Production report for the period ended 31 March 2023
IMPALA PLATINUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1957/001979/06)
JSE Share code : IMP
ISIN : ZAE000083648
ADR code : IMPUY
(“Implats” or “the Group”)
Production report for the period ended 31 March 2023
Key features
• Regrettably, three fatalities were recorded in the third quarter, with a disappointing retracement
in the recorded lost-time and total-injury frequency rates
• A 2% decrease in total 6E Group production volumes to 2.35 million ounces in the nine months
ended 31 March 2023, with a 1% improvement in managed volumes to 1.74 million ounces, a
3% decrease in JV production to 396 000 ounces, and a 22% decrease in third-party receipts to
216 000 ounces
• Gross 6E refined and saleable production declined by 9% to 2.14 million ounces in the nine month
period due to the timing of processing maintenance and the increased frequency and severity of
load curtailment. 6E sales volumes of 2.27 million ounces were 5% lower than the prior
comparable nine month period
Implats’ Chief Executive Officer, Nico Muller, commented: “The increased severity of domestic and
regional power constraints has been well documented and was a notable impediment to operational
delivery in the quarter. Our suite of capital projects was progressed across the Group’s mining and
processing assets and our team continued to engage with key stakeholders to secure the outstanding
conditions precedent and conclude our offer for the remaining shares in Royal Bafokeng Platinum.
Demand from our customers remained robust and the Group maintained healthy operating margins and
free cash flow generation in the quarter. PGM pricing faced several headwinds in the period, with the
impact of short-term demand and supply dislocations in key markets exacerbated by financial flows.
Some easing in input pricing across key consumables has emerged, but notable rand depreciation has
persisted, limiting the benefit to our South African operations and adversely impacting the translated dollar
cost and capital base of our Zimbabwean and Canadian assets. Group production remains vulnerable to
the severity of regional load curtailment, which requires regular operational intervention and adjustments
across our mining and processing assets.
Given the constrained operating environment, FY2023 production is likely to be towards the lower end of
the previously guided range, while unit costs are trending toward the top end of the provided guidance.
The Group remains focused on delivering consistent and safe production, and constructively collaborating
with our key stakeholders to ensure operational agility and flexibility in the remaining months of FY2023.”
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
quarter quarter nine nine
Operational information ended ended months months
31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22
Safety
LTIFR Pmmhw 4.05 3.80 4.07 3.85
TIFR Pmmhw 10.02 9.17 9.47 10.01
Fatalities Count 3 2 5 7
Gross production
Tonnes milled (managed operations) 000t 5 609 5 357 17 424 16 659
Grade (6E) g/t 3.62 3.57 3.58 3.60
6E Group production 000oz 735 777 2 353 2 403
Managed operations 000oz 562 552 1 741 1 720
JV operations 000oz 125 136 396 407
Third-party 000oz 47 89 216 277
Gross 6E refined 000oz 662 735 2 138 2 352
Impala 6E refined 000oz 277 210 882 860
IRS 6E refined 000oz 315 467 1 061 1 320
Impala Canada saleable 6E 000oz 71 58 196 171
Gross platinum refined 000oz 299 332 983 1 092
Gross palladium refined 000oz 241 258 761 809
Gross rhodium refined 000oz 39 47 125 139
Gross nickel refined 000t 3 258 4 148 11 202 12 371
6E sales volumes 000oz 752 838 2 267 2 384
Managed operations production:
Impala Rustenburg
Tonnes milled 000t 2 384 2 274 7 552 7 255
Grade (6E) g/t 3.98 3.81 3.87 3.92
6E stock adjusted 1 000oz 289 280 898 906
Zimplats
Tonnes milled 000t 1 877 1 707 5 557 5 113
Grade (6E) g/t 3.26 3.40 3.34 3.41
6E in matte (incl. concentrate sold to IRS) 2 000oz 148 149 449 432
Marula
Tonnes milled 000t 453 491 1 461 1 511
Grade (6E) g/t 4.35 4.42 4.39 4.51
6E in concentrate 3 000oz 53 62 181 197
Impala Canada
Tonnes milled 000t 894 886 2 854 2 779
Grade (6E) g/t 3.06 2.80 2.87 2.65
6E in concentrate 3 000oz 71 62 213 185
JV operations production
Mimosa
Tonnes milled 000t 652 678 2 027 2 095
Grade (6E) g/t 3.77 3.84 3.78 3.84
6E in concentrate 3 000oz 56 60 179 184
Two Rivers
