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Simulations Plus, Inc.

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FY2018 Annual Report · Simulations Plus, Inc.
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2018
ANNUAL  REPORT

ABOUT US

LOW-COST PRODUCER OF 
PLATINUM GROUP METALS

Sylvania Platinum Limited (Sylvania) is a low-cost producer of the platinum 

group metals (PGMs) platinum, palladium and rhodium, with two distinct 

lines of business: the re-treatment of PGM-rich chrome tailings material 

from mines in the region and the potential development of shallow mining 

operations and processing methods for low-cost PGM extraction. 

DISCLAIMER

To the best knowledge and belief of Sylvania Platinum and its Directors (having taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the 
case), the information contained in this document is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import 
of such information, prepared in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Sylvania PlatinumWE CREATECONTENTS

ABOUT SYLVANIA

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

GOVERNANCE

Corporate profile

Report profile

Location of operations and projects

Business model

Chairman’s letter

CEO’s review

Sustainability

4

4

5

6

Directors’ report

22

Corporate governance statement 30

10

14

18

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Directors’ responsibilities in the preparation of the 
financial statements

Independent auditor’s report

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

34

35

38

39

40

41

42

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Additional information for listed  
public companies

88

ANCILLARY INFORMATION

Glossary of terms and acronyms

Corporate directory

89

93

1

Annual Report 2018VALUE2

Sylvania Platinum

WE VALUEABOUT SYLVANIA

Corporate profile

Report profile

Location of operations and projects

Business model

4

4

5

6

THE SAFETY AND  
HEALTH OF ALL

EMPLOYEES ARE AT THE 
HEART OF OUR COMPANY

so we place their safety and health above all else in everything that we do.

3

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAAnnual Report 2018CORPORATE PROFILE

Sylvania Platinum Limited is a 

LOW-COST PRODUCER OF 
PLATINUM GROUP METALS (PGMs) INCLUDING

78

46

78

45

46

78

45

46

45

Pt

195.08

 Platinum 
Pt
Pd
Rh

106.42

102.90

195.08

Pd

106.42

Rh

 Palladium 
Pt

Pd

102.90

195.08

106.42

102.90  Rhodium 
Rh

The Company’s core business is the retreatment of PGM bearing chrome tailings material.  
The Company also holds prospecting and mining rights for a number of PGM projects on  
the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. 

In order to strengthen the Company’s position as a low-risk 
specialist in the low-cost production of PGMs, Sylvania operates 
according to the following business priorities:

•   Identifying projects that balance minimal operational and 

financial risk with the potential for high margins;

•   Ensuring that the Management teams are always well resourced 

with the right combination of skills;

•   Focus on cash generation during uncertain economic times; and

•   Continually apply appropriate practices/technology to maintain 

the Company as a lower quartile producer.

The Company’s focus is on cash generation and it will return 
capital to shareholders according to the dividend policy.

The Board has also recommended the payment of a maiden cash 
dividend of 0.35 pence per share, following shareholder approval  
at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on 
23 November 2018.

The Sylvania cash generating subsidiaries are incorporated in  
South Africa with the functional currency of these operations being 
SA Rand (ZAR). Revenues from the sale of PGMs are incurred in 
US Dollars (USD) and then converted into ZAR.

The Group’s reporting currency is USD as the parent company 
is incorporated in Bermuda. Corporate and general and 
administration costs are incurred in USD, Great British Pounds 
(GBP) and ZAR. 

REPORT PROFILE

This annual report presents a review of the operational 
and financial performance of Sylvania Platinum Limited 
(Sylvania) or (the Company) for the 12 months ended 
30 June 2018. The report includes an analysis of the 
Company’s material issues and the steps taken to operate 
successfully and sustainably within its governance and  
risk framework.

Scan this QR code to 
download a PDF version 
of this report.

The consolidated financial statements, set out on pages 38 to 84, 
were approved on 27 August 2018. They include the Company’s 
financial results and were prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The consolidated financial 
statements represent the ongoing activities of the Sylvania Group. 
Throughout the report, financial data is reported in US Dollars, 
unless otherwise stated.

The Company is quoted on AIM, and in accordance with the AIM 
Rules for Companies (the AIM Rules), has chosen to adopt the 
Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Corporate Governance Code 
2018 for Smaller Companies. In accordance with the AIM Rules  
this will be adopted and implemented from September 2018,  
and a summary will be available on the Company’s website  
(www.sylvaniaplatinum.com) from that date. The corporate 
governance statement can be found on pages 30 and 31 of this report.

4

Sylvania PlatinumLOCALITY WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA

LIMPOPO PROVINCE

NORTH WEST 

PROVINCE

LOCALITY WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA

LIMPOPO PROVINCE

NORTH WEST 
PROVINCE

LOCATION OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTS

LOCALITY WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA

NORTHERN
LIMB

4

LIMPOPO PROVINCE

NORTH WEST 
PROVINCE

NORTHERN
LIMB

N
11

4

Polokwane
(Pietersburg)

3

2

N
1

Mokopane
(Potgietersrus)

N
11

Polokwane
(Pietersburg)

EASTERN
LIMB

N
1

Mokopane
(Potgietersrus)

3

2

EASTERN
LIMB

Nylsvlei RAMSAR

Modimolle 
(Nylstroom)

N
1

Nylsvlei RAMSAR

Groblersdal

Modimolle 
(Nylstroom)

N
1

4
5
6

7

1

Groblersdal

Dullstroom

4
5
6

7

N
4

1

N
4

Pretoria

Rustenburg
N
14

1
2

3

Krugersdorp

N
4

N
4

Pretoria

Johannesburg

N
14

Krugersdorp

Johannesburg

Middelburg

Dullstroom

Middelburg

N
4

Mbombela
(Nelspruit)

N
4

Mbombela
(Nelspruit)

NORTHERN

LIMB

4

WESTERN
LIMB

Polokwane
(Pietersburg)

WESTERN
LIMB

N

11

3

2

N

1

Mokopane

(Potgietersrus)

Nylsvlei RAMSAR

Modimolle 

(Nylstroom)

N

1

Groblersdal

EASTERN
LIMB

Rustenburg

1
2

3

4
5
6

7

1

Dullstroom

N
4

Mbombela
(Nelspruit)

Middelburg

N

4

WESTERN

LIMB

Rustenburg

1

2

3

N

4

N

14

Pretoria

Krugersdorp

Johannesburg

LEGEND

Operating Sylvania complexes

Mooinooi – Dump and ROM (SDO)

Tweefontein (SDO)

Steelpoort (SDO)

Lannex (SDO)

5

6

7

1

2

3

4

Millsell (SDO)

CTRP (25% JV)

Doornbosch (SDO)

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

Rustenburg 

Layered 

Suite

Granites and allied rocks

Upper zone

Main zone

Critical, lower and marginal zones

Merensky reef

UG2 Chromitite layer

Platreef

Main roads

Main river

SLP

Sylvania

LEGEND

Rustenburg 
Layered 
Suite

Granites and allied rocks
Upper zone
Granites and allied rocks
Rustenburg 
Main zone
Upper zone
Critical, lower and marginal zones
Layered 
0
Main zone
Suite
Critical, lower and marginal zones

SCALE

50km

Merensky reef
UG2 Chromitite layer
Platreef

Merensky reef
SLP
UG2 Chromitite layer
Platreef

SDO

Sylvania Dump Operations

Younger cover rocks

Younger alkaline intrusions
and carbonatities

Operating Sylvania complexes

LEGEND

Operating Sylvania complexes

Millsell (SDO)

Mineral projects

1
CTRP (25% JV)
2

Everest North

Millsell (SDO)

CTRP (25% JV)

Mooinooi – Dump and ROM (SDO)

Mooinooi – Dump and ROM (SDO)

Volspruit

3

Doornbosch (SDO)
Grasvally

4
Northern Limb projects

Doornbosch (SDO)

5

6

7

Steelpoort (SDO)

5

Steelpoort (SDO)

Lannex (SDO)

6
Tweefontein (SDO)
7

Lannex (SDO)

Tweefontein (SDO)

Impaired during financial year ended 30 June 2014

5

0

SCALE

50km

0
Sylvania Dump Operations

SDO

SCALE

50km

Younger cover rocks
SDO
Younger alkaline intrusions
and carbonatities

Sylvania Dump Operations

Younger cover rocks
Younger alkaline intrusions
and carbonatities

Main roads

Main river
Sylvania

SLP

Main roads

Main river
Sylvania

Mineral projects

Mineral projects

Everest North

Everest North
1

Volspruit

2

Grasvally

3

Volspruit

Grasvally

1

2

3

4

Northern Limb projects

Northern Limb projects

4

Impaired during financial year ended 30 June 2014

Impaired during financial year ended 30 June 2014

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAAnnual Report 2018Nylsvlei RAMSARKrugersdorpMokopane(Potgietersrus)Polokwane(Pietersburg)GroblersdalDullstroomMiddelburgMbombela(Nelspruit)RustenburgJohannesburgPretoriaModimolle (Nylstroom)N11N14N1N1N4N4N4WESTERNLIMBNORTHERNLIMBEASTERNLIMB124563ABCD234756DBCMillsell (SDO)Mooinooi – Dump and ROM (SDO)Lesedi SDO)Acquired: Nov ‘17Previously Phoenix PlatinumDoornbosch (SDO)Lannex (SDO)Tweefontein (SDO)7Steelpoort (SDO)Decommissioned: Jun ‘17VolspruitGrasvallyNorthern Limb projectsEverest NorthImpaired during FY20131ALOCALITY WITHIN SOUTH AFRICALIMPOPO PROVINCENORTH WEST PROVINCESCALE050kmLEGENDMain roadsMain riverSylvaniaRustenburg Layered SuiteSLPSylvania Dump OperationsYounger cover rocksYounger alkaline intrusionsand carbonatitiesSDOGranites and allied rocksUpper zoneMain zoneCritical, lower and marginal zonesMerensky reefUG2 Chromitite layerPlatreefOperating Sylvania complexesMineral projectsDecommissioned operationsNylsvlei RAMSARKrugersdorpMokopane(Potgietersrus)Polokwane(Pietersburg)GroblersdalDullstroomMiddelburgMbombela(Nelspruit)RustenburgJohannesburgPretoriaModimolle (Nylstroom)N11N14N1N1N4N4N4WESTERNLIMBNORTHERNLIMBEASTERNLIMB124563ABCD234756DBCMillsell (SDO)Mooinooi – Dump and ROM (SDO)Lesedi SDO)Acquired: Nov ‘17Previously Phoenix PlatinumDoornbosch (SDO)Lannex (SDO)Tweefontein (SDO)7Steelpoort (SDO)Decommissioned: Jun ‘17VolspruitGrasvallyNorthern Limb projectsEverest NorthImpaired during FY20131ALOCALITY WITHIN SOUTH AFRICALIMPOPO PROVINCENORTH WEST PROVINCESCALE050kmLEGENDMain roadsMain riverSylvaniaRustenburg Layered SuiteSLPSylvania Dump OperationsYounger cover rocksYounger alkaline intrusionsand carbonatitiesSDOGranites and allied rocksUpper zoneMain zoneCritical, lower and marginal zonesMerensky reefUG2 Chromitite layerPlatreefOperating Sylvania complexesMineral projectsDecommissioned operationsBUSINESS MODEL

7
1
0
2

S
T
U
P
N

I

N
O

I
T
A
E
R
C

E
U
L
A
V

8
1
0
2

S
T
U
P
T
U
O

28 

54 

65 

12 

GROUP REVENUE SDO EBITDA
increased 28% year-on-
year to $50.5 million 
(FY2016: $39.5 million)

increased 54%  
to $20.0 million  
for SDO  
(FY2016: $13.0 million)

GROUP EBITDA
improved by 65%  
to $18.3 million  
(FY2016: $11.1 million)

G&A COSTS
General and 
administrative costs 
down by 12% from 
$2.26 million in FY2016 
to $2.00 million

VISION

VALUES

To be the leading mid-tier, 
lowest unit cost PGMs 
producing company

MISSION

To generate wealth for all of 
our stakeholders using safe and 
innovative processes with focus 
on PGMs while exploiting any 
value-adding associated minerals

We value the 
safety and health 
of all

We value the 
fundamental rights 
of people

We value honesty 
and integrity

We respect  
the environment

We value the culture, traditional rights 
and society in which we operate

24 

21 

24 

NET REVENUE
up 24% to $62.8 million 
(FY2017: $50.5 million)

GROUP EBITDA
improved by 21% on 
FY2017 to $22.2 million

NET PROFIT
$11.0 million compared 
to $8.9 million in FY2017

$14.0

million
CASH BALANCE
positive Group cash 
balance (including 
guarantees of  
$1.0 million)

6

Sylvania Platinum 
 
 
$8.87 139 

162 

84 

GROSS PROFIT
up by 84% year-on-year 
from $7.73 million in 
FY2016 to $14.26 million

million
PROFIT
after income tax of  
$8.87 million achieved 
(FY2016: $3.73 million)

EPS
Basic earnings per share 
(EPS) improved 139% to 
3.06 US cents per share 
from 1.28 US cents per 
share in FY2016

CAPEX
Group capital and 
exploration expenditure 
increased by 162%  
to $4.67 million  
(FY2016: $1.78 million)

VALUE CREATION

SHAREHOLDER-FRIENDLY USE OF CASH

Free 
cash flow 
generation

Optimisation 
of value 
from current 
resources and 
infrastructure

Opportunistic 
growth 
through 
further tailings 
treatment 
deals

Preserve 
option value 
in other 
assets and 
realise when 
possible

Only commit capital to growth projects when internal 
hurdle rate is met

Opportunistic buyback of shares

Satisfy Sylvania bonus share awards through buybacks 
to prevent dilution or cancel shares to enhance 
shareholder returns

Pay shareholder dividends in terms of revised 
Dividend Policy

Project Echo funded from internal resources and 
rolled out across operation

S
T
C
E
P
S
O
R
P

E
R
U
T
U
F

Company can continue 
to fund capital expansion 
projects with current 
forecast cash resources

Fast-tracking Mooinooi’s 
MF2 module to counter 
delays in commissioning 
Tweefontein Project Echo 
MF2 module

Grade and recovery 
optimisation to support 
increased production in 
FY2019

Relocation of old 
Steelpoort chrome plant 
to Lesedi operation for 
higher PGM feed grade  
to flotation

7

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAAnnual Report 2018 
8

Sylvania PlatinumWE VALUESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Chairman’s letter

CEO’s review

Sustainability

10

14

18

AND RESPECT THE 
ENVIRONMENT

WE ACT IN A MANNER  
THAT IS SUSTAINABLE

and environmentally responsible, applying professional and innovative methods.

9

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIACHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Letter to 

fellow shareholders

OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR

The results of the past 12 months were 
quite pleasing. In a constrained operating 
environment, Sylvania’s dump operations 
(SDO) have delivered on the promises 
made in the previous financial year. Despite 
a production wobble due to delays at 
Millsell, where licensing of our newly 
constructed tailings facility was protracted, 
and at Tweefontein, where power supply was 
erratic, we managed to realise the returns we 
had proposed in our revised guidance. 

We are certainly encouraged by the highlights 
of our past year, particularly the valuable 
acquisition of Phoenix Platinum Mining 
(Pty) Ltd (renamed Lesedi) at a fair price 
– we didn’t overpay to realise our growth 
ambitions. The roll-out of secondary milling 
flotation circuits (MF2) under Project Echo, 
also remains a sound business decision that 
will enable us to maintain sustainability of the 
SDO. With Millsell and Doornbosch’s MF2s 
already online, we expect to reap greater 
rewards once Mooinooi MF2 is up and 
running in FY2019. 

Despite our positive prospects, reliable 
power supply presents serious cause 

for concern while the ongoing issues at 
our national power utility continues to 
hamstring opportunities within the mining 
sector. To mitigate this risk, we decided 
to reshuffle the order of our roll-out of 
Project Echo, which adversely affected 
planned production for FY2018.

register, with little opportunity to trade. 
It was impractical to maintain a register 
of shareholders outside of the UK trading 
platform on which the Company’s shares 
are traded. The Share Buyback Programme 
aimed to assist this group of shareholders 
obtain fair value at minimal cost.

The final extension of the programme ran to 
24 August 2018 when approximately 57% of 
non-UK shareholders were bought out with 
mutual benefit for all. 

At the close of the reporting period,  
the cost of the Share Buyback Programme 
to the Company amounted to A$369,386 
with the Company successfully buying back 
2,281,570 shares. Upon conclusion of the 
Programme, a total of 2,397,481 shares  
were bought back at a total cost of 
A$388,152 and all will be cancelled in due 
course. No further buybacks are envisioned 
although your Directors will continue to 
assess opportunities and  
act accordingly. 

This Share Buyback Programme will 
ultimately result in a ‘tidier’ shareholder 
register that will facilitate the administration 
of a dividend.

DIVIDENDS

On the 3rd August 2018, I received 
an interesting letter from an individual 
shareholder with a sizeable holding. In his 
letter he requested that the Company 
consider the introduction of a dividend, 
however modest, with the 2018 Final 
Results. Included in his motivation was,  
inter alia, a copy of the Company’s dividend 
policy as announced on 21 January 2013.

Thankfully, largely owing to the gumption of 
our Management teams and our acquisition 
of Lesedi, production is still up year-on-year, 
and within our guidance of 71,000 to  
75,000 ounces, albeit at the lower end. 

With the longer term in mind, government 
needs to address the shortcomings of the 
proposed Mining Charter so that the industry 
does not end up paying for the sins of the past, 
while poor service delivery (infrastructure 
and water, especially) and resultant 
community unrest continue unabated. 

SHARE BUYBACK 

In the interests of our shareholders, the 
Company began an active Share Buyback 
Programme during the financial year. Due to 
the Company’s initial domicile in Australia 
prior to our redomicile to Bermuda, 40% 
of our shareholders owned 3% of the 

Stuart Murray 
Chairman

10

Sylvania Platinum 
and within our guidance of 71,000 to 75,000 
ounces, albeit at the lower end.” 

11

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAProduction  is still up year-on-year, CHAIRMAN’S LETTER CONTINUED

Whilst I was not a party to the creation of the policy, I believe it would 
have been imprudent of the Company to pay a dividend in recent 
years (despite meeting its criteria). As it is written, it is a policy that 
is simplistic to say the least and more so in the more complicated 
environment of today’s Sylvania. 

The policy is out-moded in its reference to a base-level of cash 
holdings and to ‘earnings’ – a figure, which in these days of IFRS 
rules, can be quite out of step with the underlying financial Company 
performance and its cashflow.

At our most recent Board meeting feelings ran higher than usual 
when the dividend matter was debated. With a strong operational 
performance in FY2018 one might expect a dividend payment would 
be an easy decision. However, the price of Platinum and Palladium 
has been volatile finishing the year at multi-year lows and minor 
metal, Rhodium’s, stellar performance has saved the financial day for 
the Company. 

Your Company has a large working capital requirement as we  
only get paid for the metals ‘mined’ today after about four months. 
Our production is nearly double that of FY2013, with a concomitant 
increase in working capital needs. During the time in process, the 
Company remains affected by the gyrations in both prices and 
exchange rate. The bills to operate and our large capital commitment 
to Project Echo must be paid. Our FY2019 capex is estimated at 
ZAR144.0 million. The taxman has to be paid and he enjoyed a  
$4.1 million ‘dividend’ this last year. More will go his way in FY2019.

The acquisition of Lesedi was paid for out of cash reserves with no 
recourse to bank debt or other funding structures. A key attraction of 
the deal to the seller was our capacity to quickly close as there was no 
need to arrange bridging or long-term funding solutions.

In addition to the Share Buyback Programme discussed above, 
our other ad-hoc buybacks over recent times, including buying in 
employee shares options on vesting, has enabled the Company to 
reduce the shares in issue. In the absence of buybacks, the Company 
would have in the region of 315 million shares on issue which includes 
the 15 million options. The current figure is around 286 million. This 
amounts to a nine percent reduction in shares in issue. This has been 
accomplished at reasonable cost.

Much of the above good news might have been negated by a slavish 
following of the 2013 dividend policy. 

