)                          
equipment                                                                       
Impairment of non-financial   16 664          59 114                            
assets                                                                          
Headline earnings            1 494 205        3 265 793                         
Earnings per share (basic    6 181            13 669                            
and diluted - cents)                                                            
Headline earnings per share  6 241            13 772                            
(basic and diluted - cents)                                                     
Dividends per share declared  1 700           2 000                             
in respect of the profit for                                                    
the year (cents)                                                                
-  Interim                   500              1 000                             
-  Final                     1 200            1 000                             
Weighted average number of                                                      
ordinary shares (million)                                                       
Ordinary shares in issue      27,69           27,66                             
Weighted impact of treasury                                                     
shares                                                                          
-  Held by Group companies    (2,45)          (3,03)                            
-  Held by Bokamoso Trust     (1,30)          (0,91)                            
23,94           23,74                               
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                  
                            Year ended      Year ended                          
                            30 June         30 June                             
2010            2009                                
                            Reviewed        Audited                             
                            R`000           R`000                               
Profit for the year (as       1 511 497       3 267 387                         
above)                                                                          
Other comprehensive           143 705         (237 400)                         
income/(loss) for the year,                                                     
net of tax                                                                      
Net gain/(loss) on            167 095         (270 143)                         
revaluation of available-for-                                                   
sale investments to market                                                      
value                                                                           

Profit on disposal of        -                (19 086)                          
available-for-sale                                                              
investments recognised in                                                       
profit for the year                                                             
Deferred capital gains        (23 393)        40 492                            
taxation                                                                        
                             143 702         (248 737)                          
Exchange differences on       3               11 337                            
translation of foreign                                                          
operations                                                                      
Total comprehensive income    1 655 202       3 029 987                         
for the year, net of tax                                                        
Attributable to:                                                                
Shareholders of the holding   1 623 229       3 004 052                         
company                                                                         
Non-controlling interests    31 973           25 935                            
As above                      1 655 202       3 029 987                         
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                                    
                            At              At                                  
30 June         30 June                             
                            2010            2009                                
                            Reviewed        Audited                             
                            R`000           R`000                               
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                              
Property, plant and                                                             
equipment, investment                                                           
properties and intangible     6 409 473       5 183 450                         
assets                                                                          
Investments - available-for-  602 851         415 066                           
sale investments                                                                
- other                       73 266          42 259                            
Other non-current financial   31 906         -                                  
assets                                                                          
Total non-current assets      7 117 496       5 640 775                         
Current assets                                                                  
Inventories                   1 771 977       1 804 010                         
Trade and other receivables   1 481 046       593 087                           
Cash resources               1 907 909        3 049 067                         
Total current assets         5 160 932        5 446 164                         
TOTAL ASSETS                  12 278 428      11 086 939                        
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Share capital and reserves                                                      
Ordinary shareholders`        7 867 444       6 603 229                         
interest                                                                        
Non-controlling interests     102 035         71 819                            
Total equity                 7 969 479        6 675 048                         
Non-current liabilities                                                         
Net deferred taxation         1 713 730       1 341 836                         
liabilities                                                                     
Long-term liabilities         219 067         257 513                           
Total non-current            1 932 797        1 599 349                         
liabilities                                                                     
Current liabilities                                                             
Interest-bearing              1 031 644       1 623 843                         
Non-interest-bearing          1 344 508       1 188 699                         
Total current liabilities     2 376 152       2 812 542                         
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 12 278 428       11 086 939                        
Net asset value per share    333,0            278,9                             
(Rand)                                                                          
Capital expenditure (R       1 749,3          1 476,0                           
million)                                                                        
Capital commitments (R       3 013,5          3 656,9                           
million)                                                                        
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT                                                
                            Year ended      Year ended                          
                            30 June         30 June                             
2010            2009                                
                            Reviewed        Audited                             
                            R`000           R`000                               
Cash generated from           1 329 208       3 670 885                         
operations                                                                      
Cash utilised in investing    (1 797 439)     (1 620 690)                       
activities                                                                      
Cash utilised by financing    (672 927)       (990 085)                         
activities                                                                      
(Decrease)/increase in cash   (1 141 158)     1 060 110                         
for the year                                                                    
Cash resources at beginning   3 049 067       1 988 957                         
of year                                                                         
CASH RESOURCES PER STATEMENT  1 907 909       3 049 067                         
OF FINANCIAL POSITION                                                           
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                     
Year ended      Year ended                          
                            30 June         30 June                             
                            2010            2009                                
                            Reviewed        Audited                             
R`000           R`000                               
Share capital, share premium                                                    
and other reserves                                                              
Balance at beginning of year 151 762          389 173                           
Shares issued                233 743         -                                  
Par value of shares          -                (11)                              
repurchased and cancelled                                                       
Other comprehensive           143 705         (237 400)                         
income/(loss)                                                                   
Balance at end of year       529 210          151 762                           
Treasury shares                                                                 
Balance at beginning of year  (2 125 285)     (2 341 725)                       
Treasury shares              (233 743)        (26 465)                          
issued/repurchased during                                                       
the year                                                                        
Warehouse transaction costs  -                (5 038)                           
Cancellation of treasury                                                        
shares repurchased during                                                       
the year                                                                        
- Value of shares cancelled, -                248 718                           
excluding par value                                                             
- Costs of shares cancelled  -                (775)                             
Balance at end of year        (2 359 028)     (2 125 285)                       
Retained earnings                                                               
Balance at beginning of year  8 576 752       6 063 424                         
Comprehensive income -        1 479 524       3 241 452                         
profit                                                                          
Treasury shares repurchased  -                (248 718)                         
and cancelled during the                                                        
year                                                                            
Ordinary dividends declared                                                     
Numbers 105 and 106           (359 014)       (479 406)                         
aggregating R15,00 per share                                                    
(2009: R20,00 per share)                                                        
Balance at end of year       9 697 262        8 576 752                         
Ordinary shareholders`       7 867 444        6 603 229                         
equity                                                                          
Non-controlling interests                                                       
Balance at beginning of year  71 819          111 528                           
Total comprehensive income   31 973           25 935                            
Dividends paid to minorities (1 760)          (75 843)                          
Foreign currency translation 3               10 199                             
reserve arising on                                                              
consolidation                                                                   
Balance at end of year       102 035          71 819                            
Total equity                 7 969 479       6 675 048                          
SEGMENTAL INFORMATION                                                           
              Joint venture mining and beneficiation                            

