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GEMFIELDS GROUP LIMITED - Trading Statement for six months ended 30 June 2024

Release Date: 25/09/2024 08:00
Code(s): GML     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Trading Statement for six months ended 30 June 2024

Gemfields Group Limited
Incorporated in Guernsey. Guernsey registration Number: 47656.
South African external company registration number 2009/012636/10
Share code on JSE:GML / AIM:GEM
ISIN: GG00BG0KTL52 | LEI: 21380017GAVXTCYS5R31
("Gemfields" or the "Company")


Trading Statement for six months ended 30 June
2024

LONDON, 25 SEPTEMBER 2024


In accordance with paragraph 3.4(b) of the JSE Listings Requirements, Gemfields shareholders are
advised that the Company is reasonably certain of its expected financial interim results for the six
months ended 30 June 2024.

Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Gemfields, commented:

"Further to our operational update for the six months to 30 June 2024, which was published on 26 July, we are
pleased to provide this trading statement ahead of the release of our Interim Results on Friday 27 September 2024.

"As previously disclosed, the Group generated auction revenues during the period of USD 120.6 million, as well as
USD 6.6 million from Fabergé, contributing to another profitable period albeit at a reduced level when compared to
the same period last year. This month we experienced a weaker-than-expected commercial-quality emerald auction.
While this increases the uncertainty we face, management considers it unlikely that the November higher-quality
emerald auction or the December mixed-quality ruby auction will see below par results of a similar scope.

"While higher-quality gemstones typically remain more robust than lower-quality gemstones in challenging times, we
remain vigilant given that the luxury and gemstone sectors are facing greater uncertainty than we have seen in the last
three years.

"While we continue to invest in our future having completed the Kagem processing plant upgrade, and with the
construction of MRM's second processing plant materially on time and within budget, for completion by the end of
H1 2025, we will maintain a keen focus on working capital and capital allocation.

"We look forward to presenting our half year results in full detail to our shareholders and the market on Friday
morning."

Expected revenues and net profit

Gemfields' two key operating assets, Kagem Mining Limited ("Kagem") and Montepuez Ruby
Mining Limitada ("MRM"), generated revenues of USD 51.9 million and USD 68.7 million
respectively in the six months to 30 June 2024 (2023 H1: Kagem – USD 64.6 million; MRM – USD
80.4 million). The demand for rough emeralds and rubies remained healthy, while production of
the highest-quality gemstones at both mines over this period was below the Group's expectations.
Kagem's production in August saw a considerable uptick alongside the completion of its upgraded
processing plant while MRM continues to be challenged by weaker gemstone production.

Fabergé recorded revenues of USD 6.6 million (2023 H1: USD 8.4 million) in a softer luxury-goods
market and against a comparative 2023 H1 period that included a one-off sale of legacy jewellery.

Gemfields' 6.54% shareholding in Sedibelo Resources Limited ("Sedibelo"), the platinum group
metals ("PGM") company, has now been written down to nil from USD 4.0 million at the end of
2023. The write-down reflects the fact that there has been no further positive news from Sedibelo,
that their operations remain suspended and Gemfields management's view that the prospects in
the medium term remain dim. The Sedibelo stake is non-core to the Gemfields business.

Gemfields is reasonably certain that, after taking this write-down into account, its net profit after
tax1 will be USD 13.7 million for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (2023 H1: net profit after tax
of USD 18.1 million). In ZAR terms, the net profit after tax is expected to be ZAR 255.6 million
(2023 H1: net profit after tax ZAR 333.7 million). The lower profit is driven by the lower revenues
and higher costs at both operations, the Sedibelo write-down and an increase in net financing costs
as the Group's debt increases to help fund the construction of MRM's second processing plant.

Expected earnings per share and headline earnings per share

Earnings per share2 is expected to be USDc 0.6 for the first six months of the year (2023 H1:
Earnings per share – USDc 0.8). In ZAR terms, the earnings per share is expected to be ZARc
11.8, down 21% (2023 H1: Earnings per share – ZARc 14.9).

Headline loss per share2 is expected to be the same as earnings per share – USDc 0.6 (2023 H1:
Headline earnings per share – USDc 0.8). In ZAR terms, headline earnings per share is expected
to be ZARc 11.8, down 21% (2023 H1: Headline earnings per share – ZARc 14.9).