In light of the above, your Board has decided to re-write the policy 
and this will be released in due course. It will encompass the 
following considerations: 

•   Liquidity and forecast cash requirements of the business: 

the four-month working capital cycle which needs to be provided 
for and translates into a figure of around $12.0 million at today’s 
production rates, prices, exchange rate and which prudently be 
retained in the business on an on-going basis;

•   Debt: some negative covenants that restrict the payment of 

dividends in the event the Company secures external funding are 

usual with such finance. In recent years we have redeemed just 
about all forms of indebtedness including the near ZAR70.0 million 
in pipeline finance (from our smelter / refiner). In drawing pipeline 
finance, we could report a higher cash balance and that would have 
triggered a dividend under the old policy, but pipeline finance gets 
repaid on final settlement and such a practice amounts to nothing 
more than smoke and mirrors;

•   Capital Expenditure Initiatives: the Company has most recently 
embarked on Project Echo, a new capex initiative to significantly 
extend the life of the SDO and cash requirements such as this must 
take priority;

•   Legal Considerations: Bermudan law permits a company to 

declare or pay a dividend, subject to complying with the tests set 
out in their Companies Act which provide that a company may 
not declare or pay a dividend if there are reasonable grounds for 
believing that:

  •   the company is, or would after the payment, be unable to pay its 

liabilities as they become due; or

  •   the realisable value of the company’s assets would thereby be less 

than its liabilities;

•   Sustainability: once Sylvania is on the proverbial ‘dividend 

treadmill’ it has every intention to remain there. There are several 
examples of resource companies reducing or halting dividend 
payments to the detriment of their share prices; and

•   Metal prices and Rand / Dollar Exchange Rate: fluctuations in 
prices can have major impact on the Company’s results, especially 
with lengthy payment terms. Cognisance must therefore be taken 
of current and anticipated prices. A cash buffer needs to be kept in 
the event of a large fall in prices in a short period (note Q4 FY2018) 
and in the event that pipeline finance has to be repaid.

So, given the above I am pleased to announce the Board’s 
recommendation of payment of a maiden cash dividend of 
0.35 pence per share, following shareholder approval at the 
forthcoming AGM to be held on 23 November 2018. Your 
Company will keep you apprised of the details in this regard.

OPERATIONS

Mining Platinum in the current climate is immensely challenging and 
taxing on shareholders. We therefore remain focused primarily on 
the retreatment of tailings. Sylvania’s strength is in its positioning as a 
low-cost producer. 

Project Echo is proceeding well with the Millsell and Doornbosch 
MF2 modules commissioned during the year. While commissioning 
of Millsell did not proceed as planned, it is on track to deliver as 
promised. As mentioned in our quarterly reports, Tweefontein 
was deferred due to power issues, which we may have to endure 
for longer than previously anticipated. As a result, the roll-out of 
Mooinooi is being fast-tracked and your Board is examining the 
opportunity to place MF2 at Lesedi.

12

Sylvania PlatinumThe past financial 
year ended with 
the Platinum price 
the same as it was 
after the 2008 
financial crisis.”

Lesedi’s integration into the Company has been relatively smooth with 
the plant producing the highest number of ounces ever achieved in 
December 2017. The synergies we recognised are proving their worth, 
and our operating and technical expertise has prevailed. 

We plan to move the redundant chrome separation plant from 
Steelpoort to Lesedi to allow for higher chrome feed into the plant –  
a low-cost, innovative solution that will also enable chrome removal. In 
addition, Sylvania’s own resources will be combined with those that came 
with the Lesedi transaction, thereby further boosting PGM output. 

Exploration activities on the Northern Limb, and at Grasvally and 
Volspruit, remain much the same as last year. A major consideration 
in the development of Grasvally is the extremely volatile chrome 
ore market, which made it difficult to specify a suitable price for the 
project. However, completion of the first phase of the bulk sample has 
reaped rewards. Once we deliver a fully indicated resource, a final sale 
process will be reviewed. 

With regard to exploration activities, it is inconceivable that we will 
be able to develop these assets at the current Platinum price below 
$800/ounce. But that does not mean there is no inherent value – we 
see potential in what has been spent and what is in the ground. As 
with Grasvally, these opportunities are reviewed continuously.

MARKET OUTLOOK

The past financial year ended with the Platinum price the same as 
it was after the 2008 financial crisis, and we don’t expect this to 
improve while supply continues to exceed fundamental demand.  
This vindicates our decision to venture cautiously in pursuit of 
further exploration opportunities.

We continue to uphold our strategy to keep costs at sensible levels 
and not spend capital unnecessarily in order to grow and thus ride the 
wave of South African inflation. Continuous metallurgical innovation 
at our plants demonstrates our willingness to embrace improvements 
in technology, which in turn improves recovery and helps reduce unit 
costs against aggressive on-mine inflation. Our decision to curtail 
exploration and defend licensing at the lowest possible cost – in the 
hope that one day our assets will show greater value – is another 
enabling factor. 

We remain extremely concerned about the Platinum price but our 
revenues have increased despite production ounces remaining static 
year-on-year, due to higher Rhodium and Palladium prices, influencing 
our gross basket price. We remain debt-free with a positive cash 
balance. We continue to focus on cash generation net of capital 
expenditure, and will only expand if we have positive cash growth –  
a challenge your Board has set for our Management team.

FUTURE PLANS

As we expect a further increase in production when we realise the 
full-year benefits of Lesedi, the parts of Project Echo that are due to 
be completed alongside ongoing metallurgical efficiency improvements 
in the plants, your Board has set our production guidance at 76,000 
to 78,000 ounces in FY2019. We anticipate a 6% to 10% increase 
in output in the coming financial year due to the further roll-out of 
Project Echo.

We will continue to keep our management team on their toes 
and maintain costs as low as possible in light of the poorly state of 
Platinum. At this stage, I do not foresee a recovery going forward as 
there is too much noise about diesel/petrol substitutions as well as 
battery and/or electric vehicles – not to mention plans for ongoing 
expansion by capacity hooligans in South Africa and Zimbabwe 
destroying market fundamentals and, as a result, ensuring the  
US Dollar Platinum price remains low. 

The ZAR basket will also remain anaemic, I predict, although the 
majors are trying to stanch the haemorrhage with grandiose plans 
that do no more than distract shareholders while investor appetite 
continues to wane.

Nevertheless, our shareholders can expect an improvement in output 
while we endeavour to keep costs flat in nominal terms. We anticipate 
a modest improvement in our net profit position despite the fact 
that capital expenditure will be in its peak year due to Project Echo, 
metallurgical improvements and the retrofit at Lesedi. 

THANKS

I thank our management team, employees, our host mine and our 
shareholders as we move forward confidently into the unchartered 
territory presented by the coming year. Without all of you, and 
Rhodium (for its positive effect on vehicle emissions) in our basket, 
our endeavours would amount to nought.

Stuart Murray
Chairman

13

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
CEO’S REVIEW

Sylvania Platinum began treating 

tailings dumps and current 

arisings on the property of our 

host mine some 10 years ago. 

The intention at the time was to develop 
a five-year project which would peak at 
70,000 ounces per year and then taper off 
rapidly once the dumps were depleted. The 
project was, at that stage, planned at a PGM 
basket price of ~$2,000/ounce with costs 
estimated at just over $300/ounce. The 
Company was going to prosper! Who would 
have believed that there would be only one 
or two years of glory before the Platinum 
price plummeted to under $800/ounce  
in 2008.

The Company’s plan to high-grade the dump 
resources over the span of a few years had 
to be urgently re-thought out, taking into 
consideration the business model evolving 
with the impact of the increasing prices in 
mind. To extend the life of the operations, 
the Company made sure that it optimised 
the extraction of PGM ounces from the then 
limited reserves that it had a contractual 
right to in order to repay the capital invested 
in operations.

All credit to the management team who 
then resourcefully set about re-thinking the 
business model fundamentals and re-planned 
production with innovative engineering 
and metallurgical technology that improved 
recovery and thereby extended the life of 
the business. Also fortuitously, while the 
platinum price was going down the chrome 
market on the back of stainless steel, 
demand was growing rapidly. This in turn 
gave Sylvania access to increased current 
arisings from our host mines. The fresh, 

Terry McConnachie 
Chief Executive Officer

un-oxidised, current arisings were then 
and still are forecast to continue for many 
years to come, transforming the business 
from a short term business to a longer life 
sustainable business model. 

The Board and management realised that 
capital control that resulted in a good 
return on capital employed was essential 
to the business. The strategy was to 
contain costs and work towards being the 
lowest cost producer in the world with 
a carefully planned and executed capital 
spend. Today your Board are proud to see 
that independent financial institutions are 
consistently rating Sylvania as the lowest 
cost producer of PGMs in the world.

The Company has developed and 
implemented new technology that has 
enabled it to retreat the dumps more 
than once, indeed a few times over, 
thereby extracting a high percentage of 
the recoverable PGMs. Over the last few 
years other cost saving initiatives such as 
hydro mining the dumps, fine grinding and 
magnetic chrome separation have helped 
contain and, in some instances, reduce 
costs. It’s rewarding to see that after five 
consecutive years of record production 
Sylvania’s safety record remains impeccable 
and half of the operations each recorded in 
excess of five years of injury free operations.

Disciplined capital spending, innovative 
metallurgical improvements and revised 
concentrate off-take agreements have all 
contributed to a positive margin being 
generated year-after-year. The SDO 
business has been profitable for the last few 
years and this has created a relatively strong 
balance sheet where there is no bank debt, 
no pipeline finance and a decent amount of 
cash in the bank. 

14

This is the fifth 
consecutive year of 
record production at 
the SDO plants.”

The Company has two years of build left on 
Project Echo upgrades and hopefully, once 
this is completed, should have a sustainable 
business going forward with limited new 
capital requirements. This in turn should 
continue to support the ongoing share 
buybacks currently undertaken over the last 
few years as well as the intention of paying 
sustainable dividends.

The 2018 operational, financial and corporate 
results can be summarised as follows:

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

The SDO delivered 71,026 ounces in 
the 2018 financial year, including record 
monthly production of 7,400 ounces in  
June 2018 and a record quarterly 
production of 20,278 ounces in the fourth 
quarter. This is the fifth consecutive year of 
record production at the SDO plants.

A 6% year-on-year improvement in PGM 
tons treated helped to mitigate the impact 
of an 11% lower PGM feed grade and a 3% 
decrease in recovery efficiency, associated 
with a delay in authorisation of the water 
use licence at the Millsell operation. Post 
the approval of the water licence in January 
2018 the tailings dam at Millsell has been 
operating well, and feed grades have 
returned to planned levels.

The planned closure of the Steelpoort plant 
in June 2017 had a further impact on PGM 
production. Fortunately, this was mitigated 
by the timely acquisition of Lesedi (formerly 
Phoenix Platinum Mining) for the cash 
purchase price of ZAR89.0 million  
($6.3 million), which was funded internally. 

Management’s 2018 business plan accurately 
accounted for normalised PGM feed tons 
and grades, and the steady improvement 

Sylvania Platinum 
in the production trend from the third quarter is testament to these 
improvements. The business plan also correctly predicted a dip in 
SDO production owing to the planned closure of Steelpoort and the 
December/January holiday shutdown however, the continued delay 
in approval for the Millsell tailings dam alternative lining and lower-
than-anticipated current arisings for a short period were outside of 
management’s control.

The SDO cash cost increased by 20% in South African Rand terms  
(the functional currency) from ZAR5,802/ounce to ZAR6,969/ounce 
while the US dollar cash cost increased by 27% year-on-year to  
$543/ounce against $426/ounce in FY2017. The cost increases were 
largely due to one off costs associated with ensuring the Lesedi 
operation’s profitability and the delayed commissioning of the tailings 
dam at Millsell.

The opportunities presented by production challenges were realised 
by cost optimisation initiatives and PGM recovery at the Lesedi 
operation, and by implementing proprietary processing modifications 
at Millsell, Doornbosch and Tweefontein. 

As highlighted in the half-year report, delays in the roll-out of the 
Project Echo MF2 at Tweefontein, due to power constraints, were 
counteracted by fast-tracking the module at Mooinooi. Commissioning 
at Mooinooi is planned for early 2019 while construction at 
Tweefontein is expected to begin in mid-2019, depending on 
completion of an infrastructure upgrade by the national power utility. 

Relocation of our redundant Steelpoort chrome circuit to Lesedi was 
also identified as an opportunity to improve chrome removal ahead 
of flotation, which will enable higher PGM feed, analogous to the 
standard Sylvania SDO operating model. 

LESEDI

The acquisition of Lesedi, finalised during the period under review 
and funded internally, culminated in the take-over of operations in 
November 2017 for the cash purchase price of ZAR89.0 million  
($6.3 million). 

The plant proved its value in the first month of production by 
operating profitably. Several initiatives and synergies identified and 
implemented by management have realised cost and production 
efficiencies. The primary focus, as with all operations, is on increasing 
plant production volumes, and improving plant feed stability, feed 
grade and recovery efficiency to boost PGM ounce production. 
Management is also implementing action plans to reduce overall 
production costs. It is the Board’s intention to implement an MF2 
upgrade at Lesedi. 

We have also acquired the redundant chrome retreatment plant 
previously owned by the RK1 Consortium of which Sylvania was a  
25% partner, for ZAR6.5 million. Our team is presently in the process 
of dismantling the plant for relocation to Lesedi. 

 HEALTH, SAFETY AND 
ENVIRONMENT

The Company continues to drive high safety standards and 
a safety culture at all operations. The combined efforts of 
management and employees have resulted in no significant 
health or environmental incidents during the year. Our 
newly acquired Lesedi operation achieved seven years 
lost time injury (LTI)-free during the final quarter of the 
financial year while Tweefontein and Doornbosch remain 
LTI-free for six years. Lannex and Millsell have remained 
LTI-free for more than three years. Mooinooi unfortunately 
suffered one finger-related LTI during the period. 

15

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
CEO’S REVIEW CONTINUED

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The Company remains debt-free with a cash balance of  
$14.0 million, allowing for the continued funding of Project Echo. 

A large portion of Group cash is currently held in ZAR and 
invested in short-term money market deposits. 

The average USD:ZAR exchange rate was ZAR12.82:$1 against 
the ZAR13.61:$1 recorded in the previous period, and the spot 
was ZAR13.75:$1 at 30 June 2018.

Cash generated from operations before working capital 
movements was $22.9 million with net changes in working 
capital resulting in a reduction of $4.5 million. Net finance 
income amounted to $0.8 million and $4.1 million was paid in 
income taxes during the year. 

Major spend items included the purchase of Lesedi for  
$6.3 million, $0.4 million on exploration activities (FY2017:  
$0.7 million), $7.6 million on capital projects and stay-in-
business capital for the SDO plants (FY2017: $3.5 million). 

At corporate level, $1.4 million was paid to non-UK 
shareholders in terms of the Share Buyback Programme and 
other strategic buybacks (FY2017: $0.6 million). A total of  
$0.2 million was spent on rehabilitation insurance guarantees 
and receipt of the outstanding loan to Ironveld Holdings (Pty) 
Ltd, which resulted in an inflow of $1.2 million. 

The impact of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held at year 
end was a $1.1 million loss (FY2017: $1.0 million gain).

Revenue on sales (4E) increased by 11% in dollar terms to  
$52.3 million year-on-year. Revenue from by-products 
increased significantly to $5.5 million (R70.8 million) and net 
revenue increased by 24% and 17% respectively in dollar and 
rand terms to $62.8 million and ZAR804.9 million.

The average gross basket price for PGMs for the financial  
year was $1,135/ounce – a 21% increase on the prior year’s 
$935/ounce. 

Although the Platinum and Palladium prices fell sharply in the 
second half of the year, the SDO PGM basket was such that the 
Company benefited from the higher Rhodium price, which is 
carried through to the basket price. 

Group cash cost increased by 25% year-on-year from  
$453/ounce (ZAR6,166/ounce) to $567/ounce (ZAR7,274/ounce) 
as Steelpoort, among the lowest cash cost per ounce plants in 
the SDO, came to the end of its life.

The Lesedi plant was acquired to fill the ounce gap although 
this plant has a much higher operating cost per ounce. Sylvania 
identified a number of cost-saving strategies and is making 
steady progress in this regard. 

16

Sylvania PlatinumAll-in sustaining costs (AISC) increased by 28% to $565/ounce 
(ZAR7,245/ounce) from $442/ounce (ZAR6,020/ounce) and All-in 
costs (AIC) of 4E increased by 33% to $655/ounce (ZAR8,406/ounce) 
from $494/ounce (ZAR6,723/ounce) recorded in the previous period. 
The AISC and AIC were impacted by the planned increase in capital 
spend, which is expected to improve once the teething problems at 
Millsell and Lesedi have been resolved.

For more details on the financial performance of the Group, please 
refer to the Directors’ Report and the accompanying consolidated 
annual financial statements.

EXPLORATION AND OPENCAST  
MINING PROJECTS

The Company has, for the most part, not pursued exploration 
interests during the financial year due mostly to unfavourable market 
conditions. It has, however, maintained value in a way that continues 
to be in shareholders’ interests.

VOLSPRUIT PLATINUM EXPLORATION

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has not communicated 
any progress in the appeal lodged in June 2017 by interested and 
affected parties against the decision to grant a mining right application 
to the Company. The Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for 
Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has also not 
communicated any further response about the appeal against the 
decision to refuse the Company’s application for an environmental 
authorisation. The Company’s environmental consultants are following 
up regularly on this outstanding matter.

As reported previously, once a decision is received on these appeals, 
the Company will proceed with the water use licence application for 
which the majority of the necessary work has been completed. Only 
the detail design of civil infrastructure, as required by the National 
Water Act No 36 of 1998, is outstanding.

GRASVALLY CHROME EXPLORATION

No further work has been done on Phase 1 of the Grasvally Bulk 
Sample apart from that reported in the half-year report published 
in February 2018. The Company will continue to keep shareholders 
apprised of any developments as they occur.

The Company was pleased to receive word that the mining right for 
the project had been granted just before the close of the reporting 
period. Execution of the right has been submitted and will be 
registered in the Mining Titles Office in due course.

NORTHERN LIMB PROJECTS

Consent was received, in terms of Section 11 of the Mineral and 
Petroleum Resources Development Act, to cede the rights to mine 
heavy minerals, iron ore and vanadium ore on the farms Nonnenworth, 
La Pucella and Altona to Lapon Mining (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Ironveld 
plc. Sylvania became a party to this agreement in March 2012 with the 
acquisition of Mercury Recycling Group plc (now Ironveld plc) by the 
Ironveld Group. In terms of this transaction, dividends in specie were 
distributed to Sylvania shareholders in August 2012. 

CORPORATE ACTIVITIES

EXERCISE OF SHARE OPTIONS, SHARE BUYBACKS 
AND CANCELLATION OF SHARES

The Company is intent on returning capital to shareholders and 
continue to review opportunities to do so as and when they arise. 
Such opportunities presented themselves, during the first half of the 
financial year, when the Company bought back shares in the market, 
and announced details of its Share Buyback Programme.

During the year, the Company purchased 3,333,011 ordinary 
US$0.01 shares, which were immediately cancelled in October 2017. 
Directors and senior management exercised vested options and 
bonus share awards, converting to 4,602,900 ordinary $0.01 shares, 
with 3,517,250 issued out of Treasury net of the 2,507,750 buy backs 
for mostly tax purposes. The Board took the decision in November 
2017 to cancel the Company’s Share Option Plan. 

A further 280,000 ordinary shares of US$0.01 each were bought back 
from certain employees, exercising vested bonus shares in June 2018, 
at the 30-day VWAP price of 17.49 pence per ordinary share and 
placed back into treasury.

As at 30 June 2018, shares bought back in terms of the  
Share Buyback Programme announced in August 2017 totalled 
2,281,570 ordinary $0.01 shares at a price of A$0.1619 per ordinary 
share and total expenditure of A$369,386. Upon expiry of the 
Share Buyback Programme, announced as 24 August 2018, a total 
of 2,397,481 shares had been purchased in accordance with this 
Programme at a total expenditure of A$388,152 and placed into 
treasury to be subsequently cancelled.

THANK YOU AND OUTLOOK

As advised by your Chairman, I am pleased to confirm that the 
Board has recommended that a maiden cash dividend of 0.35 pence 
per share be paid following shareholder approval at the AGM in 
November 2018.