Tonnes milled 000t 841 859 2 654 2 533
Grade (6E) g/t 3.08 3.26 3.04 3.22
6E in concentrate 3 000oz 69 76 217 223
Impala Refining Services production
Gross 6E receipts 000oz 364 417 1 218 1 322
Mine-to-market 000oz 318 329 1 002 1 044
Managed operations 000oz 201 194 621 651
JV operations 000oz 117 135 381 393
Third-party 000oz 47 89 216 277
1. PGM production post the precious metals refinery, adjusted for any increase (added) or decrease (deducted) in smelting and refining
lock-up
2. PGM production post the smelter ahead of the base metal refinery, unadjusted for further processing recoveries
3. PGM production post the concentrator ahead of the smelter, unadjusted for further processing recoveries
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Implats’ goal is to eliminate harm to the health and safety of our employees and contractors and, as such,
safe production remains our foremost priority. Regrettably, during the quarter ended 31 March 2023, the
Group reported three fatal incidents at managed operations. On 4 February, Mr Abraham Mofokeng
passed away from injuries suffered from the detonation of remnant explosives at Impala Rustenburg’s 14
Shaft. On 8 February, Mr Henry Raki was fatally injured in a fall-of-ground incident at Zimplats’ Mupani
Mine and on 13 March, Mr Thembile Ngqanji suffered fatal injuries in a fall-of-ground incident at Impala
Rustenburg’s 20 Shaft. The board and management team have extended their sincere sympathies to the
families and colleagues of the deceased.
For the nine months ended 31 March 2023, the Group’s lost-time injury frequency rate (LTIFR)
deteriorated by 6% to 4.07 per million man hours worked from 3.85 reported in the previous comparable
nine month period, while the total-injury frequency rate (TIFR) improved by 5% to 9.47 per million man
hours worked.
PRODUCTION
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Gross Group 6E production declined by 5% to 735 000 ounces. Tonnes milled at managed operations
improved by 5% to 5.61 million tonnes during the quarter, with higher volumes at Impala Rustenburg,
Zimplats and Impala Canada offsetting lower mill throughput at Marula. A 2% improvement in milled grade
to 3.62g/t 6E was partially offset by lower recoveries, resulting in 6E production at managed operations
increasing by 2% to 562 000 ounces. 6E production from the joint ventures (JVs) at Mimosa and Two
Rivers declined by 8% to 125 000 ounces. At Impala Refining Services (IRS), third-party 6E receipts of
47 000 ounces were 47% lower than the prior comparable quarter.
Refined 6E production, which includes saleable ounces from Impala Canada, declined by 10% to 662 000
ounces. Production in the quarter was impacted by lower Group production volumes and compounded
by reduced available smelting capacity due to scheduled maintenance and the increased severity and
frequency of load curtailment in the quarter.
The scheduled rebuild of the Number 4 furnace, which began in November 2022, was completed as
planned at the beginning of April, but experienced some delays in recommissioning due to constrained
power availability.
In addition to load curtailment at South African managed and JV operations, severe loadshedding was
also experienced across the Zimbabwean national grid in March 2023 due to generation constraints at
Hwange Power Stations and the curtailment of power imports following payment challenges.
Implats responds to load curtailment requirements through several operational interventions including
reducing power to Group smelters and adjusting milling, hoisting and re-mining rates. The estimated
impact of Eskom load curtailment on Group production in the quarter resulted in the deferral of circa
16 000 6E ounces. Implats finished the period with circa 190 000 6E ounces of excess inventory.
6E sales volumes of 752 000 ounces declined by 10%, in line with lower refined volumes.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Group production in the nine month period was negatively impacted by the challenging operational
environment, with a notable impact from power supply interruptions and safety stoppages at our southern
African operations. Tonnes milled from managed operations increased by 5% to 17.42 million tonnes,
while the average 6E mill grade declined by 1% to 3.58g/t. 6E production from managed operations at
Impala Rustenburg, Zimplats, Marula and Impala Canada increased by 1% to 1.74 million ounces.