R`000          Iron ore    Manganese   Chrome         Sub-total                 
Year ended 30                                                                   
June 2010 -                                                                     
Reviewed                                                                        
Revenues                                                                        
Third party     5 002 654   6 253 174   1 789 643      13 045 471               
Inter-segment  -           -           -              -                         
Total           5 002 654   6 253 174   1 789 643      13 045 471               
revenues                                                                        
Contribution    1 436 649   1 480 222   (184 650)      2 732 221                
to profit                                                                       
Contribution    1 435 759   1 477 505   (184 649)      2 728 615                
to headline                                                                     
earnings                                                                        
Segment         8 729 631   8 921 510   1 920 523      19 571 664               
assets                                                                          
Capital         2 304 067   743 498     288 751        3 336 316                
expenditure                                                                     
Year ended 30                                                                   
June 2009 -                                                                     
Audited                                                                         
Revenues                                                                        
Third party     5 026 714   8 897 515   1 812 333      15 736 562               
Inter-segment  -           -           -              -                         
Total           5 026 714   8 897 515   1 812 333      15 736 562               
revenues                                                                        
Contribution    2 170 428   3 955 584   193 146        6 319 158                
to profit                                                                       
Contribution    2 159 878   3 926 926   213 344        6 300 148                
to headline                                                                     
earnings                                                                        
Segment         6 504 050   8 348 952   2 038 210      16 891 212               
assets                                                                          
Capital         1 529 176   853 983     396 616        2 779 775                
expenditure                                                                     

                          Other                                                 
              Marketing   mining and  Eliminations                              
R`000          and         Benefi-     and            Consolidated              
shipping    cation      adjustments*                              
Year ended 30                                                                   
June 2010 -                                                                     
Reviewed                                                                        
Revenues                                                                        
Third party     642 336     189 986     (6 312 211)    7 565 582                
Inter-segment   422 223     2 240       (424 463)     -                         
Total           1 064 559   192 226     (6 736 674)    7 565 582                
revenues                                                                        
Contribution    163 318     (37 431)    (1 378 584)    1 479 524                
to profit                                                                       
Contribution    162 596     (20 225)    (1 376 781)    1 494 205                
to headline                                                                     
earnings                                                                        
Segment         5 623 226   5 245 084   (18 161 546)   12 278 428               
assets                                                                          
Capital         31 405      49 700      (1 668 159)    1 749 262                
expenditure                                                                     
Year ended 30                                                                   
June 2009 -                                                                     
Audited                                                                         
Revenues                                                                        
Third party     1 120 715   305 623     (7 635 231)    9 527 669                
Inter-segment   513 336     4 592       (517 928)     -                         
Total           1 634 051   310 215     (8 153 159)    9 527 669                
revenues                                                                        
Contribution    193 942     (73 660)    (3 172 053)    3 267 387                
to profit                                                                       
Contribution    183 645     (55 452)    (3 162 548)    3 265 793                
to headline                                                                     
earnings                                                                        
Segment         4 660 165   2 184 242   (12 468 680)   11 086 939               
assets                                                                          
Capital         2 491       83 590      (1 389 888)    1 475 968                
expenditure                                                                     
* Eliminations and adjustments mainly give effect to the                        
elimination of the 50% share attributable to the other joint                    
venture party in Assmang.                                                       
Directors                                                                       
Executive                                                                       
D Sacco (Chairman), RJ Carpenter (Deputy Chairman),                             
CJ Cory (Chief Executive Officer),                                              
PC Crous (Technical and Operations)                                             
Non-executive                                                                   
BM Hawksworth, MC Ramaphosa, EM Southey, Dr JC van der Horst                    
Alternate                                                                       
NG Sacco, PE Sacco, R Smith                                                     
Assore Limited                                                                  
Company registration number: 1950/037394/06                                     
Share code: ASR ISIN: ZAE000017117                                              
Registered office                                                               
Assore House, 15 Fricker Road, IIlovo Boulevard, Johannesburg, 2196             
Company secretaries                                                             
African Mining and Trust Company Limited                                        
Transfer office                                                                 
Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited,                          
70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001                                          
www.assore.com                                                                  
Date: 02/09/2010 12:12:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the    
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or            
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or   
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,     
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,     
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,     
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,          
information disseminated through SENS.