Notwithstanding the small increase in costs per ounce over the past 
financial year and, as mentioned earlier in my review, Sylvania is still 
independently regarded as the lowest cost PGM producer in the 
world. For this, I must thank management and the Operations teams 
for keeping their heads above water when conditions were beyond 
their control – and for showing ingenuity and resilience in their ability 
to adjust plans and make opportunistic decisions that resulted in a 
solid performance.

I look forward to what FY2019 has in store, and to achieving our 
stated guidance of 76,000 to 78,000 ounces.

Terry McConnachie 
Chief Executive Officer

17

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
 
 
 
SUSTAINABILITY

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

At Sylvania, the Board is committed to regular 

stakeholder engagement, and considers 

communication and interaction with all of our 

stakeholders as a means to identify shortcomings 

and implement strategies that address any issues 

should they arise. 

Our stakeholder engagement is presented in quarterly reports in 
the month following the quarter end, an interim report at the end of 
the first half of the financial year including the half year consolidated 
financial statements, as well as an annual report including the full 
year financial statements. As and when management and the Board 
considers it material, information is announced to the public as 
soon as reasonably possible after a decision has been mandated in 
terms of the requirements of AIM. The Board also conducts investor 
roadshows following the release of the half year and annual results. 
All of the presentations, announcements and reports are placed on 
the Company’s website (www.sylvaniaplatinum.com) where they are 
available to the public at any time. Whenever possible, shareholders’ 
queries are addressed via email although replies are limited by the 
availability of information that has already been shared with the public. 
In these communiqués, we stress that information will be released to 
the public as soon as it has been deemed significant and shareholders 
are advised accordingly.

Monthly meetings with employees and Plant management are 
conducted around work related issues and addressed according to 
Company mandates. Monthly and quarterly meetings are held with 
local communities on matters surrounding unemployment, business 
opportunities, training and education, and the Company actively 
assists where the opportunity allows.

incidents during the year. The Lesedi operation achieved seven 
years LTI-free during the final quarter of the financial year with the 
Tweefontein and Doornbosch operations remaining LTI-free for 
six years. Lannex and Millsell have remained LTI-free for more than 
three years. Unfortunately, Mooinooi suffered a hand-related LTI 
during the period.

Key priority for the Company is health, safety and environmental 
compliance. As such, management and all employees across the 
operations will continue to work hard at upholding the high safety 
standards and plant conditions we have come to expect of the 
Company at the respective operations.

EMPLOYEES

The Company currently employs 470 people throughout the 
organisation (FY2017: 438). Wherever possible, employees and 
contractors are sourced from local communities of the various 
operations. Sylvania actively supports the Employment Equity Act 
No 55 of 1998, and has established structures to ensure all barriers 
to achieving diversity are identified and actions are in place to 
combat these. The Company furthermore has negotiated recognition 
agreements with organised labour, which regulate the industrial 
relationship, including consultation and negotiation. No strikes or 
lockouts occurred during the financial year.

Skills training and development accredited by the Mining Qualifications 
Authority (MQA) has been introduced for all processing staff. 
Over the financial year, 179 employees attended training. Selected 
individuals from the operations underwent metallurgical training on 
operational modules, which allowed them to obtain an accredited 
training qualification. 

ENVIRONMENT

As the SDO operate within the environmental footprint of our host 
mine, we adhere to the culture and standards of their policies and 
practices at all times.

SAFETY AND HEALTH

The Company has continued to implement its high safety standards 
at all of the operations. Due to a combined effort by management 
and employees, there were no significant health or environmental 

In the past financial year, there have been no reportable environmental 
incidents, which is testament to the work ethos of the teams at the 
operations. The Company generates minimal hazardous waste due to 
the nature of the processing of the tailings. Waste removal is conducted 

18

Sylvania Platinumby a contractor with the necessary permits to remove and transport 
hazardous waste to a designated landfill site.

All Sylvania plants form part of the integrated water reticulation 
circuits of their respective host mines. The figures listed below do not 
take any water consumption by the host mine into account. Water 
enters the Sylvania circuit through the current arisings it receives from 
the host mine and it leaves the circuit either through its products 
(Cr2O3 concentrate or PGM concentrate) – where it is lost to the 
process (consumed) – or through the tailings stream. Tailings are 
deposited onto a tailings dam where most water is recovered into 
the return water dam and recirculated to the host mine process. 
Losses on the tailings dams take the form of evaporation into the 
atmosphere. Make-up water is derived from dewatering of the host 
mine’s underground mining areas.

TOTAL VOLUME OF WATER* (m3)

FY 2018

 FY 2017

Water consumed in products

72,060

 76,100

Water deposited onto tailings dams

11,807,000

 9,749,900

* All Sylvania plants (inclusive of Lesedi as of November 2017) 

The reduction in water consumed is attributable to the 
decommissioning of the Steelpoort Plant and the relocation of the 
filter located there to Tweefontein. As a result, filtered concentrate, 
as opposed to slurry, was dispatched. The increase in water deposited 
indicates a slight increase year-on-year due to the increased 
production tonnage.

During the year, our electrical teams continued to endeavour to 
streamline the power supply process in the interests of the operations 
and the environment. Presently, only energy efficient lighting is being 
installed across all plants and, wherever possible, premium efficiency 
motors are installed to reduce the overall power consumed. With the 
decommissioning of the Steelpoort Plant, equipment has been partially 
relocated and, as such, power consumed at this plant is for lighting and 
maintenance purposes only.

would normally draw an additional 560kW, reflects as an increase  
of only 110kVA. New dedicated power supply has also been installed 
to improve reliability with the municipal overhead line used for 
backup purposes. At Mooinooi, the installation of the new mill  
and associated equipment has resulted in a 160kW power draw 
increase. With the construction of the new MF2 module currently 
underway, PFC equipment capacity will be increased to cope with 
greater demand.

Tweefontein together with Lannex co-generate electricity together 
with the national power utility although the existing PFC equipment 
at Lannex cannot be in circuit while the machines are running. A new 
overhead powerline is under construction at Lannex with completion 
anticipated towards the end of 2018. Tweefontein has run consistently 
throughout the year.

Consumption by the Doornbosch Plant has increased by 
approximately 1,000kW due to the commissioning of the MF2 
module and the installation of the new mill. The infrastructure has 
also been upgraded to support the increased power requirement and 
the installation of PFC equipment is being investigated to reduce the 
overall energy consumption at this plant.

With the acquisition of Lesedi in November 2017, it was realised 
that the plant runs at an extremely low power factor, which is being 
addressed by management. PFC equipment will be installed in phases, 
coinciding with the installation of new plant equipment in future to 
enable more stable supply.

COMMUNITIES

As we operate in terms of our host mine’s licences, the Company 
regularly assists with local development projects approved by our host 
mine. In the past year, these included the following projects:

•   Supplied benches for seating to a newly constructed clinic

•   Supplied linen, blankets and towels to a care centre on Mandela Day

•   Assisted in levelling of ground on which a community centre  

was erected

•   Sponsored building materials

SYLVANIA METALS ENERGY CONSUMPTION

•   Ongoing sponsorship of a home-based care project encompassing 

The addition of the Project Echo MF2 module and the installation of 
power factor correction (PFC) equipment at the Millsell Plant, which 

a feeding scheme (providing and distributing food) for 
underprivileged children

AVERAGE POWER CONSUMPTION PER PLANT

Plant

Millsell

Mooinooi

Lannex

Doornbosch

Steelpoort

Tweefontein

Lesedi

FY2018

FY2017

Average 
kVA

Average 
kW

Power 
factor

Average 
kVA

Average 
kW

Power 
factor

1,870

2,750

1,640

2,690

44

1,820

1,160

1,850

2,710

1,250

2,100

16

1,480

840

19

0.99

0.98

0.76

0.78

0.36

0.81

0.72

1,760

2,700

1,230

1,140

780

1,710

–

1,290

2,550

1,050

1,050

730

1,480

–

0.73

0.94

0.85

0.92

0.94

0.87

–

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA20

Sylvania Platinum

WE VALUEGOVERNANCE

Directors’ report

Corporate governance statement

22

30

THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS  
OF PEOPLE

WE TREAT ALL PEOPLE WITH 
DIGNITY AND RESPECT

21

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIADIRECTORS’ REPORT

DIRECTORS

The names of the directors who held office during, or since the end of, 

the financial year and until the date of this report, are as follows: 

SA MURRAY

Special responsibilities:
Independent Non-executive Chairman  

of the Board

Member of the Remuneration Committee 

TM MCCONNACHIE

Special responsibilities:
Chief Executive Officer

RA WILLIAMS 

Special responsibilities:
Chairman of the Audit and  

Remuneration Committees

E CARR

Special responsibilities:
Member of the Audit Committee

The directors of Sylvania were in office from 1 July 2017 unless otherwise stated.

SA MURRAY

Mr Murray has over 25 years of executive 
experience in the Southern African Platinum 
sector, commencing his career at Impala 
Platinum’s Refineries in 1984. He held a 
number of positions at Impala Platinum, 
Rhodium Reefs Limited, Barplats, and 
Middelburg Steel and Alloys, before joining 
Aquarius Platinum Limited in 2001 as Chief 
Executive Officer, holding that position until 
2012. He is a non-executive director of 
Talvivaara Mining Company Plc, the former 
Finnish nickel miner, and Deputy Chairman 
and Managing Director of Luiri Gold Limited.

TM MCCONNACHIE

Mr McConnachie has over 40 years of 
experience in mining and beneficiation of 
ferroalloys and precious metals. He was 
the founder of Merafe Resources Limited 

(formerly South African Chrome & Alloys 
Limited), a successful chrome mining 
company, black empowered and listed on 
the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).  
Mr McConnachie’s strength lies in his ability 
to identify mining opportunities and has 
started many new green-field operations in 
gold, manganese, aluminium, graphite and 
tantalite. He has been CEO of a number 
of mining, mining services and smelting 
companies in South Africa.

RA WILLIAMS

Mr Williams is a Chartered Accountant 
with over 20 years’ international 
experience in mining finance and holds an 
honours degree in French and Spanish. 
After joining Randgold Resources in 1997, 
he was appointed Group Finance Director 
in 2002. Mr Williams went on to become 
Chief Financial Officer of JSE-listed AECI 

Limited. He has served on a number of 
boards in the mining and mining services 
sectors and is currently a non-executive 
director of Cradle Arc Plc, AfriTin Mining 
Limited and Digby Wells Environmental.

E CARR

Ms Carr is a Chartered Certified Accountant 
with an MSc in Management from London 
University and is a SLOAN fellow of London 
Business School. Ms Carr has over 25 years 
of experience within the resources sector. 
She was appointed Finance Director of Cluff 
Resources in 1993 and has, since that time, 
held several executive directorships in the 
resource sector. Her first non-executive 
role was for Banro Corp in 1998 and more 
recently was a non-executive director for 
Talvivaara Mining Company Plc, the former 
Finnish nickel miner. Ms Carr is also a non-
executive director of Bacanora Lithium Plc.

22

Sylvania PlatinumInformation on
Directors

Your directors present their report on the consolidated 

entity (the Group) consisting of Sylvania Platinum Limited (the 

Company or Sylvania) and the entities it controlled at the end 

of, or during, the financial year ended 30 June 2018. Sylvania 

is a limited company incorporated and domiciled in Bermuda. 

Unless otherwise stated, the consolidated financial information 

contained in this report is presented in USD.

DIVERSITY OF THE BOARD

Board by gender

Senior managers by gender

Male 

Female 

3

1

Male 

Female 

3

1

COMPANY SECRETARY

The Company Secretary role is held by Conyers Corporate Services 
(Bermuda) Limited and they are assisted by Ms Carr.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activity of the Group is the low cost extraction 
of PGMs from chrome dumps and current arisings, as well as 
investment in mineral exploration. Further information is provided 
in the CEO’s review.

23

SENIOR 
MANAGEMENT

J PRINSLOO 

Special responsibilities:

Managing Director Sylvania Metals  

(Pty) Limited

L CARMINATI 

Special responsibilities:

Executive Officer: Finance

A JORDAAN

Special responsibilities:

Executive Officer: New Business

A DE VOS

Special responsibilities:

Legal and commercial adviser

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIADIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

BUSINESS REVIEW

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Sylvania is subject to a variety of risks, with specific focus on 
those relating to the mining and exploration industry. Senior 
management, guided by the CEO, undertakes on-going risk 
assessments to identify and consider major internal and external 
risks to the business model of the Group. Risks identified are 
linked to the Group deliverables in order to ensure continuous 

mitigation of these risks, which is aligned with corporate objectives. 

Outlined below is a description of the 
principal risk factors that the Board 
feel may affect performance. The risks 
detailed below are not exhaustive and 
do not consider risks the Board are 
unaware of. Risks considered to be 
immaterial are not detailed below. 

The risks are not presented in any 
order of priority.

Commodity price and exchange 
rate fluctuations

  Risk and impact:

Commodity prices are subject to high levels 
of volatility and are impacted by numerous 
factors that are outside of the control of the 
Group. Cash generation and profitability of 
Sylvania is linked to the PGM price and the 
USD/ZAR exchange rate. A consistently low 
PGM basket price or prolonged decline in the 
PGM price may affect the ability of the Group 
to fund future growth. The Group’s ability 
to raise sufficient capital, through debt or 
equity, for further exploration, investment or 
development is limited. The Group reports in 
and generates revenues in USD, however the 
operational costs are incurred in ZAR.

  Mitigation:

The Board and management constantly 
monitor the market in which the Group 
operates. Long term financial planning is 
undertaken on a regular basis and production 
is focussed on the extraction of low cost 
ounces. Any capital expansion projects are 
funded out of surplus cash and/or available 
pipeline finance. Any major development 
capital for the exploration projects remains 
on hold until the market improves significantly 
and/or mining rights are obtained and will be 
reassessed by the Board on an on-going basis. 
Operational costs are carefully monitored 
and managed. Cost saving strategies are 
investigated and reviewed regularly.

Sustained Resources

Capital management

  Risk and impact:

  Risk and impact:

It is essential that the selection of projects 
on which to spend the limited capital that 
is available, must provide investors with the 
required returns and strategic outcomes. 
Incorrect decision making and large capital 
overruns could have a significant impact on 
the sustainability of the Group. 

  Mitigation:

Detailed analysis and due diligence is 
performed on all potential capital projects 
and are only considered where the Internal 
Rate of Return (IRR) is at least 20%.

The retreatment of dump material has a 
finite life and it is essential for the long-term 
continuation of the SDO that additional 
feed material is found and committed to 
the plants. 

  Mitigation:

The majority of operations have dump 
resources which will provide several years 
of production. The risk is further mitigated 
by the current arisings from the host mines 
which are fed through the SDO. These feed 
sources will be available to the Group for the 
life of the mine and are currently not at risk. 
The new expansion project (Project Echo) is 
underway and is expected to extend the life 
of the SDO and maintain ounce production. 
Technologies and production improvements 
for optimisation and improved efficiencies 
are investigated and implemented where 
considered beneficial.

Opportunities to acquire additional resources 
and the ability to expand the life of the SDO 
are continually being investigated by the 
Board and senior management. 

24

Sylvania PlatinumCyber security

  Risk and impact:

Cyber threats are growing rapidly 
everywhere. These range from business 
interruptions, data breaches to cyber fraud 
and ransomware. A cyber incident could be 
malicious or unintentional.

  Mitigation:

Management and the Board are committed 
to understanding and managing cyber 
risk. Specific focus is placed on educating 
employees as to the risks. Physical security 
measures are taken as well as internal 
procedures put in place to mitigate this risk. 

Failure to attract and  
retain key staff

  Risk and impact:

The Group relies on a small team of 
experienced professionals for its success. 
The loss of key personnel and the failure to 
attract appropriate employees may cause 
disruption to the business. 

  Mitigation:

In order to reduce this risk, key employees 
have been given longer notice periods 
and bonus share awards are made at the 
discretion of the Board. Succession planning 
also features on the agenda at Board and 
Remuneration Committee meetings. 

Risks identified  
are linked to the  
Group deliverables 
in order to ensure 
continuous mitigation  
of these risks.”

Country Risk

  Risk and impact:

The Group’s operations are all in South 
Africa. The mining labour environment, 
socio-economic environment as well 
as community unrest in South Africa 
continues to be a concern for the sector 
in general. Reliance on 3rd party providers 
for the availability and access to power is 
also a limiting factor in the areas in which 
the Company operates. In addition, the 
regulatory, political and legal environment 
in which the Company operates poses 
risks and challenges to the sustainability of 
the mining industry in South Africa, and 
therefore impact the sustainability of the 
Company.

  Mitigation:

Directors and management place great 
emphasis on maintaining constructive 
relations with labour and communities 
through ongoing communication, 
engagement and awareness within the 
footprint of which the Group operates. 
Where power has been identified as a 
potential risk to plant uptime, the operations 
have installed alternate power sources. The 
Board monitors the political environment 
and regulatory changes closely, considers 
the impact on the Company and takes the 
necessary action when required. 

25

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIADIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

GROUP FINANCIAL RESULTS

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

Gross basket price

Revenue

Group cash cost

Group cash cost

Gross profit

General administration costs

Profit before income tax expense

Group EBITDA

Cash generated from operations (before working capital changes)

Changes in working capital

Net finance income received

Taxation paid

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Effect of movement in foreign exchange fluctuations on cash held
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

Production

Plant feed

Total 3E and Au

PGM plant recovery

Capital expenditure 

Property, plant and equipment 

Exploration and evaluation assets

Total capital expenditure

$/oz

$ 000

ZAR/oz

$/oz

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

T

Oz

%

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

2017 ± % change

2018

1,135

62,769

7,274

567

17,512

(2,036)

16,101

22,206

22,879

(4,536)

584

(4,055)

(230)

(1,074)

14,016

935

50,497

6,166

453

14,256

(1,981)

13,206

18,327

18,772

(3,054)

644

(4,218)

7,651

963

15,321

2,302,560

2,137,007

71,026

45

7,625

363

7,912

70,869

46

3,993

676

4,669

21%

24%

18%

25%

23%

3%

22%

21%

22%

49%

-9%

-4%

-103%

-189%

-9%

8%

0%

-3%

91%

-46%

69%

Revenue

Revenue increased 24% year-on-year mainly due to the higher gross 
basket price of $1,135/ounce against $935/ounce recorded in the 
prior year.

Profit

The consolidated profit before tax of the Group at 30 June 2018 was 
$16.1 million (FY2017: $13.2 million), a 22% improvement on the prior 
year. Strict cost controls at the operations and the increased revenue 
contributed to the increase in profits. Group EBITDA improved 21% 
to $22.2 million.

Operating costs

Operating costs for the Group increased 18% year-on-year to 
ZAR7,274/ounce compared to ZAR6,166/ounce in the previous year. 
Although the SDO produced slightly more ounces, the high operating 
costs of Lesedi pushed the cost per ounce higher than the prior year. 
Significant cost saving strategies have already been implemented and 

the effects of this should be seen in the early part of FY2019. The 

all-in sustaining cost (AISC) for the Group was ZAR7,245/ounce and 

an all-in cost (AIC) of ZAR8,406/ounce for the financial year, of which 

ZAR1,385/ounce is attributable to the capital expenditure on Project 

Echo and plant optimisation. This compares to the AISC and AIC for 

30 June 2017 of ZAR6,020/ounce and ZAR6,723/ounce respectively.

General and administration

General and administration costs are incurred in USD, GBP and ZAR 

and relate mainly to listing costs, share registry costs, advisory and 

public relations costs and consulting fees. These incurred a minor 

increase of 3% to $2.0 million from the $1.98 million recorded in the 

previous financial year.

Mining and income tax 

Income tax paid for the financial year amounted to ZAR61.7 million 

compared to ZAR59.0 million for the previous financial year, as a 

26

Sylvania Platinum 
result of increased taxable profits at the operations and after mining 
capital allowances. Income tax is paid in SA Rand on taxable profits 
generated at the South African operations. The balance of the tax 
expense relates to deferred tax movements.