Adjusted headline earnings per share2, which excludes Sedibelo's fair value loss, is expected to be
USDc 1.0 (2023 H1: USDc 1.9). In ZAR terms, adjusted headline earnings per share is expected                                                                
to be ZARc 18.2, down 48% (2023 H1: Adjusted headline earnings per share – ZARc 35.1).

The Company's weighted average shares in issue in the six months ended 30 June 2024 was
1,166,695,130 (Weighted average for 2023 H1: 1,214,296,090).

The financial information upon which this trading statement is based has not been reviewed or
reported on by the Company's auditors and is the responsibility of the Company's directors.

The Company's financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 are expected to be released
on SENS, RNS and the Company's website at 07:00am (UK) / 08:00am (South Africa) on Friday,
27 September 2024.

1   Net profit after tax is reported on a 100% basis for the current period (i.e. inclusive of the minority interest).

2   Per share metrics based on weighted average number of shares over the period and earnings are based on parent-
only figures (i.e. exclusive of the minority interest).




Interim results shareholder and analyst webcast

There will be a shareholder and analyst webcast on Friday, 27 September 2024 at 09:00 am (UK)
/ 10:00 am (South Africa). Sean Gilbertson (CEO) and David Lovett (CFO) will present the
Company's 2024 interim results.

The Company will host a question and answer session following the presentation. Should you wish
to ask a question, please either email your questions in advance to ir@gemfields.com, or use the
'Ask a question' link on the webcast page during the event.

Shareholders who wish to watch the webcast are requested to register via the link below:
https://sparklive.lseg.com/GemfieldsGroupLtd/events/6382ea02-7352-446b-97c7-
e29061da20e1/gemfields-group-limited-interim-results-2024

Should you have any further queries with regards to the proceedings of the event, please contact
Investor Relations (ir@gemfields.com).




                                                          -ENDS-



                                                                                   
               Further information on Gemfields Group Limited can be found at:
                                      GEMFIELDSGROUP.COM




                          To join our investor mailing list, contact us on:
                                        ir@gemfields.com


                           For any press enquiries please contact us on:
                                    gemfields@camarco.co.uk




This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) no. 596/2014 which forms part of domestic UK law pursuant to the European Union
(withdrawal) act 2018 ("MAR").




                                           ENQUIRIES




 GEMFIELDS                         Sean Gilbertson / David Lovett / Ian Hughes
                                   ir@gemfields.com
                                   T: +44(0) 20 7518 3400

 SPONSOR (JSE)                     Investec Bank Limited


 NOMINATED ADVISER                 Panmure Liberum
 (AIM) & BROKER                    Scott Mathieson / John More / Anake Singh
                                   T: +44(0) 20 3100 2222


 FINANCIAL PR/ IR                  Camarco
                                   Gordon Poole / Emily Hall
                                   T: +44(0) 20 3757 4980




                  
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON GEMFIELDS


Gemfields is a world-leading responsible miner and marketer of coloured gemstones. Gemfields is
the operator and 75% owner of both the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia (believed to be the
world's single largest producing emerald mine) and the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique (one
of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world). In addition, Gemfields also
holds controlling interests in various other gemstone mining and prospecting licences in Zambia,
Mozambique, Ethiopia and Madagascar.


Gemfields' outright ownership of Fabergé - an iconic and prestigious brand of exceptional heritage
- enables Gemfields to optimise positioning, perception and consumer awareness of coloured
gemstones through Fabergé designs, advancing the wider group's "mine and market" vision.


Gemfields has developed a proprietary grading system and a pioneering auction platform to
provide a consistent supply of coloured gemstones to downstream markets, a key component of
Gemfields' business model that has played an important role in the growth of the global coloured
gemstone sector.




                                            GEMFIELDS

                          GEMFIELDS.COM | INVESTORS |FOUNDATION

                            INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | YOUTUBE




                                             FABERGÉ

                   FABERGÉ.COM | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | YOUTUBE




                                    KAGEM MINING LINKEDIN

                              MONTEPUEZ RUBY MINING LINKEDIN




                                                             

Date: 25-09-2024 08:00:00
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