6E production from the JV operations declined by 3% to 396 000 ounces, due to safety stoppages at Two
Rivers and the impact of commissioning and optimising the Mimosa concentrator, which was further
impeded by power supply interruptions. Received 6E third-party concentrate volumes of 216 000 ounces
were 22% lower than the prior comparable period, due to operational challenges at peer group producers
and the cessation of deliveries from two contracts. In total, the Group’s gross 6E production decreased
2% to 2.35 million ounces.
Refined 6E production, which includes saleable production from Impala Canada, declined by 9% to 2.14
million ounces. The impact of lower production volumes and third-party receipts was exacerbated by
constrained processing capacity, due to the scheduled rebuild of the furnace at Rustenburg, and the
increased severity and frequency of load curtailment during the period. The estimated impact of Eskom
load curtailment resulted in the deferral of circa 27 000 6E ounces in the nine months to end March 2023.
6E sales volumes of 2.27 million ounces decreased by 5% from the prior comparable period, with some
destocking of refined inventory to offset the impact of the planned furnace maintenance.
Impala Rustenburg
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Tonnes milled during the quarter increased by 5% to 2.38 million tonnes, despite load curtailment, safety
stoppages and engineering constraints, while grade improved by 4% to 3.98g/t 6E. Recoveries and yield
gains were impacted by load curtailment, and stock-adjusted 6E production increased by 3% to 289 000
ounces.
Refined 6E production of 277 000 ounces increased by 32% from the prior comparable period, despite
reduced available processing capacity flowing from the Number 4 furnace rebuild. The furnace rebuild
was progressed according to plan, with limited delays to the scheduled April 2023 heat-up due to Eskom
load curtailment, and first matte was tapped on 1 May 2023.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Milled volumes increased by 4% to 7.55 million tonnes, while 6E mill grade of 3.87g/t was 1% lower.
Lower re-mining volumes, recoveries and yield gains limited the increase in 6E production, which declined
1% to 898 000 ounces, while refined 6E production increased by 3% to 882 000 ounces.
Zimplats
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Zimplats delivered a 10% increase in milled throughput to 1.88 million tonnes. Volumes were negatively
impacted by regional power outages suffered in March, but benefitted from increased installed milling
capacity following commissioning of the third concentrator in late H1 FY2023. Grade declined by 4%,
impacted by dilution across geological features and higher throughput of low-grade ore stockpile. While
concentrate volumes increased, production in matte of 148 000 6E ounces was impacted by power
outages and maintenance at the Zimplats furnace.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Mill throughput increased by 9% to 5.56 million tonnes, offsetting slightly lower grade and recoveries.
Production in matte increased by 4% to 449 000 6E ounces.
Marula
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Marula faced a series of operational challenges during the period under review including renewed
community unrest, infrastructure breakdowns, safety stoppages, regional power failures and national load
curtailment. Tonnes milled declined by 8% to 453 000 tonnes and milled grade of 4.35g/t was 2% lower
than the prior comparable period. 6E concentrate production decreased by a more notable 15% to 53 000
ounces as recoveries were impacted by plant instability due to load curtailment.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Milled throughput and 6E head grade of 1.46 million tonnes and 4.39g/t, respectively, each declined by
3% from the prior comparable period. Lower metal recoveries, largely due to power curtailment,
compounded the impact of weaker volumes and resulted in an 8% decline in 6E concentrate production
to 181 000 ounces.
Impala Canada
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Impala Canada continued to benefit from improved operational continuity with improved plant stability
following the commissioning of the mill decoupling project in late H1 FY2023, and was bolstered by
increased throughput of higher-grade underground ore. Milled throughput increased by 1% to 894 000
tonnes. Milled head grade increased by 9% to 3.06g/t and 6E metal in concentrate of 71 000 ounces was
15% higher than that achieved in the prior comparable period.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Impala Canada delivered a 3% increase in milled throughput to 2.85 million tonnes, which, together with
an 8% increase in milled head grade of 2.87g/t, resulted in a 15% increase in nine month 6E concentrate
production to 213 000 ounces.
Mimosa
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Milling operations at Mimosa were negatively impacted by sporadic regional power interruptions and the
planned five-day plant shutdown in March to integrate and commission the optimised plant project. Milled
volumes of 652 000 tonnes declined by 4% and milled head grade, of 3.77g/t 6E, was 2% lower than the
prior comparable period. 6E production in concentrate declined by 6% to 56 000 ounces.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Mimosa operated well despite power interruptions and the series of interventions to optimise and improve
stability and recoveries at the concentrator plant during the period. Milled throughput and head grade
declined by 3% and 2% respectively, while 6E concentrate production of 179 000 was 2% weaker than
in the prior compatible period.