Capital

Capital spend increased during the current financial year from 
ZAR57.2 million ($4.2 million) in the prior year to ZAR101.5 million 
($7.9 million). The Group capital expenditure increased significantly 
as a result of the first two Project Echo modules being completed 
and commissioned during the reporting period at a cost of  
ZAR53.4 million. The new Millsell tailings facility was also completed 
and commissioned during the reporting period (ZAR7.2 million). 
The redundant plant that was owned by the RK1 Consortium was 
acquired in June 2018 for ZAR6.5 million from the CTRP JV partners 
(ZAR5.0 million cash outflow from the Group), with the balance 
spent on PGM grade and recovery optimisation initiatives.

Cash

The cash balance at 30 June 2018 was $14.0 million, including  
$1.0 million in financial guarantees (FY2017: $15.3 million).  
Cash generated from operations before working capital movements 
was $22.9 million, with net changes in working capital resulting  
in a reduction of $4.5 million. Net finance income amounted to  
$0.8 million and $4.1 million was paid in income taxes during the  
year. Major spend items include the purchase of Phoenix Platinum 
Mining (Pty) Ltd (renamed Lesedi) for $6.3 million, $0.4 million  
spent on exploration activities (FY2017: $0.7 million), $7.6 million 
on capital projects and stay in business capital for the SDO plants 
(FY2017: $3.5 million). At a corporate level, $1.4 million was  
paid to non-UK shareholders under the Share Buyback Programme as 
well as other strategic buy backs in the market (FY2017: $0.6 million). 
$0.2 million was spent on the rehabilitation insurance guarantees 
and the outstanding loan to Ironveld Holdings (Pty) Ltd was settled 
during the year resulting in an inflow of $1.2 million. The impact of 
exchange rate fluctuations on cash held at year end was $1.0 million 
loss (FY2017: $1.0 million gain).

In November 2017, certain Directors and senior management 
exercised vested options, converting to 4,602,900 Ordinary  
$0.01 Shares, awarded to them under the Company’s Option Plan 
as well as the deferred share awards granted in accordance with the 
Bonus Shares Plan. Of these Shares exercised, the Company bought 
back 2,787,750 Shares from employees. Shares held in treasury 
were used to satisfy these awards. Surplus shares held in treasury 
amounting to 3,515,224 Ordinary Shares were also cancelled bringing 
the total number of shares cancelled during the reporting period to 
6,848,235. The Board also took the decision in November 2017 to 
cancel the Company’s Share Option Plan. 

A further 280,000 Ordinary Shares of US$0.01 each were bought back 
from certain employees exercising vested Bonus Shares in June 2018. 
These were purchased at the 30-day VWAP price of 17.49 pence per 
Ordinary Share and placed back into treasury.

As at 30 June 2018, shares bought back in terms of the  
Share Buyback Programme announced in August 2017, totalled 
2,281,570 Ordinary $0.01 Shares, at a price of A$0.1619 per 
Ordinary Share. Total cash paid out under the Share Buyback  
Programme amounted to A$369,386. Upon the expiry of  
the Programme, announced as 24 August 2018, a total of  
2,397,481 shares had been purchased in accordance with this 
Programme at a total expenditure of A$388,152 and placed into 
treasury to be subsequently cancelled.

Accordingly, at the end of the period the Company’s issued share 
capital was 291,133,661 Ordinary Shares, of which a total of 
4,853,231 Ordinary Shares were held in treasury. Therefore, the 
total number of Ordinary Shares with voting rights in Sylvania was 
286,280,430 Ordinary Shares.

Likely developments and expected results

Additional comments on production forecasts and operating cash 
costs are included in the operational performance and outlook section 
in the CEO’s review.

For more details on the financial performance of the Group 
please refer to the financial statements.

Environmental legislation

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND EXPLORATION

A detailed review of operations and exploration activities has been 
included in the CEO’s review. 

The Group is subject to significant environmental legal regulations 
in respect of its exploration and evaluation activities in South Africa. 
There have been no known significant breaches of these regulations 
and principles by the Group.

CORPORATE MATTERS

Meetings of directors

Exercise of Share Options, Share Buybacks and 
Cancellation of Shares

The Company is committed to returning value to shareholders and 
continues to review opportunities to do so as and when they arise.

During the year, the Company purchased 3,333,011 Ordinary 
US$0.01 Shares which were immediately cancelled in October 2017.  

During the financial year under review, there were three formal 
directors’ meetings, a budget review meeting and a strategy session. 
All other matters that required formal Board resolutions were dealt 
with via written circular resolutions and through the holding of 
conference calls. In addition, the directors met on an informal basis 
at regular intervals during the year to discuss the Group’s affairs and 
made an annual plant visit.

27

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIADIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

The number of formal meetings of the Group’s Board of directors attended by each director was:

Board Meetings

Audit Committee 
Meetings

Remuneration 
Committee Meetings

Number of 
meetings 
eligible to 
attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended

Number of 
meetings 
eligible to 
attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended

Number of 
meetings 
eligible to 
attend

Number of 
meetings 
attended

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

–

–

4

4

–

–

4

4

–

2

2

–

–

2

2

–

TM McConnachie

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

Directors’ interest in shares and options 

The following relevant interests in the shares and options of the Company or related body corporate were held by the directors as at the reporting date:

Shares and options

2018

TM McConnachie

SA Murray

RA Williams

Common 
Shares

5,015,000

1,000,000

1,067,000

Directors and key management personnel

The key management personnel of the Group are the directors of the Company and those executives that report directly to the Chief Executive 
Officer or as determined by the Board. Details of directors and key personnel remuneration is as follows:

Short Term Benefits

Cash 
salary/
Consulting 
fees
$

505,004

–

–

24,000
529,004

977,600
1,506,604

Bonus1
$

Directors’ 
fees
$

–

–

–

–
–

280,961
280,961

–

125,000

85,000

75,000
285,000

–
285,000

Share-
based 
payment

Equity 
shares/
share 
options2
$

1,630

–

652

–
2,282

74,320
76,602

Total

$

506,634

125,000

85,652

99,000

816,286

1,332,881

2,149,167

2018

Directors

TM McConnachie

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

Sub-total

Other key management 

1  Cash bonuses were awarded to directors and key personnel based on individual performance.
2   Share-based payments include share options and bonus shares granted – refer to note 21 

28

Sylvania Platinum 
 
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE OF 
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

During the year, the Company paid premiums in respect of a contract 
insuring all directors and officers of the Company against liabilities 
incurred as directors or officers. Due to confidentiality clauses in 
the contract the amount of the premium has not been disclosed. 
The Company has no insurance policy in place that indemnifies the 
Company’s auditors.

GOING CONCERN

Details of the financial and operating performance and cash flows of 
the Group are set out in the CEO’s review. In addition, the Group’s 
financial risk management objectives and policies are detailed in note 
22 and available borrowing facilities are set out in note 11. After 
reviewing the financial position, operational performance, budgets 
and forecasts as well as timing of cash flows and sensitivity analyses, 
the directors are satisfied that the Company and the Group have 
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. It is for this reason that the consolidated financial 
statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.

EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

There were no events that could have a material impact on the 
financial results of the Group after 30 June 2018. 

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF 
INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

The directors who were in office on the date of approval of these 
financial statements have confirmed, as far as they are aware, that 
there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are 
unaware. Each of the directors has confirmed that they have taken all 
the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make 
themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish 
that it has been communicated to the auditor.

The directors are 
satisfied that the 
Company and the 
Group have adequate 
resources to continue 
in operational 
existence for the 
foreseeable future.”

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

Terry McConnachie 
Chief Executive Officer

27 August 2018

29

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Company is quoted on AIM, and in accordance with the AIM 
Rules for Companies (the AIM Rules), has chosen to adopt the 
Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Corporate Governance Code 
2018 for Smaller Companies. In accordance with the AIM Rules 
this will be adopted and implemented from September 2018, and a 
summary will be available on the Company’s website from that date. 

The Company provides a summary of its current Corporate 
Governance Code compliance as guidance, as set out below: 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board’s role is to provide entrepreneurial leadership of the 
Group within a framework of prudent and effective controls which 
enables risk to be assessed and managed. The Board sets the 
corporate and operational strategy and holds regular Board meetings 
to review planning, operational and financial performance. The 
Board is responsible for setting the Group’s values and standards and 
ensuring that its obligations to shareholders and others are met.

The Board comprises four members being the independent non-
executive Chairman, two independent non-executive directors, 
and one executive director; the details of whom are outlined in 
the Directors’ report. There is a clear division of responsibilities at 
the head of the Group through the separation of the positions of 
Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer.

THE BOARD CURRENTLY COMPRISES:

SA Murray  

Independent Non-executive Chairman

TM McConnachie  

Chief Executive Officer

RA Williams  

Independent Non-executive Director

E Carr  

Independent Non-executive Director

The Board met five times during the financial year. Three formal 
Board meetings, one budget review meeting and one strategy 
meeting to review the current and future strategies to return value 
to the Shareholders.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The Board undertakes on-going risk assessment to identify and 
consider major internal and external risks to the business model of the 
Group, including future performance, solvency and liquidity. Principal 
risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Directors’ report.

The Board also reviews the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern on a regular basis.

30

Sylvania PlatinumINTERNAL CONTROLS

The effectiveness of the internal controls is overseen by the Board of 
directors and is operationally monitored by the management on various 
organisational levels. The Group’s financial control function is responsible 
for periodically testing the controls and overseeing the commitments 
entered into in connection with the operations of the Group.

The Group does not have a separate internal audit function to 
evaluate and test the operating procedures and processes relating 
to internal controls. The establishment of an internal audit function 
is considered by the Audit Committee and the Board of directors 
annually and is regularly discussed with the Group’s external auditors. 
The Board feel that the Group has developed to the point of requiring 
an internal audit function and has recently appointed an independent 
firm to assist in providing this function.

SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS

Management and the Chairman meet regularly with major 
shareholders to develop a balanced understanding of the issues and 
concerns of shareholders. The Chairman ensures that the views of 
shareholders are communicated to the Board as a whole.

The directors have established Audit, Remuneration and 
Nominations Committees. Board appointments, succession planning, 
Corporate Governance and sustainability issues are dealt with by the 
full Board of directors.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The membership of the Audit Committee comprises Roger Williams 
(chairman) and Eileen Carr, both of whom are qualified accountants. 

The Audit Committee invites representatives of the external auditor 
as well as management to all committee meetings. The Audit 
Committee is satisfied that the Group’s auditors are independent.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

The Remuneration Committee comprises Roger Williams, who is 
the chairman, and Stuart Murray. During the year under review, the 
Remuneration Committee met formally twice.

Under its terms of reference, the Remuneration Committee  
assists the Board to determine the remuneration arrangements  
and contracts of the executive directors and senior employees. 
It also reviews the Board and executives’ key performance indicators, 
as well as performance-related pay and share option allocations.  
A succession plan for senior executives was put in place during  
the year.

No director is involved in reviewing his own remuneration. The 
directors’ remuneration report, which includes details of the directors’ 
interests in options and shares is set out in the Directors’ report.

The independent non-executive directors may, if needed, seek 
independent professional advice, at the Group’s expense, in the 
execution of their duties.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

The role of the Nominations Committee is undertaken by the full 
Board of directors. The Nominations Committee is charged with 
finding suitable candidates for nomination for appointment to the 
Board of directors. 

The Audit Committee met four times during the year to consider the following agenda items:

August 2017

November 2017

February 2018

May 2018

•   External auditor’s strategy  
and planning report for the 
Interim review

•   Half year results and report to 

31 December 2017

•   External audit report on  

•   Directors and Officers  

half year

•   External audit strategy and 
plan for the 30 June 2018  
year-end audit

•   Rehabilitation guarantees

Liability Insurance

•   Impairment 

•   Internal audit

•   Going concern assessment

•   Acquisition accounting and 

 fair value

•   Annual Report for the year 

ended 30 June 2017

•   External audit report on 

the Group Annual Financial 
Statements for the year ended 
30 June 2017

•   Going concern and working 
capital requirement/cash 
forecast

•   Impairment

•   Subsequent events

•   Taxation

•   Acquisition accounting; and

•   Directors and Officers  

Liability Insurance

All press releases, including quarterly results, are approved by the entire Board.

31

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA3232

Sylvania Platinum

Sylvania PlatinumWE VALUEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Directors’ responsibilities in the preparation of  
the financial statements

Independent auditor’s report

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

34

35

38

39

40

41

42

HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

DOING WHAT WE SAY  
WE ARE GOING TO DO

We act honestly and show integrity by continually striving 
towards “doing what we say we are going to do” and showing 
commitment towards our accountabilities of delivering 
high performance outcomes, thus projecting an image 
of professionalism and meeting the expectations of our 
colleagues, investors, business partners and social partners.

33

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIADIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PREPARATION  
OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance 

with applicable law and regulations.

The directors have elected to prepare the Group financial statements under the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

International Accounting Standard 1 requires that financial statements present fairly for each financial year the Group’s financial position, financial 
performance and cash flows. This requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, other events and conditions in accordance with the 
definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses set out in the International Accounting Standards Board’s ‘Framework 
for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements’. In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved by compliance with all 
applicable IFRSs. 

The directors are also responsible for:

•   properly selecting and applying accounting policies;

•   presenting information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;

•   providing additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact 

of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

•   making an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s transactions and disclose 
with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group. They are also responsible for safeguarding assets of the Group and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website.

Legislation in Bermuda governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

1.  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 

financial position, profit or loss and cash flows of the Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

2.  the sections of the annual report include a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and 

the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

By order of the Board

TM McConnachie 
Chief Executive Officer

27 August 2018

34

Sylvania Platinum 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

KPMG Inc
KPMG Crescent
85 Empire Road. Parktown. 2193
Private Bag 9, Parkview, 2122. South Africa

Telephone    +27(0)11647 7111
+27(0)11647 8000
Fax  
472 Johannesburg
Docex  
kpmg.co.za
Internet  

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SYLVANIA PLATINUM LIMITED

OPINION

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Sylvania Platinum Limited and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) set out on pages 38 to 
84, which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position at 30 June 2018, and the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and 
the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Sylvania Platinum 
Limited and its subsidiaries at 30 June 2018, and its consolidated financial performance and consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those standards are further 
described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the 
Group in accordance with the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors Code of Professional Conduct for Registered Auditors (IRBA Code) and 
other independence requirements applicable to performing audits of financial statements in South Africa. We have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with the IRBA Code and in accordance with other ethical requirements applicable to performing audits in South 
Africa. The IRBA Code is consistent with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants  
(Parts A and B). We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial 
statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, 
and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Assessment of exploration and evaluation assets for impairment

(Refer to note 2.3 (k)and (1) for the accounting policies, note 2.2 for the significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions and note 9 
for the notes to the consolidated financial statements)

The key audit matter

How the matter was addressed in our audit

Exploration and evaluation assets are the Group’s most significant 
assets, comprising 42% of the total assets of the Group.

In accordance with the relevant International Financial Reporting 
Standards, the Group is required to perform an impairment assessment 
when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of 
the exploration and evaluation assets may exceed the recoverable 
amount. At year end, there were indicators of impairment as a result 
of a low platinum price and the Group’s low market capitalisation and 
consequently the directors performed an impairment assessment.

This assessment of impairment is highly subjective as there are a 
number of key significant and sensitive judgements applied by the 
directors in determining the fair value less costs of disposal or the 
value in use where appropriate. The directors engaged an external 
valuation specialist to assist with the valuation of the exploration and 
evaluation assets.

Due to the significance of the exploration and evaluation assets to the 
consolidated financial statements and the significant estimation and 
judgement involved in the impairment assessment, this matter was 
considered to be a key audit matter.

Our audit procedures included the following:

•   We assessed the competence, capabilities and objectivity of the 

directors’ independent external valuation specialist by understanding 
the scope of their engagement and evaluating the appropriateness of 
their qualifications;

•   We evaluated the methodology used by the directors to calculate 
the recoverable amount for compliance with the requirements of 
International Financial Reporting Standards;

•   We evaluated the viability of the exploration and evaluation assets 
by challenging the key assumptions used by the directors to value 
the exploration and evaluation assets. The key assumptions were 
challenged to assess whether they are reasonable and supportable 
given the current macroeconomic climate;

•   We used our own internal valuation specialist, as part of our audit 
team, to assist us with challenging the key assumptions used to 
determine the discount rate by evaluating those assumptions against 
market data and specific risks relating to Group;

•   We subjected the key assumptions used by the directors to 

sensitivity analysis to confirm the reasonableness of the impairment 
assessment performed; and

•   We evaluated the appropriateness of the presentation and disclosure 
in respect of the directors’ assessment of impairment of exploration 
and evaluation assets.

35

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

Assessment of property, plant and equipment (PPE) for impairment

(Refer to note 2.3 (j) and (1) for the accounting policies, note 2.2 for the significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions and note 10 
for the notes to the consolidated financial statements)

The key audit matter

How the matter was addressed in our audit

PPE, which consists of six retreatment plants each classified as a Cash 
Generating Unit (CGUs), is the second most significant asset of the 
Group, comprising 26% of the total assets of the Group.

Given the low platinum price and the Group’s low market 
capitalisation, the directors performed an impairment assessment 
of the Group’s property, plant and equipment at year end. Where 
indicators of impairment exist, a formal estimate of the recoverable 
amount is made, which is considered to be the higher of the fair value 
less costs of disposal and value in use. The impairment assessment, 
which includes the determination of the recoverable amount requires 
the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term commodity 
prices, discount rates, operating costs, future capital requirements, 
closure and rehabilitation costs and operating performance.

Given the significance of the PPE to the consolidated financial 
statements, the significant estimation and judgement involved in the 
impairment assessment, the assessment of PPE for impairment was 
considered to be a key audit matter.

Our audit procedures included the following:

•   We evaluated the methodology used by the directors to calculate 

the value in use of the CGUs for compliance with the requirements 
of International Financial Reporting Standards;

•   We analysed the future projected cash flows used in the value 
in use calculation to determine whether the assumptions used 
by the directors in projecting the cash flows are reasonable and 
supportable given the current macroeconomic climate and expected 
future performance of the CGUs;

•   We compared the projected cash flows to historical performance, 

market forecasts and approved budgets to assess the reasonableness 
of the directors’ projections;

•   We used our own internal valuation specialist, as part of our audit 
team, to assist us with challenging the key assumptions used by 
the directors to determine the discount rate by evaluating those 
assumptions against market data and specific risks relating to Group;

•   We subjected the key assumptions to sensitivity analysis to confirm 
the reasonableness of the impairment assessment performed; and

•   We evaluated whether the assessment of impairment of property, 
plant and equipment and the related assumptions and judgements 
are adequately disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.

OTHER INFORMATION

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report, but does not 
include the consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express an audit opinion or any form of 
assurance or conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this 
other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to 
liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

36

Sylvania PlatinumAUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of 
assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to 
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

•    Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform 
audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The 
risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

•   Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 

but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.

•    Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.

•   Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and based on the audit evidence obtained, 

whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures 
in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit 
evidence obtained up to the date of our auditors’ report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a 
going concern.

•   Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the 

consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

•    Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express 
an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We 
remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, 
including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to 
communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, 
related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the directors, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated 
financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditors’ report unless law 
or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be 
communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits 
of such communication.

KPMG Inc.

Per Alwyn van der Lith
Chartered Accountant (SA)
Registered Auditor
Director

27 August 2018

37

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIACONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR  
LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the year ended 30 June

Revenue

Cost of sales
Gross profit

Other income

Other expenses

Operating profit before net finance income/costs and income tax expense

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense
Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Items that are or may be subsequently reclassified to profit and loss:

Foreign currency translation
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income (net of tax)

Total comprehensive income for the year

Profit attributable to:

Owners of the parent

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Owners of the company

Earnings per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company:

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

The notes on pages 42 to 84 form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes

2018

$

2017

$

4(a)

62,768,561

50,497,045

(45,256,978)

(36,241,259)

17,511,583

14,255,786

60,486

(2,055,788)

271,852

(1,966,112)

15,516,281

12,561,526

878,191

(293,792)

888,548

(244,292)

4(b)

4(e)

4(e)

4(c)(d)

16,100,680

13,205,782

5

(5,111,783)

10,988,897

(4,333,218)

8,872,564

15

(3,593,788)

(3,593,788)

7,395,109

5,865,078

5,865,078

14,737,642

10,988,897

10,988,897

8,872,564

8,872,564

7,395,109

7,395,109

14,737,642

14,737,642

Cents

Cents

6

6

3.83

3.76

3.06

3.02

38

Sylvania PlatinumCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
At 30 June

Notes

2018

$

2017

$

7

8

9

10

11

12

8

13

19(b)

14

15

16

17

5

18

16

19(b)

416,442

1,432,456

57,397,256

35,790,425

95,036,579

14,016,407

25,429,912

–

1,488,382

14,741

40,949,442

135,986,021

446,104

586,271

57,587,900

32,257,692

90,877,967

15,321,117

19,502,105

1,148,327

1,797,930

756,255

38,525,734

129,403,701

2,911,337

68,053,385

41,025,586

111,990,308 

2,979,819

72,623,111

30,036,689

105,639,619

173,895

3,685,257

14,326,214

18,185,366

5,676,574

132,700

1,073

5,810,347

23,995,713

135,986,021

323,419

3,626,989

14,591,815

18,542,223

5,075,120

146,739

–

5,221,859

23,764,082

129,403,701

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Equity-accounted investees

Other financial assets

Exploration and evaluation assets

Property, plant and equipment

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets

Inventories

Current tax receivable
Total current assets

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Shareholders' equity

Issued capital

Reserves

Retained earnings
Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Provisions

Deferred tax liability
Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Current tax liability
Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

The notes on pages 42 to 84 form part of these consolidated financial statements.

39

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIACONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended 30 June

Share 
premium 
reserve

Reserve 
for own 
shares

Issued  
capital

Retained 
earnings

Share-
based 
payment 
reserve

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve

Non-
controlling 
interest 
reserve

Equity  
reserve

Total  
equity

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,979,819

175,705,741

(1,063,273) 30,036,689

3,896,700

(36,395,551)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213) 105,639,619

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(68,482)

(568,653)

–

–

–

10,988,897

–

10,988,897

(1,414,669)

–

699,445

637,135

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

370,249

(699,445)

–

–

(3,593,788)

(3,593,788)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10,988,897

(3,593,788)

7,395,109

(1,414,669)

370,249

–

–

2,911,337

175,137,088

(1,141,362)

41,025,586

3,567,504

(39,989,339)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213) (111,990,308)

Balance as at 1 July 2017

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive profit 
for the year

Share transactions

– Treasury shares acquired

– Share-based payments

–  Share options and bonus 

shares exercised

– Shares cancelled
Balance as at 30 June 2018

Share 
premium 
reserve

Reserve 
for own 
shares

Issued  
capital

Retained 
earnings

Share-
based 
payment 
reserve

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve

Non-
controlling 
interest 
reserve

Equity  
reserve

Total  
equity

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,979,819

175,705,741

(737,684)

21,164,125

3,730,400

(42,260,629)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213)

91,061,266

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8,872,564

–

8,872,564

(525,558)

–

199,969

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

405,731

(239,431)

–

5,865,078

5,865,078

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8,872,564

5,865,078

14,737,642

(525,558)

405,731

(39,462)

2,979,819

175,705,741

(1,063,273) 30,036,689

3,896,700

(36,395,551)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213) 105,639,619

Balance as at 1 July 2016

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive profit 
for the year

Share transactions

– Treasury shares acquired

– Share-based payments

–  Share options and bonus 

shares exercised

Balance as at 30 June 2018

The notes on pages 42 to 84 form part of these consolidated financial statements.

40

Sylvania Platinum 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 30 June

Cash flows from operating activities 

Receipts from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees

Finance income

Realised foreign exchange loss

Exploration expenditure 

Finance costs 

Taxation paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 

Payments for exploration and evaluation assets

Payment for rehabilitation insurance guarantee

Refund received for rehabilitation insurance guarantee

Investment in joint venture

Receipt of loan repayment from Ironveld Holdings

Payments of loan to TS Consortium

Sylvania Lesedi acquisition

Cash acquired with Sylvania Lesedi acquisition
Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Repayment of borrowings 

Purchase of treasury shares 

Settlement of share options and bonus shares
Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Effect of movement in foreign exchange fluctuations on cash held 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

The notes on pages 42 to 84 form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes

2018

$

2017

$

57,524,899

49,244,826

(39,172,209)

(33,451,276)

803,812

(7,228)

(682)

(48,886)

630,144

(7,533)

(68,451)

(54,947)

19(b)

19(a)

(4,054,932)

15,044,774

(4,218,423)

12,074,340

–

20,359

(7,551,176)

(3,524,927)

(362,935)

(207,737)

–

(4,943)

1,178,357

(665,359)

(6,272,453)

176,193

(676,448)

(195,721)

588,030

(428,115)

585,031

–

–

–

(13,710,092)

(3,631,791)

(150,180)

(1,414,669)

–

(1,564,849)

(230,167)

(1,074,543)

15,321,117

14,016,407

(226,762)

(525,558)

(39,462)

(791,782)

7,650,767

963,328

6,707,022

15,321,117

9

23

20(a)

20(b)

 20(c)

 11 

41

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  REPORTING ENTITY

The consolidated financial statements of Sylvania Platinum Limited (Sylvania or the Company) for the year ended 30 June 2018 were authorised 
for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 27 August 2018. Sylvania is a limited company incorporated and domiciled in Bermuda 
whose shares are publicly traded on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange. Sylvania’s registered office is at 
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda. These consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries 
and investments in associates (collectively the Group).

The principal activity of the Group during the financial year was mineral retreatment projects and investment in mineral exploration. Operational 
focus during the financial year was concentrated on the retreatment plants.

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES & ASSUMPTIONS

2.1  BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial information is presented in US Dollars which is the Company’s functional currency. All amounts have been rounded to 
the nearest US Dollar, unless otherwise indicated.

Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Changes in accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those in the previous financial year except that in the current year, the Group has adopted all 
new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB and the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) of the IASB that are relevant to 
its operations and effective for the accounting period beginning on 1 July 2017, including:

•   IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows (amendments) – Additional disclosure requirements relating to changes in liabilities arising from financing 

activities, including both changes arising from cash and non-cash changes. 

•   IAS 12 (amendments) – the amendment clarifies the recognition requirements for deferred tax assets for unrealised losses.

These changes have had no material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

2.2  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the application of the Group’s accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities at 
the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. 

Estimates and underlying assumptions are continuously evaluated, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under 
the circumstances. However, actual outcomes can differ from these estimates. Revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively.

Information about significant areas of estimation uncertainty and judgements considered by management in preparing the consolidated financial 
statements is described below.

Revenue recognition

The accounting policy for sale of PGM concentrates is set out in note 2.3(c). The determination of revenue from the time of initial recognition 
of the sale through to final pricing requires management to re-estimate the fair value of the price adjustment feature continuously. Management 
determines this with reference to estimated forward prices. Refer to note 12.

42

Sylvania PlatinumExploration and evaluation carrying values 

The application of the Group’s accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenditure requires judgement in determining whether future 
economic benefits are likely either from future exploitation or sale or where activities have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable 
assessment of the existence of reserves (refer to accounting policy note 2.3(k)). The determination of a Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) 
resource or South African Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (SAMREC) is itself an estimation 
process that requires varying degrees of uncertainty depending on sub-classification and these estimates directly impact the point of deferral of 
exploration and evaluation expenditure. The deferral policy requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions about future events 
or circumstances, in particular, whether an economically viable operation can be established. Estimates and assumptions made may change if new 
information becomes available. If, after expenditure is capitalised, information becomes available that suggests that the recovery of expenditure is 
unlikely, the amount capitalised is written off to profit or loss in the period in which the new information becomes available. Refer to note 9.

Impairment of assets

The Group assesses each asset or cash generating unit (CGU) at the end of each reporting period to determine whether any indication of 
impairment exists. Where an indicator of impairment exists, a formal estimate of the recoverable amount is made, which is considered to be the 
higher of the fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. These assessments require the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term 
commodity prices, discount rates, operating costs, future capital requirements, exploration potential, closure and rehabilitation costs and operating 
performance. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and could change over time, which may impact the recoverable amount of 
assets and/or CGUs. Refer to note 10. 

Fair value is determined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at measurement 
date. Fair value for mineral assets is generally determined as the present value of estimated future cash flows arising from the continued use of 
the asset, using assumptions that an independent market participant may take into account. Cash flows are discounted to their present value using 
a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Management has 
assessed its cash generating units as being an individual mine site or retreatment plant, which is the lowest level for which cash inflows are largely 
independent of those of other assets. Refer to note 10.

Key assumptions used in the assessment of impairment of assets

The recoverable amounts of the Group’s retreatment plants have been based on cash flow projections as at 30 June 2018. The internal financial 
model is based on the known and confirmed resources for each plant, and no allowance has been made for expansion capital in accordance with 
IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. Refer to note 10.

The calculation of value in use is sensitive to changes in the available resources, discount rates, commodity price and operating costs. Changes in key 
assumptions could cause the carrying value of assets to exceed their recoverable amounts.

Resources – The resources for each plant, including the PGM grade and expected recoveries that have been modelled are based on extensive test 
work, sampling and surveying. Where the useful life of a plant is possibly longer than the material currently available to be processed, alternative 
feed sources have been considered and the likelihood of these materialising assessed by management. 

Discount rate – The discount rate reflects management’s estimate of the time value of money and the risk associated with the plants. The discount 
rate of 12.5% (2017:12.72%) is the weighted average cost of capital. 

Commodity price – The Group has used forecast commodity prices obtained from a reputable publication and these range for years from 2018 – 
2021 between $839 and $1,114/oz (2017: $949 and $1,190) for platinum and $936 to $1,172 (2017: $661 to $919) for palladium. Sensitivities have 
also been run at lower prices.

Operating costs – Operating costs are calculated on a Rand/ton basis, known contractor rates and planned labour.

Exchange rates – Platinum group metals are priced in USD. The USD/ZAR exchange rate used in the discounted cash flow model ranges for year 
from 2018 – 2021 from 11.83 ZAR/$1 to 13.93 ZAR/$1 (2017: 12.81 ZAR/$1 to 15.80 ZAR/$1). 

43

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES & ASSUMPTIONS continued

2.2  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS continued

Provision for restoration and rehabilitation and decommissioning of plant and equipment

The Group assesses its restoration and rehabilitation and decommissioning of plant and equipment provision annually. Significant estimates 
and assumptions are made in determining the provision as there are numerous factors that will affect the ultimate liability payable. These factors 
include estimates of the extent and costs of rehabilitation activities, technological changes, regulatory changes, cost increases as compared 
to the inflation rates, and changes in discount rates. These uncertainties may result in future actual expenditure differing from the amounts 
currently provided. 

The provision has been calculated by discounting the estimated costs of rehabilitation of $4,018,790 (2017: $3,704,840) over a period of 10 years 
(2017: 10 years) using a discount rate of 8.75% (2017: 8.8%), which is the risk-free rate in relation to government bonds in South Africa and an 
inflation rate of 4.6% (2017: 5.1%). 

If the change in estimate results in an increase in the restoration and rehabilitation liability and therefore an addition to the carrying value of the 
asset, the Group is required to consider whether this is an indication of impairment of the asset as a whole and test for impairment in accordance 
with IAS 36. 

The provision at reporting date represents management’s best estimate of the present value of the future rehabilitation costs required.

Recovery of deferred tax assets

Judgement is required in determining whether deferred tax assets are recognised on the statement of financial position. Deferred tax assets, 
including those arising from unutilised tax losses, require management to assess the likelihood that the Group will generate sufficient taxable 
earnings in future periods, in order to utilise recognised deferred tax assets. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecast cash 
flows from operations and the application of existing tax laws in each jurisdiction. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ 
significantly from estimates, the ability of the Group to realise the net deferred tax assets recorded at the reporting date could be impacted.

Additionally, future changes in tax laws in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates could limit the ability of the Group to obtain tax deductions 
in future periods. 

2.3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Basis of consolidation

(a) Business combinations
The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Group. The consideration 
transferred in the acquisition is measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. 

Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

(b) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its 
involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated 
until the date when such control ceases.

The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent company, using consistent accounting policies.

All intra-group balances, transactions and any unrealised gains and losses resulting from intra-group transactions and dividends are eliminated in full.

Where ownership of a subsidiary is less than 100%, and therefore a non-controlling interest/s exists, any losses of that subsidiary are attributed 
to the non-controlling interest/s even if that results in a deficit balance A change in ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, 
is accounted for as an equity transaction. 

If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, the carrying amount of any non-controlling 
interest and other components of equity, including the cumulative translation differences recognised in equity. The consideration received and 
any investment retained is recognised at fair value and any resulting surplus or deficit is recognised in profit or loss. The parent’s share of the 
components previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss or retained earnings, as appropriate.

44

Sylvania PlatinumInterest in Equity-accounted investees

The Group’s interests in equity-accounted entities comprise interests in associates and a joint venture. Associates are those entities in which the 
Group has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. A joint venture is an arrangement in which 
the Group has joint control, whereby the Group has rights to the net assets of the arrangement rather than rights to its assets and obligations for 
its liabilities.

Interests in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. Under the equity method, the investment is carried in the 
statement of financial position at cost, including transaction costs plus post acquisition changes in the Group’s share of net assets of the investee, 
until the date on which significant influence or joint control ceases. 

The statement of comprehensive income reflects the Group’s share of the results of operations of the investee. Where there has been a change 
recognised directly in other comprehensive income or equity of the investee, the Group recognises its share of any changes and discloses this, when 
applicable, in other comprehensive income and the statement of changes in equity. 

Unrealised gains resulting from transactions between the Group and the equity-accounted investee are eliminated to the extent of the interest in 
the investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

The financial statements of the equity-accounted investees are prepared for the same reporting period as the Group. When necessary, adjustments 
are made to bring the accounting policies in line with those of the Group.

After application of the equity method, the Group determines whether it is necessary to recognise an impairment loss on its investments in 
equity-accounted investees. At each reporting date, the Group determines whether there is objective evidence that the investment in the 
equity-accounted investees is impaired. If there is such evidence, the Group calculates the amount of impairment as the difference between the 
recoverable amount of the equity-accounted investees and its carrying value, then recognises the loss in profit or loss.

Upon loss of significant influence over the associate, the Group measures and recognises any retained investment at its fair value. Any difference 
between the carrying amount of the associate upon loss of significant influence and the fair value of the retained investment and proceeds from 
disposal is recognised in profit or loss.

(c) Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognised and measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable to the extent that it is probable that the economic 
benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before 
revenue is recognised:

Sale of goods

Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer and the costs incurred or to be 
incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. Risks and rewards of ownership are considered to be passed to the buyer at the 
time of delivery of the goods to the customer.

For PGM concentrate sales, the sales are initially recognised at the date of delivery. Adjustments to the sales price occur based on movements in 
the metal market price up to the date of final pricing. Final pricing is based on the monthly average market price in the month prior to the month 
of settlement. The period between initial recognition and final pricing is typically four months. Revenue is initially recorded at the estimated fair 
value of the consideration receivable. 

The revenue adjustment mechanism embedded within sales arrangements has the characteristics of a commodity derivative. Accordingly the fair 
value of the final sales price adjustment is re-estimated continuously and changes in fair value recognised as an adjustment to revenue in profit or 
loss and trade receivables in the statement of financial position. In all cases, fair value is determined with reference to estimated forward prices.

Interest income

For all financial assets measured at amortised cost interest income is recorded using the effective interest rate (EIR), which is the rate that 
exactly discounts the estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument or a shorter period, where 
appropriate, to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or liability. Interest income is included in finance income in profit or loss.

45

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES & ASSUMPTIONS continued

2.3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(d) Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to 
get ready for its intended use or sale are capitalised as part of the cost of the respective assets. 

All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period they occur. Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that an entity incurs in 
connection with the borrowing of funds.

Where surplus funds are available for a short term, out of money borrowed specifically to finance a project, the income generated from the 
temporary investment of such amounts is also capitalised and deducted from the total capitalised borrowing cost. Where the funds used to finance 
a project form part of general borrowings, the amount capitalised is calculated using a weighted average of rates applicable to relevant general 
borrowings of the Group during the period. 

(e) Leases
The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement at inception date; whether 
fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets or the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset, even if that 
right is not explicitly specified in an arrangement.

Group as a lessee

Finance leases, which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item, are capitalised at the 
commencement of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease 
payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability. Finance charges are recognised in finance costs in profit or loss, unless they are directly attributable to qualifying assets, in 
which case they are capitalised in accordance with the general policy on borrowing costs (refer note 2.3(d)).

A leased asset is depreciated over the useful life of the asset. However, if there is no reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain ownership by 
the end of the lease term, the asset is depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset and the lease term.

Operating lease payments are recognised as an operating expense in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Group as a lessor

Leases in which the Group does not transfer substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of an asset are classified as operating leases. Rental 
income arising from operating leases is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in other income in profit or loss.

(f) Employee benefits
Wages, salaries, annual leave and sick leave

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and accumulating sick leave due to be settled wholly within 
12 months of the reporting date are recognised in other payables in respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date. They are measured 
at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. Liabilities for non-accumulating sick leave are recognised when the leave is taken 
and are measured at the rates paid or payable.

(g) Share-based payment transactions
Equity settled transactions

The Group provides benefits to employees and consultants (including senior executives) of the Group in the form of share-based payments, 
whereby employees render services in exchange for shares (equity-settled transactions).

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the performance 
and/or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (the vesting period).

The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until vesting date reflects (i) the extent to which the 
vesting period has expired and (ii) the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. No adjustment is made 
for the likelihood of market performance conditions being met as the effect of these conditions is included in the determination of fair value at grant 
date. The charge or credit recognised in profit or loss for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning 
and end of that period.

46

Sylvania PlatinumThe Group does not subsequently reverse the amount recognised for services received from an employee if the vested equity instruments 
are later forfeited, except for awards where vesting is only conditional upon a market condition or non-vesting condition. These are treated 
as vested irrespective of whether or not the market or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service 
conditions are satisfied.

If the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognised as if the terms had not been modified, if the original 
terms of the award are met. In addition, an expense is recognised for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based payment 
arrangement, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee, as measured at the date of modification.

If an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense not yet recognised for the award 
is recognised immediately. However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled award and designated as a replacement award on the date that 
it is granted, the cancelled and new awards are treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as described in the previous paragraph.

Where an award is settled net of withholdings tax and the number of equity instruments equal to the monetary value of the tax obligation is 
withheld, the entire transaction is classified as equity settled. The payments made are accounted for as a deduction from equity except to the 
extent that the payment exceeds the fair value of the equity instruments withheld.

The dilutive effect of outstanding shares and options issued is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of earnings per share 
(see note 6).

(h) Foreign currency translation
The Group’s consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars. Each entity in the Group determines its own functional currency and 
items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency.

Transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded by the Group entities at their respective functional currency by applying the exchange rates 
ruling at the date the transaction first qualifies for recognition. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at 
the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date. All resulting exchange differences are taken to profit and loss.

Group companies

As at the reporting date on consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into the presentation currency of the Group 
at the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date and their statements of comprehensive income are translated at the weighted average exchange 
rate for the year. The exchange differences arising on the translation for consolidation are recognised in other comprehensive income. On disposal 
of a foreign entity, the deferred cumulative amount recognised in equity relating to that particular foreign operation is recognised in profit or loss.

Monetary assets and liabilities that are receivable from or payable to a foreign subsidiary and for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to 
occur in the foreseeable future, forms part of the net investment in a foreign operation and the resulting exchange differences are recognised in 
other comprehensive income. The repayment of such a balance is not considered to be a partial disposal and the cumulative exchange differences 
recognised in other comprehensive income is not reclassified to profit or loss, until the foreign entity is disposed of.

(i) Income tax
Current income tax

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current period are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation 
authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted, at the reporting date, in 
the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.

Current income tax relating to items recognised directly in other comprehensive income or equity is recognised in other comprehensive income or 
equity and not in profit or loss. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable 
tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial 
reporting purposes.