Two Rivers
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Two Rivers faced a series of operational challenges in FY2023, which compounded the operational
impact of the required ramp-up in mining volumes, the optimisation of expanded UG2 milling capacity,
and the significant on-site project activity associated with the Merensky project. Safety stoppages, mine
equipment failures, and regional electrical breakdowns and repairs took place in the period, while mined
volumes and grade were impacted by a transition in mining cuts and some batch-milling of development
ore from the Merensky project. Tonnes milled declined by 2% to 841 000 tonnes, 6E mill grade decreased
by 6% to 3.08g/t, and 6E volumes in concentrate of 69 000 ounces were 9% weaker than the prior
comparable period.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Tonnes milled increased by 5% to 2.65 million tonnes, but the volume gains were offset by a 6% lower
6E milled grade of 3.04g/t, impacted by split reef, the transition of mining cuts and ore stockpile milling
during the period. As a result, 6E concentrate volumes of 217 000 ounces declined by 3% compared to
the prior comparable period.
IRS
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Concentrate receipts were impacted by lower deliveries from third parties, with two contracts terminating
during the quarter, and deliveries from Mimosa deferred by administrative delays. Mine-to-market receipts
of 318 000 6E ounces declined by 3%, while third-party receipts fell by 47% to 47 000 6E ounces. Refined
6E production of 315 000 ounces from both mine-to-market operations (Zimplats, Marula, Two Rivers
and Mimosa) and IRS third-party customers declined by 33% from the prior comparable period as
concentrate was stockpiled during the rebuild of the Number 4 furnace at Impala Rustenburg.
Nine months ended 31 March 2023
Mine-to-market receipts of 1.00 million 6E ounces decreased by 4%, with receipts in the prior comparable
period elevated by the deferred delivery of volumes from Zimplats. Third-party receipts of 216 000 6E
ounces were 22% lower and gross receipts of 1.22 million ounces declined by 8%. Refined volumes were
constrained by smelter maintenance and load curtailment and declined by 20% to 1.06 million ounces.
ACQUISTION OF ROYAL BAFOKENG PLATINUM SHARES AND TRANSACTION UPDATE
The Group concluded purchase agreements for a total of 2 393 704 shares in Royal Bafokeng Platinum
(RBPlat) during the period, for an offer consideration of R90 and 0.3 Implats shares per RBPlat share
acquired. On 2 May 2023, Implats held an aggregate of approximately 45.09% of the RBPlat shares in
issue, following the acquisition of a further 10 307 417 RBPlat shares post period end.
As previously communicated, the remaining Conditions Precedent outstanding for Implats to declare its
offer to RBPlat shareholders unconditional are the issuance of a Compliance Certificate by the Takeover
Regulation Panel (TRP) and JSE approval to list the Offer Consideration Shares.
On 26 April 2023, RBPlat notified shareholders of its intentions, to resolve the outstanding issues
following the Takeover Special Committee (TSC) rulings, which have been acknowledged as the key
impediment to issuing Implats with a Compliance Certificate.
Implats has extended the Longstop Date set for fulfilment or waiver of the conditions precedent to 31 May
2023, and continues to engage with key stakeholders in this regard.
OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE
Despite the challenging operating environment during the period under review, the elevated load
curtailment requirements and the prevailing exchange rates, Implats remains on track to deliver within
the guided Group parameters for FY2023, with volumes trending towards the lower and costs increasing
towards the upper boundaries of the range, respectively.
The third quarter production report for the period 1 January to 31 March 2023 has not been reviewed and
reported on by Implats’ external auditors.
Queries:
Johan Theron
E-mail : johan.theron@implats.co.za
T : +27 (0) 11 731 9013
M : +27 (0) 82 809 0166
Emma Townshend
E-mail : emma.townshend@implats.co.za
T : +27 (0) 21 794 8345
M : +27 (0) 82 415 3770
Alice Lourens
E-mail : alice.lourens@implats.co.za
T: +27 (0) 11 731 9033
M : +27 (0) 82 498 3608
2 May 2023
Johannesburg
Sponsor to Implats
Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, a division of Nedbank Limited
7
Date: 02-05-2023 01:30:00
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