47

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES & ASSUMPTIONS continued

2.3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
(i) Income tax continued
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except:

•   temporary differences on the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the 

transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss;

•   in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, when the timing of the reversal of the 
temporary differences can be controlled by the parent or investor and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future; and

•   in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, deferred tax assets are recognised only 
to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against 
which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for the carry forward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses, to the extent that it is probable that 
taxable profit will be available against which the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable 
that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. Unrecognised deferred tax assets are 
reassessed at the end of each reporting period and are recognised to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will be 
available to allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realised or the liability is 
settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. Deferred tax assets 
and deferred tax liabilities are offset, if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred 
taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

Royalties, resource rent taxes and revenue-based taxes

Royalties, resource rent taxes and revenue-based taxes are accounted for under IAS 12 when they have the characteristics of an income tax. This 
is considered to be the case when they are imposed under government authority and the amount payable is based on taxable income – rather 
than based on quantity produced or as a percentage of revenue – after adjustment for temporary differences. For such arrangements, current and 
deferred income tax is provided on the same basis as described above for other forms of taxation. Obligations arising from royalty arrangements 
that do not satisfy these criteria are recognised as current liabilities and included in expenses. 

(j) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment and mine properties are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any.

The initial cost of an asset comprises its purchase price or construction cost, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset into operation, the 
initial estimate of the rehabilitation obligation and, for qualifying assets, borrowing costs. The purchase price or construction cost is the aggregate 
amount paid and the fair value of any other consideration given to acquire the asset. The capitalised value of finance leases are also included within 
property, plant and equipment. 

Upon completion of mine construction, the assets are transferred into property, plant and equipment or mine properties. When a mine 
construction project moves into the production stage, the capitalisation of certain mine construction costs ceases and costs are either regarded 
as part of the cost of inventory or expensed, except for costs which qualify for capitalisation relating to mining asset additions or improvements, 
underground mine development or mineable reserve development.

Depreciation/amortisation

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows (for the current and comparative periods):

•  mining properties, plant and equipment – ten years

•  leasehold improvements – three years

•  computer equipment and software – three years

•  furniture and fittings – six years

•  office equipment – five years

•  equipment – five years

•  motor vehicles – five years

48

Sylvania PlatinumAn item of property, plant and equipment and any significant part initially recognised is derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic 
benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net 
disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised.

The asset’s residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation/amortisation are reviewed at each reporting period, and adjusted prospectively 
if appropriate.

Major maintenance and repairs

Expenditure on major maintenance refits or repairs comprises the cost of replacement assets or parts of assets and overhaul costs. Where an asset 
or part of an asset that was separately depreciated and is now written off is replaced, and it is probable that future economic benefits associated 
with the replacement item will flow to the Group, the expenditure is capitalised.

Where part of the asset was not separately considered as a component, the replacement value is used to estimate the carrying amount of the 
replaced assets which is immediately written off. All other day to day maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

(k) Exploration and evaluation assets
Exploration and evaluation activity involves the search for mineral resources, the determination of technical feasibility and the assessment of 
commercial viability of an identified resource. Exploration and evaluation expenditures in relation to each separate area of interest are recognised 
as an exploration and evaluation asset in the year in which they are incurred when the following conditions are satisfied:

(i)  

the rights to tenure of the area of interest are current; and

(ii)  at least one of the following conditions is also met:

  –   the exploration and evaluation expenditures are expected to be recouped through successful development and exploration of the area of 

interest, or alternatively, by its sale; or

  –   exploration and evaluation activities in the area of interest have not at the reporting date, reached a stage which permits a reasonable 

assessment of the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable reserves, and active and significant operations in, or in relation to, the 
area of interest are continuing.

Exploration and evaluation assets are initially measured at cost and include acquisition of rights to explore, gathering exploration data through 
geophysical studies, exploratory drilling, trenching and sampling and associated activities and an allocation of depreciation and amortisation of assets 
used in exploration and evaluation activities. General and administrative costs are only included in the measurement of exploration and evaluation 
costs where they are related directly to operational activities in a particular area of interest.

Where a decision has been made to proceed with development in respect of a particular area of interest and once JORC or SAMREC compliant 
reserves are established, the relevant exploration and evaluation assets are tested for impairment and the balance is then transferred to mine 
‘construction in progress’. No amortisation is charged during the exploration and evaluation phase.

Upon transfer of ‘exploration and evaluation assets’ into ‘construction in progress’, all subsequent expenditure on the construction, installation or 
completion of infrastructure facilities is capitalised. 

(l) Impairment of non-financial assets
The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication that an asset (or cash-generating unit (CGU)) may be impaired. If any 
indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Group estimates the asset’s or CGU’s recoverable amount. 
An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use and is determined for an 
individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets, in 
which case the asset is tested as part of a larger CGU. 

When the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered to be impaired and is written down to 
its recoverable amount. In calculating value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount 
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU. In determining fair value less 
costs of disposal, recent market transactions are taken into account, if available. If no such transactions can be identified, an appropriate valuation 
model is used. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded subsidiaries or other available fair 
value indicators.

The Group bases its impairment calculation on detailed budgets and forecast calculations which are prepared separately for each of the Group’s 
CGUs to which the individual assets are allocated. Impairment losses are allocated to reduce the carrying amounts of the assets in the CGU on a 
pro rata basis.

49

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES & ASSUMPTIONS continued

2.3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
(l) Impairment of non-financial assets continued
Impairment losses of continuing operations, including impairment of inventories, are recognised in profit or loss in those expense categories 
consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognised impairment losses may no longer 
exist or may have decreased. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the asset’s or CGU’s recoverable amount. A previously recognised 
impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last 
impairment loss was recognised. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount, nor 
exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior 
years. Such reversal is recognised in profit or loss. An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.

Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of an exploration 
and evaluation asset may exceed its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of the exploration and evaluation asset (for the cash generating 
unit(s) to which it has been allocated being no larger than the relevant area of interest) is estimated to determine the extent of the impairment loss 
(if any). Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable 
amount, but only to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no 
impairment loss been recognised for the asset in previous years.

(m) Financial instruments – initial recognition and subsequent measurement
Financial assets
Initial recognition and measurement

Financial assets within the scope of IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ are classified as financial assets at fair value 
through profit or loss, loans and receivables, or available for sale financial assets, as appropriate. The Group determines the classification of its 
financial assets at initial recognition.

All financial assets are recognised initially at fair value plus, directly attributable transaction costs. .

Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established by regulation or convention in the marketplace 
(regular way trades) are recognised on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. 

The Group’s financial assets include cash and short-term deposits, trade and other receivables, loans and other receivables.

Subsequent measurement

The subsequent measurement of financial assets depends on their classification as disclosed in the notes and as follows:

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. After initial 
measurement, such financial assets are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate (EIR) method, less impairment. 
Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. 
The EIR amortisation is included in finance revenue in profit or loss. The losses arising from impairment are recognised in profit or loss in finance 
costs for loans and in cost of sales or other operating expenses for receivables.

Derecognition

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognised when:

•  the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired.

•   the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full 

without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and 
rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred 
control of the asset.

Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of 
the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.

50

Sylvania PlatinumImpairment of financial assets

The Group assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. 
A financial asset or a group of financial assets is deemed to be impaired if, and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or 
more events that has occurred after the initial recognition of the asset (an incurred ‘loss event’) and that loss event has an impact on the estimated 
future cash flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

Evidence of impairment may include indications that the debtors or a group of debtors are experiencing significant financial difficulty, default or 
delinquency in interest or principal payments, the probability that they will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation and where observable 
data indicate that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows, such as changes in arrears or economic conditions that 
correlate with defaults. For an investment in an equity instrument, objective evidence includes a significant or prolonged decline in its fair value 
below its cost.

Financial assets carried at amortised cost

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the Group first assesses individually whether objective evidence of impairment exists individually for 
financial assets that are individually significant, or collectively for financial assets that are not individually significant. If the Group determines that 
no objective evidence of impairment exists for an individually assessed financial asset, whether significant or not, it includes the asset in a group 
of financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics and collectively assesses them for impairment. Assets that are individually assessed for 
impairment and for which an impairment loss is, or continues to be, recognised are not included in a collective assessment of impairment.

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s 
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future expected credit losses that have not yet been incurred). 
The present value of the estimated future cash flows is discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. If a loan has a variable 
interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate.

The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account and the amount of the loss is recognised in profit or loss. 
Interest income continues to be accrued on the reduced carrying amount and is accrued using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash 
flows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss. The interest income is recorded as part of finance revenue in profit or loss. Loans together 
with the associated allowance are written off when there is no realistic prospect of future recovery and all collateral has been realised or has been 
transferred to the Group. 

If, in a subsequent year, the amount of the estimated impairment loss increases or decreases because of an event occurring after the impairment 
was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is increased or reduced by adjusting the allowance account. If a future write-off is later 
recovered, the recovery is credited to finance costs in profit or loss.

Financial liabilities
Initial recognition and measurement

Financial liabilities within the scope of IAS 39 are classified as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss or at amortised cost, as 
appropriate. Trade and other payables and loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost. The Group determines the classification of its 
financial liabilities at initial recognition.

All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value less, in the case of financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, directly attributable 
transaction costs.

The Group’s other financial liabilities include trade and other payables, and loans and borrowings.

Subsequent measurement

The measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification as disclosed in the notes. 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

After initial recognition, other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are 
recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised. 

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. 
The EIR amortisation is included in finance costs in profit or loss.

51

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES & ASSUMPTIONS continued

2.3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
(m) Financial instruments – initial recognition and subsequent measurement continued
Financial liabilities continued
Derecognition

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability 
is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an 
exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective 
carrying amounts is recognised in profit or loss.

Offsetting of financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if, and only if, there 
is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realise the assets and 
settle the liabilities simultaneously.

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of financial instruments that are traded in active markets at each reporting date is determined by reference to quoted market prices 
or dealer price quotations (bid price for long positions and ask price for short positions), without any deduction for transaction costs.

For financial instruments not traded in an active market, the fair value is determined using appropriate valuation techniques. Such techniques may 
include using recent arm’s length market transactions; reference to the current fair value of another instrument that is substantially the same; a 
discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation models.

An analysis of fair values of financial instruments and further details as to how these instruments are measured are provided in note 22.

Normal purchase or sale exemption

Contracts that were entered into and continue to be held for the purpose of the receipt or delivery of a non-financial item in accordance with the 
Group’s expected purchase, sale or usage requirements fall within the exemption from IAS 32 and IAS 39, which is known as the ‘normal purchase 
or sale exemption’ (with the exception of those with quotation period clauses, which result in the recognition of an embedded derivative (refer 
note 2.3(m) Financial assets –Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss for more information). These contracts and the host part of the 
contracts containing embedded derivatives are accounted for as executory contracts. The Group recognises such contracts in its statement of 
financial position only when one of the parties meets its obligation under the contract to deliver either cash or a non-financial asset.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash comprises cash at bank and on hand. Cash equivalents are short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts 
of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the 
statement of financial position.

For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents as defined above, net 
of outstanding bank overdrafts.

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables include actual invoiced sales of PGM concentrate as well as sales not yet invoiced for which deliveries have been made and the 
risks and rewards of ownership have passed. The receivable amount calculated for the PGM concentrate delivered but not yet invoiced is recorded 
at the fair value of the consideration receivable at the date of delivery. At each subsequent reporting date and at the date of settlement, the 
receivable is remeasured to reflect the fair value movements in the pricing mechanism which is considered to represent an embedded derivative.

Other receivables are stated at cost less any allowance for uncollectable amounts. An allowance is made when there is objective evidence that the 
Group will not be able to collect debts. Bad debts are written off when identified.

(n) Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 

52

Sylvania PlatinumCosts incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition, are accounted for as follows:

•  raw materials – purchase cost on a first-in, first-out basis; and

•   finished goods and work in progress – cost of direct materials and labour and a proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal 

operating capacity but excluding borrowing costs. 

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs 
necessary to make the sale.

(o) Provisions
Where applicable, provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is 
probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made 
of the amount of the obligation.

When the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example, under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised 
as a separate asset but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any provision is presented in the statement of 
comprehensive income net of any reimbursement.

If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability.

When discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.

Rehabilitation provision

The Group records the present value of estimated costs of legal and constructive obligations required to restore operating locations in the period 
in which the obligation is incurred. The nature of these restoration activities includes dismantling and removing structures, rehabilitating mines and 
tailings dams, dismantling operating facilities, closure of plant and waste sites, and restoration, reclamation and re-vegetation of affected areas.

The obligation generally arises when the asset is installed or the ground/environment is disturbed at the production location. When the liability 
is initially recognised, the present value of the estimated costs is capitalised by increasing the carrying amount of the related mining assets to the 
extent that it was incurred by the development/construction of the mine. Over time, the discounted liability is increased for the change in present 
value based on the discount rates that reflect current market assessments and the risks specific to the liability.

The periodic unwinding of the discount is recognised in profit or loss as a finance cost. Changes in rehabilitation costs relating to the asset will be 
recognised as additions or charges to the corresponding assets and rehabilitation liability when they occur. Additional disturbances as a result of 
producing inventories are treated as a cost of producing inventories and recognised in profit or loss when sold.

For closed sites, changes to estimated costs are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

(p) Issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Treasury shares (employee share plan shares) are deducted from equity and no gain or loss is recognised in profit and loss on purchase, sale, issue 
or cancellation of the Group’s own equity instruments.

(q) Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated as net profit or loss attributable to members of the parent, adjusted to exclude any costs of servicing equity 
(other than dividends) and preference share dividends, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares. 

Diluted earnings per share are calculated as net profit or loss attributable to members of the parent, adjusted for:

•  costs of servicing equity (other than dividends) and preference share dividends;

•  the after tax effect of dividends and interest associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares that have been recognised as expenses; and

•  other non-discretionary changes in revenues or expenses during the period that would result from the dilution of potential ordinary shares, 

•  divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive potential ordinary shares.

53

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES & ASSUMPTIONS continued

2.4  NEW STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Future Accounting Standards

Certain IFRSs and IFRICs have recently been issued or amended but are not yet effective and have not been adopted by the Group as at the annual 
reporting period ended on 30 June 2018. None of these are expected to have a significant impact on the Group’ consolidated financial statements, 
with possible exceptions described below.

Application date 
of standard

Application date 
for Group

1 January 2018

1 July 2018

1 January 2018

1 July 2018

Reference

Title

Summary

IFRS 9

Financial Instruments

IFRS 15

Revenue from 
Contracts with 
Customers

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments is a new standard that 
replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement. The standard includes requirements 
for the classification, measurement and derecognition 
of financial instruments, including a new expected 
credit loss model for calculating impairment 
on financial assets, and the new general hedge 
accounting requirements.

The impact of this standard may result in a change 
of classification for the rehabilitation insurance 
guarantee from loans and receivables to fair value 
through profit or loss, however it is not likely to 
result in any material impact on the Group’s financial 
position or performance. It may result in increased 
disclosure.

IFRS 15 is a new standard that replaces IAS 11 
Construction Contracts, IAS 18 Revenue, IFRIC 13 
Customer Loyalty Programmes, IFRIC 15 Arrangements 
for the Construction of Real Estate, IFRIC 18 Transfers 
of Assets from Customers and SIC 31 Revenue: Barter 
Transactions Involving Advertising Services. 

The standard requires entities to recognise revenue 
to depict the transfer of promised goods and 
services to customers in an amount that reflects 
the consideration to which the entity expects to 
be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, 
which is achieved through a five step methodology.

The existing contracts with the two customers were 
assessed based on the five step methodology. There 
is no difference in the accounting under IAS18 and 
IFRS15 as the recognition and the measurement of 
revenue are the same based on the assessment. 

The new standard may result in increased disclosure 
with respect to qualitative and quantitative 
information about the contract with the Group’s 
customers.

54

Sylvania PlatinumReference

Title

Summary

IFRS 16

Leases

Amendments to 
IAS28

Long-term Interests in 
Associates and Joint 
Ventures

IFRIC 23

Uncertainty over 
Income Tax Treatments

IFRS 16 is a new standard that replaces IAS 
17 Leases, IFRIC 4 Determining Whether an 
Arrangement Contains a Lease, SIC 15 Operating 
Leases – Incentives and SIC 27 Evaluating the 
Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form 
of a Lease.

The standard requires a lessee to recognise a right-
of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases that have 
a term greater than 12 months or a lease for which 
the underlying asset is not of a low value.

The standard will result in a right-of use asset 
and a lease liability being recognised for the office 
premises lease. The amount is considered not 
material on a Group level. It is also likely to result 
in increased disclosure.

An amendment to IAS 28 Investments in Associates 
and Joint Ventures will affect companies that finance 
such entities with preference shares or with loans for 
which repayment is not expected in the foreseeable 
future (referred to as long-term interests or ‘LTI’).

The amendment, which addresses equity-accounted 
loss absorption by LTI, involves the dual application 
of IAS 28 and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

The impact of this interpretation is currently 
being assessed.

IFRIC 23 is a new interpretation that specifies how 
to reflect the effects of uncertainty in accounting 
for income taxes.

The interpretation may affect tax amounts raised, 
the impact is currently being assessed.

Application date 
of standard

Application date 
for Group

1 January 2019

1 July 2019

1 January 2019

1 July 2019

1 January 2019

1 July 2019

55

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

3.  SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT INFORMATION

For management purposes the chief operating decision maker, being the Board of Directors of Sylvania Platinum Limited, reports its results in the 
following segments:

•  Sylvania Dump Operations (SDO) which includes the Six operational plants and the Sylvania Lesedi plant acquired in November 2017;

•  an open cast mining exploration project and a Northern Limb exploration project, which are both currently in the exploration phase.

Previously the SDO were reported on per plant. However, the decision making by the Board is based by evaluating the combined performance of 
the SDO and therefore the segment report has been revised to reflect this change. Segment performance is evaluated on PGM ounce production 
and operating costs. The following items are not allocated to any segment as they are not considered to be part of the core operations of any 
segment:

•  finance income;

•  finance costs; and

•  unallocated expenses 

The following tables present revenue and profit information and certain asset and liability information regarding reportable segments for the years 
ended 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017.

Exploration 
projects

Corporate/  
Unallocated

$

$

SDO

$

Consoli-
dated

$

2018

Segment assets

Capital expenditure*

Other assets

Segment liabilities

Segment revenue

Segment result

Net profit for the year after tax

Included within the segment results:

Depreciation

Direct operating costs

Other items:

Income tax expense

Capital expenditure additions

68,428,164

31,766,714
 36,661,450**

10,820,961

62,768,561

12,575,807

6,462,567

38,620,104

5,110,082

7,598,058

60,919,441

60,436,824

6,638,414

135,986,021

984,143 (a)

93,187,681

482,617

5,654,273 (b)

 659,149 (c)

878,191

 (1,586,910)(d)

42,798,340

23,995,713

63,646,752

10,988,897

10,988,897

12,515,603

–

–

–

–

174,307

6,636,874  (e)

–

38,620,104

362,935

1,702

26,946

5,111,783

7,987,939

* 

Capital expenditure consists of property, plant and equipment and exploration and evaluation assets.

**  Other assets consist of Accounts Receivable $24,483,992, Cash & Bank $9,956,008 and other receivables $2,221,450. 

56

Sylvania Platinum2017

Segment assets

Capital expenditure*

Other assets

Segment liabilities

Segment revenue

Segment result

Net profit for the year after tax

Included within the segment results:

Depreciation

Direct operating costs

Profit/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Other items:

Income tax expense

Capital expenditure additions

SDO 
Restated**

Exploration 
projects 
Restated**

Corporate/
Unallocated 
Restated**

$

$

$

Consoli-
dated

$

59,704,471

28,390,478
 31,313,993***
10,597,638

50,497,045

10,059,284

5,574,573

30,530,872

744

4,333,060

3,565,469

60,862,348

60,794,007

8,836,882

129,403,701

 661,107(a)

89,845,592

68,341

 8,175,775(b)

12,546,393

–

(327,397)

 620,051(c)

888,548

 (859,323)(d)

39,558,109

23,764,082

51,385,593

8,872,564

8,872,564

–

–

–

686,781

135,814

 5,710,387(e)

–

30,530,872

36,705

37,449

158

416,805

4,333,218

4,669,055

* 

Capital expenditure consists of property, plant and equipment and exploration and evaluation assets.

**	

The	balances	for	30	June	2017	have	been	restated	in	line	with	the	change	to	the	segment	classification.

***  Other assets consist of Accounts Receivables $18,739,745, Cash & Bank $9,296,681 and other receivables $3,277,567.

2018

$

2017

$

984,143
984,143

3,983,970
1,017
416,442
794,838
458,006
5,654,273

36,627
341,787
280,733
659,149

661,107
661,107

5,953,926
1,548
446,104
1,306,884
467,314
8,175,775

286,321
292,663
41,068
620,052

Major items included in corporate/unallocated

(a) Capital expenditure

 Property, plant and equipment

(b) Other assets

 Cash and cash equivalents
 Current tax asset
 Investment in joint venture
 Other financial assets
 Other receivables

(c) Liabilities

Borrowings
VAT payable
Other

57

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2018

$

2017

$

1,429,878
72,632
133,136
227,141
(878,191)
293,792
7,228
42,492
(60,486)
201,474
75,526
–
370,249
1,702
12,847
(342,510)
1,586,910

6,636,874
52,834
6,689,708

38,620,104
6,636,874
45,256,978

62,768,561
878,191
63,646,752

1,164,233
57,714
112,430
191,207
(888,548)
244,292
22,583
38,733
(271,852)
205,129
37,554
(36,705)
405,731
158
–
(423,336)
859,323

5,710,387
55,393
5,765,780

30,530,872
5,710,387
36,241,259

50,497,045
888,548
51,385,593

3.  SEGMENT REPORTING continued

SEGMENT INFORMATION continued

Major items included in corporate/unallocated continued

(d) Unallocated income and expenses

Administrative salaries and wages
Auditors’ remuneration
Consulting fees
Depreciation
Finance income
Finance costs
Foreign exchange loss
Legal expenses
Other income
Overseas travelling expenses
Premises leases
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Share-based payments
Income tax expense
Share of loss of joint venture
Other

Reconciliations of total segment amounts to corresponding amount for the Group

(e) Depreciation

Included within cost of sales
Included within general and administrative costs

(f) Cost of sales

Direct operating costs
Depreciation

Total segment revenue

Sales
Finance income
Total revenue

58

Sylvania PlatinumRevenue from external customers by geographical location is detailed below. Revenue is attributed to 
geographic location based on the location of the customers. The Group does not have external revenues 
from external customers that are attributable to any foreign country other than as shown.

Revenue generated in South Africa

Finance income by geographical location is detailed below:

Australia

Mauritius

South Africa

Total finance income

Total revenue

The majority of sales of concentrate is to one customer. Revenue is split according to segment as 
detailed  below:

Customer 1 

Customer 2 

Analysis of location of non-current assets:

South Africa

Total non-current assets

4.  REVENUE AND EXPENSES

(a) Revenue

Sale of goods

(b) Other income

Scrap sales

Insurance claims

Rent received

(c) Expenses

Profit before income tax expense includes the following specific expenses:

Included in cost of sales:

Depreciation – plant and equipment

Write-off of property, plant and equipment

Included in other expenses:

Consulting

Depreciation – other assets

Operating lease payments

Prospecting expenses

Foreign exchange loss

Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

Share of joint venture loss

59

2018

$

2017

$

62,768,561

50,497,045

–

26,412

851,779

878,191

11

–

888,537

888,548

63,646,752

51,385,593

58,362,990

4,405,571

62,768,561

50,497,045

–

50,497,045

95,036,578

95,036,578

90,877,967

90,877,967

2018

$

2017

$

62,768,561

62,768,561

50,497,045

50,497,045

7,485

–

53,001

60,486

2,318

253,979

15,555

271,852

6,636,874

426,759

5,710,387

–

132,630

52,834

92,863

682

7,228

61

12,847

112,430

55,394

76,861

68,451

22,583

37,449

–

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

4.  REVENUE AND EXPENSES continued

(d) Staff costs

Salaries and wages included in cost of sales

Salaries and wages included in other expenses

Share-based payments

(e) Net finance income

Interest income on loans and receivables and cash and cash equivalents
Finance income

Interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

Unwinding of discount on rehabilitation provision
Finance costs

Net finance income recognised in profit or loss

5.   INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Major components of tax expense for the years ended 30 June 2018 and 2017

Income tax recognised in profit or loss

Current income tax:

Current income tax charge

Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous year

Deferred income tax:

Relating to recognition, origination and reversal of temporary differences
Total tax expense 

The prima facie income tax expense on pre-tax accounting profit or loss from operations reconciles to the income 
tax expense in the financial statements as follows:

Accounting profit before income tax

Tax expense at rate of 28%

Non-deductible expenses

Over provision in respect of prior year

Benefit of tax losses and temporary differences not brought to account

Assessed loss utilised
Income tax expense

2018

$

2017

$

12,470,134

1,429,878

370,249

14,270,261

11,141,917

1,226,170

405,731

12,773,818

878,191

878,191

(48,887)

(244,905)

(293,792)

888,548

888,548

(54,948)

(189,344)

(244,292)

584,399

644,256

2018

$

2017

$

4,807,429

(4,699)

3,958,224

(377,724)

309,053

5,111,783

752,718

4,333,218

16,100,680

13,205,782

4,508,190

565,102

(4,699)

43,191

–

3,697,619

669,053

(377,724)

345,011

(741)

5,111,783

4,333,218

Sylvania Platinum Limited is a Bermudan incorporated company and has no tax liability under that jurisdiction with respect to income derived. 
Certain foreign subsidiaries generated income that is subject to the applicable tax in the countries from which such income is derived.

The tax rate used in the above reconciliation is the corporate tax rate of 28% payable by South African entities on taxable profits under 
South African tax law. 

60

Sylvania PlatinumDeferred tax assets comprise:

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange 

Provision for rehabilitation

Other

Deferred tax liabilities comprise:

Exploration and evaluation assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other
Deferred tax liabilities net

2018

$

2017

$

(3,917,025)

(3,535,369)

(787,513)

(984,687)

(758,329)

(372,361)

11,598,514

7,832,502

584,423

14,326,214

11,598,513

7,618,785

40,576

14,591,815

The Group has estimated tax losses arising in South Africa of $4,844,055 (2017: $4,956,363) and unredeemed capital expenditure of $10,492,734 
(2017: $11,044,557) that are available indefinitely for offset against future taxable profits of the company in which the losses arose.

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items:

Exploration and evaluation assets

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange

Tax losses

Other

2018

$

2017

$

847,863

2,194,846

1,359,723

63,126

4,465,558

840,947

1,900,423

1,387,782

73,959

4,203,111

The deductible temporary differences and tax losses do not expire under current tax legislation. Deferred tax assets have not been recognised 
in respect of these items because at this time it is not probable that future tax profits will be available against which the Group can utilise the 
benefits thereof.

61

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

5.   INCOME TAX EXPENSE continued

RECONCILIATION OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS/ (LIABILITIES)

2018

Other temporary differences

Provision for rehabilitation

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange

Plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation assets

2017

Other temporary differences

Provision for rehabilitation

Opening 
balance

Charged  
to profit  
or loss

Exchange 
differences

$

$

$

331,785

758,329

3,535,369

3,593

50,343

–

(7,618,785)

(362,989)

64,886

(21,159)

381,656

149,271

Closing 
balance

$

400,264

787,513

3,917,025

(7,832,503)

(11,598,513)

–

–

(11,598,513)

(14,591,815)

(309,043)

574,654

(14,326,214)

449,489

559,448

(143,376)

119,731

25,672

79,150

331,785

758,329

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange

5,267,435

(731,977)

(1,000,089)

3,535,369

Plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation assets

6.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

(6,754,758)

(11,598,513)

2,904

–

(866,931)

(7,618,785)

–

(11,598,513)

(12,076,899)

(752,718)

(1,762,198)

(14,591,815)

2018

2017

Cents per 
share

Cents per 
share

3.83

3.76

$

3.06

3.02

$

Reconciliation of earnings used in calculating earnings per share

Earnings attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company used in calculating basic earnings per share

10,988,897

8,872,564

Earnings attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company used in calculating diluted earnings per share

10,988,897

8,872,564

2018

2017

Number of 
shares

Number of 
shares

Weighted average number of shares used as the denominator

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in calculating basic earnings per share

286,997,598

289,942,646

Effect of dilution:

Share options and bonus shares

5,462,603

4,182,274

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares used as the denominator in 
calculating diluted earnings per share

292,460,201

294,124,920

There have been no other transactions involving ordinary shares or potential ordinary shares between the reporting date and the date of 
authorisation of these financial statements.

62

Sylvania Platinum 
 
 
7.  EQUITY-ACCOUNTED INVESTEES

Investment in joint venture

2018

$

416,442

416,442

2017

$

446,104

446,104

a)  Chrome Tailings Retreatment Project (CTRP) – Associate

The Group has a 25% interest in CTRP, which operated a chrome tailings retreatment plant at Kroondal in South Africa (2017: 25%). 

The Group impaired CTRP in December 2013. The plant assets were sold to Sylvania Metals (Pty) Ltd for a net amount of ZAR5,000,000 in June 
2018. The CTRP will be dissolved once the plant has been fully dismantled and moved.

b)  Tizer Sylvania Consortium – Joint Venture

The Group entered into an agreement in November 2016 to establish the Tizer Sylvania Consortium (TS Consortium), a research and 
development project which operates a pilot pelletiser plant in South Africa. In terms of the agreement the Group has a 50% interest in the 
TS Consortium for an initial contribution of $436,386, of which $428,425 has been settled in cash by 30 June 2018. The Group’s interest in 
TS Consortium is accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated financial statements.

The following table summarises the financial information of TS Consortium as included in its own financial statements. The table also reconciles the 
summarised financial information to the carrying amount of the Group’s interest in TS Consortium.

Non-current assets

Current Assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Net assets (100%)

Group’s share of net assets (50%)
Carrying amount of investment in joint venture

Interest income

Interest expense

Other expenses

Total comprehensive loss (100%)
Group’s share of total comprehensive loss (50%)

Contingencies and commitments

The investments in joint venture had no contingent liabilities or capital commitments as at 30 June 2018.

2018

$

2017

$

1,573,136

1,022,493

25,068

(646,153)

(119,167)

832,884

416,442

416,442

15

(25,472)

(238)

(25,695)

(12,847)

–

–

(130,285)

892,208

446,104

446,104

–

–

–

–

–

63

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

8.  OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

Loans and receivables

Loans receivable (a)

Rehabilitation insurance guarantee (b)
Total

Non-current assets

Current assets

2018

$

2017

$

794,838

637,618

1,432,456

1,432,456

–

1,306,885

427,713

1,734,598

586,271

1,148,327

(a)  Loans and receivables consist of loans granted to Ironveld Holdings (Pty) Ltd by Sylvania Metals (Pty) Ltd, and TS Consortium. The decrease in 

the balance was due to the repayment of the loan by Ironveld Holdings (Pty) Ltd in July 2017.

The loan to TS Consortium is unsecured, bears interest at 7% per annum and is repayable on 31 December 2019. 

(b)  Investment linked to the rehabilitation insurance guarantee. Monthly instalments of ZAR222,000 are made to the investment account to serve 

as security for the guarantee.

9.  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

2018

Balance at beginning of financial year

Foreign currency movements

Direct expenditure for the year

Balance at end of financial year

2017

Balance at beginning of financial year

Foreign currency movements

Direct expenditure for the year

Balance at end of financial year

Mineral  
rights

$

2,619,404

(134,705)

56,890

2,541,589

2,251,110

301,064

67,231

2,619,405

Deferred 
exploration 
expenditure

$

Total

$

54,968,496

57,587,900

(418,874)

306,045

(553,579)

362,935

54,855,667

57,397,256

53,472,314

55,723,424

886,964

609,217

1,188,028

676,448

54,968,495

57,587,900

Ultimate recovery of exploration and evaluation expenditure carried forward is dependent upon the recoupment of costs through successful 
development and commercial exploitation, or alternatively, by sale of the respective areas.

An impairment assessment of the exploration projects were done based on an independent valuation by a third party. 

The valuations were based on the differing levels of confidence per project. The Early Stage Projects were subject to a Cost and Market 
Comparable approach, whilst the advanced Projects used a Cost Market Comparable and Discounted Cash-flow approach. Discount rates of 12% 
and 15% were used respectively. No impairment was recognised during the reporting period.

64

Sylvania Platinum 
9.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property

Mining 
property

Con-
struc-
tion in 
progress

$

$

$

Lease-
hold 
improve-
ments

Computer 
equip-
ment and 
software

Furni-
ture and 
fittings

Office 
equip-
ment

Motor  
vehicles

$

$

$

$

$

Equip-
ment

$

Plant 

$

Total

$

2018

At 1 July 2017

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

Net carrying value

Year ended 30 June 2018

3,251,863

2,511,007

2,232,696

62,482,155

819,255

22,252

424,679

56,011

108,721

856,038

72,764,677

(81,453)

(1,647,825)

– (37,303,257)

(555,501)

(22,252)

(354,706)

(54,700)

(81,659)

(405,632)

(40,506,985)

3,170,410

863,182

2,232,696

25,178,898

263,754

Opening net carrying value

3,170,410

863,182

2,232,696

25,178,898

263,754

Exchange differences

(158,030)

(26,240)

(370,787)

(928,097)

4,000,278

3,540,282

(8,779)

10,086

Additions

Acquired through business 
combination

Write off

16,614

17,233

–

–

–

–

Depreciation charge

(14,001)

(250,891)

558,788

3,907,474

–

–

–

(423,320)

(2,189)

(6,157,885)

(73,258)

Closing net carrying value

3,032,226

586,051

6,420,975

25,117,352

189,614

492

–

–

(36)

528

–

–

–

69,973

1,311

27,062

450,406

32,257,692

69,973

(1,147)

31,580

1,311

734

3,324

27,062

450,406

32,257,692

(1,302)

(14,860)

(1,508,544)

9,905

12,407

7,625,004

16,725

19,251

(213)

(58,300)

58,618

–

(6,050)

18,570

–

(980)

13,269

4,532,740

(57)

(426,759)

(9,668)

(119,655)

(6,689,708)

25,017

341,510

35,790,425

At 30 June 2018

Cost

Accumulated depreciation
Net carrying value

3,122,668

2,385,550

6,420,975

67,934,702

723,685

21,633

470,206

104,439

110,512

835,065

82,129,435

(90,442)

(1,799,499)

– (42,817,350)

(534,071)

(21,141)

(411,588)

(85,869)

(85,495)

(493,555)

(46,339,010)

3,032,226

586,051

6,420,975

25,117,352

189,614

492

58,618

18,570

25,017

341,510

35,790,425

Property

Mining 
property

Con-
struc-
tion in 
progress

$

$

$

Lease-
hold 
improve-
ments

Computer 
equip-
ment and 
software

Furni-
ture and 
fittings

Office 
equip-
ment

Motor  
vehicles

$

$

$

$

$

Equip-
ment

$

Plant 

$

Total

$

2017

At 1 July 2016

Cost

2,868,476

2,217,255

–

53,956,078

530,311

19,649

354,366

48,713

81,729

555,819

60,632,396

Accumulated depreciation

(61,014)

(1,252,681)

– (28,055,042)

(437,106)

(19,446)

(281,254)

(47,288)

(63,901)

(282,073) (30,499,805)

Net carrying value

2,807,462

964,574

–

25,901,036

93,205

203

73,112

1,425

17,828

273,746

30,132,591

Year ended 30 June 2017

Opening net carrying value

2,807,462

Exchange differences

Additions

Disposals

371,584

3,220

–

964,574

118,550

–

25,901,036

90,030

3,264,015

93,205

18,728

2,142,666

1,322,142

209,868

– 

–

162

–

–

–

203

17

–

–

73,112

9,169

38,938

(261)

1,425

177

1,375

–

(1,666)

1,311

17,828

2,639

15,512

273,746

30,132,591

41,929

3,916,838

258,886

3,992,607

–

(18,465)

(18,564)

(8,917)

(105,690)

(5,765,780)

27,062

450,406

32,257,692

Depreciation charge

(11,856)

(219,942)

(5,308,457)

(58,047)

(220)

(50,985)

Closing net carrying value

3,170,410

863,182

2,232,696

25,178,898

263,754

–

69,973

At 30 June 2017

Cost

Accumulated depreciation
Net carrying value

3,251,863

2,511,007

2,232,696

62,482,155

819,255

22,252

424,679

56,011

108,721

856,038

72,764,677

(81,453)

(1,647,825)

– (37,303,257)

(555,501)

(22,252)

(354,706)

(54,700)

(81,659)

(405,632) (40,506,985)

3,170,410

863,182

2,232,696

25,178,898

263,754

–

69,973

1,311

27,062

450,406

32,257,692

65

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

10.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

LEASED ASSETS

Plant and equipment, motor vehicles and computer equipment include the following amounts where the Group is a lessee under a finance lease: 

Plant and equipment

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

Motor vehicles

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

2018

$

2017

$

132,467

(85,354)

47,113

533,590

(218,589)

315,001

122,977

(64,869)

58,108

533,590

(117,306)

416,284

During the year, the Group acquired under finance lease plant and equipment of $ Nil (2017: $31,935) and motor vehicles of $ Nil (2017: $258,886).

NON-CURRENT ASSETS PLEDGED AS SECURITY

Leased assets are pledged as security for the related finance lease liability (refer to note 16). No other non-current assets are pledged as security 
for any liabilities.

IMPAIRMENT OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Given the constant pressure on the platinum price and that the Group’s market capitalisation is lower than the net asset value, the directors 
performed an impairment assessment of the Group’s property, plant and equipment at year end. No impairment was considered necessary in the 
current year.

11.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank and on hand

Short-term deposits

Short-term deposits – restricted cash

2018

$

6,593,868

6,464,542

957,997

14,016,407

2017

$

6,269,257

8,110,942

940,918

15,321,117

Cash at banks earns interest at floating rates on daily bank deposit rates. Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of between one day and 
three months, depending on the immediate cash requirements of the Group, and earn interest at the respective short-term deposit rates. The fair 
value of cash and short-term deposits is $14,016,407 (2017: $15,321,117).

At 30 June 2018, the Group had available $2,083,656 (2017: $2,193,238) of undrawn borrowing facilities.

The Group only deposits cash surpluses with major banks of high quality credit standing. 

The Group has pledged part of its short-term deposits with a carrying value of $957,997 (2017: $940,918) in order to fulfil collateral requirements 
for the guarantees held below.

66

Sylvania PlatinumBANK GUARANTEES ARE HELD AS FOLLOWS

Eskom

The Department of Mineral Resources

Growthpoint

12.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables 

Other receivables

2018

$

869,906

53,675

27,166

2017

$

915,656

18,220

–

2018

$

24,936,276

493,636

25,429,912

2017

$

19,130,320

371,785

19,502,105

Trade receivables are due from major minerals mining and processing companies. None of the amounts are past due or impaired. At 30 June 2018, 
gross sales of $18,825,058 (2017: $13,722,018), included in trade receivables were subject to price adjustments. 

Other receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30-90 day terms. No other receivables are past due nor impaired.

13.  INVENTORIES 

Stores and materials

Finished goods in transit

2018

$

1,488,382

–

1,488,382

2017

$

1,187,884

610,046

1,797,930

Inventories of $2,124,571 (2017: $1,478,890) were recognised as an expense during the current year and included in cost of sales. 

STORES AND MATERIALS

Spares and consumables are held in stock for engineering breakdowns. 

14.  ISSUED CAPITAL

AUTHORISED CAPITAL

Ordinary shares with a par value of $0.01

ISSUED CAPITAL

Share capital

Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares fully paid

2018

No of shares

2018

$

2017

$

1,000,000,000

10,000,000

10,000,000

2018

2017

No of shares No of shares

2018

$

2017

$

291,133,661

297,981,896

2,911,337

2,979,819

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at shareholders’ 
meetings. In the event of winding up of the parent entity, ordinary shareholders rank after all creditors and are fully entitled to any proceeds 
on liquidation.

67

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIA 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

14.  ISSUED CAPITAL continued

MOVEMENTS IN ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL

Date

1 July 2017

30 June 2018

1 July 2016

30 June 2017

Details

Opening balance

Cancellation of shares 1

Closing balance

Opening balance

Closing balance

Number of shares

$

297,981,896

29,798,190

(6,848,235)

(68,482)

291,133,661

297,981,896

297,981,896

2,911,337

2,979,819

2,979,819

1 

 3,333,011 shares were acquired in the market and cancelled immediately and 3,515,224 shares were cancelled out of treasury.

On 21 August 2017 the Company announced a Share Buyback Programme (“Programme”). The purpose of the Programme was to facilitate the 
sale of shares held by small non-UK shareholders prohibited from doing so by the cost and administrative burden of trading certificated shares 
outside of the UK. Sylvania’s Board has approved a programme to offer to buy back up to 4,156,982 shares where the individual shareholding is 
no more than 175,000 ordinary shares and is in certificated format. The Company repurchased these shares at A$0.1619. The closing date for the 
Programme was 24 August 2018.

The table below shows the movement in the treasury share account for the year. The shares are being held to be issued as bonus shares to senior 
management in recognition of the achievement of performance criteria. Refer to note 21 for further details.

Date

Opening balance at 1 July 2017

Shares purchased

Shares purchased through Share Buyback Programme

Share options and bonus shares exercised

Shares cancelled

Closing balance as at 30 June 2018

SHARE OPTIONS

Employee option plan options 

– At $Nil per share on or before 29 December 2021

– At $Nil per share on or before 11 June 2023

– At $Nil per share on or before 29 August 2023

Information relating to the employee option plan, is set out in note 21.

Number of shares

8,105,887

4,535,998

2,281,570

(6,555,000)

(3,515,224)

4,853,231

2018

2017

Number of options Number of options

1,000,000

–

–

1,000,000

2,010,000

400,000

1,240,000

3,650,000

68

Sylvania Platinum15.  RESERVES 

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF RESERVES

•  Reserve for own shares

The reserve comprises the cost of the Company’s shares held by the Group as treasury shares. Refer to notes 14 and 21 for further details.

• 

Foreign currency translation reserve

The foreign currency translation reserve is used to record exchange differences arising from the translation of financial statements of foreign 
controlled entities.

• 

Share-based payment reserve

This reserve is used to record the value of equity benefits provided to employees, consultants and directors as part of their remuneration. 
Refer note 21.

•  Non-controlling interests reserve

This reserve is used to record differences between the carrying value of non-controlling interests and the consideration paid/received, where 
there has been a transaction involving non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control. The reserve is attributable to the equity of 
the parent.

•  Equity reserve

This reserve arises from the reinstatement of the recyclable reserves in the former parent (Sylvania Resources Proprietary Limited) as at the date 
of the insertion of Sylvania Platinum Limited as the ultimate holding company.

69

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

15.  RESERVES continued

Share 
premium 
reserve

Reserve 
for own 
shares

Share-
based 
payments 
reserve

Foreign 
currency 
transla-
tion 
reserve

Non-
control-
ling 
interest 
reserve

Equity 
reserve

Total 
Reserves

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Balance as at 1 July 2017

175,705,741

(1,063,273)

3,896,700

(36,395,551)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213)

72,623,111

Included in other comprehensive profit:

Foreign currency translation
Total other comprehensive profit

Treasury shares acquired

Share-based payments

Share options and bonus shares exercised

Shares cancelled
Balance as at 30 June 2018

Balance as at 1 July 2016

Included in other comprehensive loss:

Foreign currency translation
Total other comprehensive loss

Treasury shares acquired

Share-based payments

Share options and bonus shares exercised
Balance as at 30 June 2017

–

–

–

–

–

(568,653)

–

–

(1,414,669)

–

–

–

–

370,249

699,445

637,135

(699,445)

–

(3,593,788)

(3,593,788)*

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,593,788)

(3,593,788)

(1,414,669)

370,249

–

68,482

175,137,088

(1,141,362)

3,567,504

(39,989,339)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213)

68,053,385

175,705,741

(737,684)

3,730,400

(42,260,629)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213)

66,917,322

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(525,558)

–

–

–

–

405,731

199,969

(239,431)

5,865,078

5,865,078*

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5,865,078

5,865,078

(525,558)

405,731

(39,462)

175,705,741

(1,063,273)

3,896,700

(36,395,551)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213)

72,623,111

* 

The following exchange rates where used to translate the Statement of Financial Position at 30 June 2017 and 2018 respectively. USD:ZAR – $1:R13.06 & $1:R13.75.

16.  BORROWINGS

Finance lease liabilities

At 30 June 2018

Due within one year

Due between one and five years

At 30 June 2017

Due within one year

Due between one and five years

Future minimum 
lease payments due

Finance charges

Present value of 
minimum lease 
payments due

$

$

$

155,901

192,305

348,206

190,531

368,240

558,771

(23,201)

(18,410)

(41,611)

(43,792)

(44,821)

(88,613)

132,700

173,895

306,595

146,739

323,419

470,158

These borrowings are secured over various motor vehicles, plant and equipment, are repayable in monthly instalments of $16,813 (2017: $16,949) 
and bear interest at rates varying between 10.25% and 11% (2017: 9.5% and 11%) p.a. Refer to note 10 for further detail on non-current assets 
pledged as security.

70

Sylvania Platinum 
17.  PROVISIONS

Provision for rehabilitation

Movement in provision

Balance at beginning of financial year

Foreign currency movements

Unwinding of discount factor

Utilised during the year

Balance at end of financial year

2018

$

2017

$

3,685,257

3,626,989

3,626,989

(191,087)

244,905

4,450

3,685,257

2,809,228

390,149

189,344

238,268

3,626,989

Provision is made for the present value of closure, restoration and environmental rehabilitation costs (which include the dismantling and demolition 
of infrastructure, removal of residual materials and remediation of disturbed areas) in the financial period when the related environmental 
disturbance occurs, based on the estimated future costs using information available at the reporting date. These estimates are reviewed regularly 
to take into account any material changes to the assumptions. However, actual costs will ultimately depend on future market prices for the 
rehabilitation work required. 

Rehabilitation is performed and paid for on an on-going basis as mining properties are depleted. The majority of the rehabilitation will be 
undertaken progressively over the life of the mine during the depletion of each respective mining property. It is expected that the life of each mine 
could vary therefore, the timing of rehabilitation work is inherently uncertain. 

18.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Other trade payables

2018

$

2,384,518

2,911,389

380,667

5,676,574

2017

$

2,542,753

2,239,703

292,664

5,075,120

Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 30 day terms, predominately payable in ZAR and located in 
South Africa.

71

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

19.  NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

(a) Reconciliation of profit before tax to net cash flow from operating activities

Profit before income tax expense
Adjusted for:

Equity accounted net loss from joint venture

Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

Write-off of property, plant and equipment

Foreign exchange loss

Finance income

Finance costs

Depreciation

Provisions

Share-based payments

2018

$

2017

$

16,100,680

13,205,782

12,847

–

426,759

–

(878,191)

293,792

6,689,708

(134,609)

370,249

–

(37,449)

–

15,050

(888,548)

244,292

5,765,780

61,247

405,731

Net operating profit before working capital changes

22,881,236

18,771,885

Changes in working capital:

Increase in trade receivables

Decrease in inventories

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Cash generated from operating activities

Finance income received

Finance costs paid

Taxation paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities

(b) Taxation paid

Balance receivable at the beginning of the year

Acquired through business combinations

Income tax recognised in profit or loss

Interest received

Foreign currency movements

Less: Net balance receivable at the end of the year

Taxation paid

(5,243,662)

(1,252,219)

528,755

178,451

18,344,780

803,812

(48,886)

(4,054,932)

15,044,774

114,581

(1,916,681)

15,717,566

630,144

(54,947)

(4,218,423)

12,074,340

756,255

(834)

80,679

–

(4,809,670)

(3,580,500)

–

12,985

(4,041,264)

(13,668)

(4,054,932)

154

37,499

(3,462,168)

(756,255)

(4,218,423)

72

Sylvania Platinum20. NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

(a) Repayment of borrowings

Balance owing at the beginning of the year
Cash	flow	items

Finance lease payments during the year
Non-cash	flow

New finance leases

Finance leases cancelled

Foreign currency movements

Closing balance

(b) Payment for settlement of bonus shares

Treasury shares opening balance
Cash	flow	items

Treasury shares acquired
Non-cash	flow	items

Share options & bonus shares exercised

Shares cancelled

Closing balance

(c) Payment for settlement of share options

Share Based payments opening balance
Cash	flow	items

Settlement of share options and bonus shares
Non-cash	flow	items

Share options & bonus shares exercised

Bonus shares expenses

Closing balance

2018

$

2017

$

(470,159)

(383,209)

150,180

226,762

–

–

13,384

(306,595)

(297,300)

35,816

(52,227)

(470,158)

(1,063,273)

(737,684)

(1,414,669)

(525,558)

699,445

637,135

199,969

–

(1,141,362)

(1,063,273)

(3,896,700)

(3,730,400)

–

39,461

699,445

(370,249)

199,970

(405,731)

(3,567,504)

(3,896,700)

73

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

21.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLAN

EXPENSE RECOGNISED THROUGH PROFIT AND LOSS

Expense arising from equity-settled share-based payment transactions
Total expense

EMPLOYEE OPTION PLAN

2018

$

370,249

370,249

2017

$

405,731

405,731

On 29 December 2011, an employee incentive option plan (the Sylvania Platinum Option Plan) was approved by the shareholders at the AGM. 

The company does not intend to issue any further Options under the Option Plan and a decision was taken by the Board to cancel the Option Plan 
in November 2017.

OPTIONS

Grant  
date

Expiry  
date

Exercise 
price

Fair value 
at grant 
date

Balance 
at start of 
the year

Granted 
during the 
year

Exercised 
during the 
year

Balance at 
the end of 
the year

Vested and 
exercisable 
at end of 
year

$

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

2018

29 Dec 2011

29 Dec 2021

11 Jun 2013

11 Jun 2023

29 Aug 2013

29 Aug 2023

24 Aug 2016

24 Aug 2026

Total

Weighted average  
exercise price

2017

29 Dec 2011

29 Dec 2021

11 Jun 2013

11 Jun 2023

29 Aug 2013

29 Aug 2023

24 Aug 2016

24 Aug 2026

Total

Weighted average  
exercise price

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

0.33

0.17

0.13

0.10

2,010,000

400,000

1,240,000

–

3,650,000

–

–

0.33

0.17

0.13

0.10

2,970,000

800,000

1,360,000

–

5,130,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

400,000

400,000

(1,010,000)

1,000,000

1,000,000

(400,000)

(1,240,000)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,650,000)

1,000,000

1,000,000

–

–

(960,000)

2,010,000

2,010,000

(400,000)

400,000

(120,000)

1,240,000

(400,000)

–

400,000

600,000

–

(1,880,000)

3,650,000

3,010,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

The options outstanding at 30 June 2018 have vested and have an exercise price of $Nil (2017: $Nil) and a weighted average remaining contractual 
life of 4 years (2017: 5 years).

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of options during the year ended 30 June 2018 was $ Nil (2017: $ Nil).

SHARE BONUS AWARD

 On 24 August 2016, 4,095,000,000 ordinary shares of $0.01 each in Sylvania Platinum Limited were allocated to certain employees and senior 
management in recognition of the achievement of performance criteria. These shares vested on 24 August 2017.

On 17 August 2017, 2,675,000 ordinary shares of $0.01 each in Sylvania Platinum Limited were allocated to certain employees and senior 
management in recognition of the achievement of performance criteria. These shares vest on 16 August 2020.

74

Sylvania PlatinumBONUS SHARES

Issue date

2018

24 August 2016

17 August 2017

Total

2017

24 August 2016

Total

Fair value 
at issue 
date

Balance at 
start of the 
year

Issued 
during the 
year

Exercised 
during the 
year

Balance at 
the end of 
the year

Forfeit

Vested and 
exercisable 
at end of 
year

$

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

0.10

0.10

0.10

4,095,000

–

4,095,000

–

(190,000)

3,905,000

2,675,000

2,675,000

(190,000)

3,905,000

–

–

2,675,000

2,675,000

–

–

4,095,000

4,095,000

–

–

–

–

4,095,000

4,095,000

–

–

–

–

–

The fair values of the bonus shares granted are determined at the grant date using a Black-Scholes model, taking into account the terms and 
conditions upon which the bonus shares were granted (the exercise price, the term of the bonus shares), the share price at grant date and 
expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk free interest rate for the term of the bonus shares. 
The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the bonus shares granted during the year ended 30 June 2018.

Expected volatility (%)

Risk-free rate (%)

Expected life (years)

Share price ($)

Exercise price ($)

Expected dividend yield ($)

2018
35.95

7.75

3

0.09

Nil

Nil

2017

41.01

7.00

1

0.08

Nil

Nil

Expected volatility has been based on an evaluation of the historical volatility of the Company’s share price, particularly over the historical period 
commensurate with the expected term of the options.

22. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The Group’s principal financial liabilities comprise trade and other payables and interest-bearing loans and borrowings. The main purpose of these 
financial instruments is to manage short term cash flow and raise finance for the Group’s capital expenditure program. The Group has various 
financial assets such as trade and other receivables and cash and short-term deposits, which arise directly from its operations. 

RISK EXPOSURES AND RESPONSES

The Group manages its exposure to key financial risks in accordance with the Group’s financial risk management policy. The objective of the policy 
is to support the delivery of the Group’s financial targets while protecting future financial security. The main risks that could adversely affect the 
Group’s financial assets, liabilities or future cash flows are market risks (comprising commodity price risk, foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and 
equity price risk), liquidity risk and credit risk. 

The Group’s senior management oversees the management of financial risks. The Board ensures that the Group’s financial risk-taking activities are 
governed by appropriate policies and procedures and that financial risks are identified, measured and managed in accordance with Group policies 
and the Group’s risk appetite. It is the Group’s policy that no trading in derivatives for speculative purposes shall be undertaken. At this stage, the 
Group does not currently apply any form of hedge accounting.

The sensitivity analyses have been prepared on the basis that the amount of net debt, the ratio of fixed-to-floating interest rates on the debt and 
the proportion of financial instruments in foreign currencies are all constant.

75

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

22. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES continued

RISK EXPOSURES AND RESPONSES continued

The following assumptions have been made in calculating the sensitivity analysis:

•  The statement of financial position sensitivity relates to receivables subject to commodity price risk and interest-bearing borrowings.

•  The impact on equity is the same as the impact on profit before tax, unless stated otherwise. 

CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group manages its capital to ensure that all companies within the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the 
return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. Due to the inherent risks involved in mining, the directors prefer 
not to utilise funding from financing institutions.

The Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged during the years ended 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017.

The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the parent comprising issued capital, reserves and retained 
profits (Refer to notes 14 and 15).

None of the Group’s companies are subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

Operating cash flows are used to maintain and expand operations, as well as to make routine expenditures such as tax, dividends and general 
administrative outgoings.

CATEGORIES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial assets

Loans and receivables

Trade and other receivables *

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans receivable

Financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities at amortised cost

Finance lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

2018

$

2017

$

25,164,243

14,016,407

1,432,456

40,613,106

19,326,376

15,321,117

1,734,598

36,382,091

(306,595)

(5,676,571)

(5,983,166)

(470,158)

(5,075,120)

(5,545,278)

*	

Prepayments	are	excluded	from	the	trade	and	other	receivables	balance	as	this	analysis	is	required	only	for	financial	instruments.

MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market 
prices comprise three types of risk: commodity price risk, interest rate risk, and currency risk. Financial instruments affected by market risk include 
receivables, loans, borrowings and deposits.

There has been no change at the reporting date to the Group’s exposure to market risks or the manner in which it manages and measures the risk 
from the previous period. 

COMMODITY PRICE RISK

The Group is exposed to the risk of commodity price fluctuations, in particular movements in the price of PGMs. The Group regularly measures 
exposure to commodity price risk by stress testing the Group’s forecast financial position to changes in PGM prices. The Group does not hedge 
commodity prices. 

76

Sylvania Platinum 
The financial instruments exposed to movements in metal prices are as follows:

Financial assets

Trade receivables

2018

$

2017

$

18,825,058

13,722,018

These receivables contain embedded derivatives that are accounted for in accordance with the policy set out in Note 2.3(l).

The following table summarises the sensitivity of financial instruments held at reporting date to movements in the relevant forward commodity 
price, with all other variables held constant. The sensitivities are based on reasonably possible changes, over a financial year, using observed ranges 
of actual historical rates.

10% (2017: 10%) increase in PGM prices

10% (2017: 10%) decrease in PGM prices

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

2018

2017

Profit/
(loss)

$

1,355,404

(1,355,404)

Equity 
increase/
(decrease)

$

Profit/
(loss)

$

Equity 
increase/
(decrease)

$

1,355,404

987,985

987,985

(1,355,404)

(987,985)

(987,985)

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange 
rates. The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the Group’s operating activities (when revenue or 
expense is denominated in a different currency from the Group’s functional currency). 

INTEREST RATE RISK

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. 
The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk arises from cash balances, loans receivable and interest-bearing loans and borrowings, relating to finance 
leases on motor vehicles and equipment.

Cash and cash equivalents are exposed to ZAR deposit rates.

The Group does not engage in any hedging transactions to manage interest rate risk. In conjunction with external advice, management 
consideration is given on a regular basis to alternative financing structures with a view to optimising the Group’s funding structure. The Group 
manages the risk by maintaining an appropriate mix between fixed and floating rate liquid funds.

The financial instruments exposed to movements in variable interest rates are as follows:

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans receivable

Investment for rehabilitation insurance guarantee

Financial liabilities

Borrowings

2018

$

2017

$

14,016,407

–

637,618

9,051,860

1,148,327

427,713

(306,595)

(470,158)

A 50 basis point increase or decrease is used when reporting interest rate risk internally to key management personnel and represents 
management’s assessment of the change in interest rates. At reporting date, if interest rates had been 50 basis points higher or lower and all other 
variables were held constant, there would have been a decrease/increase in profit before tax of $38,646 (2017: $53,352). The impact on equity 
would have been the same.

77

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22. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES continued

CREDIT RISK

Credit risk is the risk that a contracting entity will not meet its obligation under a financial instrument or customer contract that will result in a 
financial loss to the Group. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions 
and its operating activities, primarily for trade receivables. The carrying amount of these financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. 
Receivables balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the Group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant. 

At reporting date, there is a significant concentration of credit risk represented in the cash and trade receivables balance. With respect to trade 
receivables, this is due to the fact that the majority of sales are made to two specific customers as per contractually agreed terms. These customers 
are reputable mining companies. The customers complied with all contractual sales terms and have not at any stage defaulted on amounts due. 
The Group manages its credit risk on trade debtors, cash and financial instruments by predominantly dealing with counterparties with a credit 
rating equal to or better than the Group.

At reporting date there were no financial assets that were past due or impaired. 

LIQUIDITY RISK

Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of directors, who have built an appropriate liquidity risk management 
framework for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long term funding and liquidity management requirements.

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities based on contractual undiscounted payments based on the 
earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows. 

2018

Trade and other payables

Finance lease liability

2017

Trade and other payables

Finance lease liability

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

Less than  
1 year

1 – 5  
years

$

$

$

5,676,571

306,595

5,983,166

5,075,120

470,158

5,545,278

5,676,571

306,595

5,983,166

5,075,120

558,771

5,633,891

5,676,571

132,700

5,809,271

5,075,120

190,531

5,265,651

$

–

173,895

173,895

– 

368,240

368,240

Total

$

5,676,571

306,595

5,983,166

5,075,120

558,771

5,633,891

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

For financial assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value, the net fair value approximates their carrying value. No financial assets and 
financial liabilities are readily traded on organised markets in standardised form, other than listed investments. The Group has no financial assets 
where carrying amount exceeds net fair value at reporting date.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair values:

•   Cash and short term deposits, trade receivables, trade payables and other current liabilities approximate their carrying amounts largely due to 

the short-term maturities of these instruments.

•   Long-term variable-rate receivables and borrowings are evaluated by the Group based on parameters such as interest rates. As at 30 June 2018 

the carrying amounts of such receivables and borrowings were not materially different from their calculated fair values.

78

Sylvania Platinum23.  ACQUISITION OF SYLVANIA LESEDI

GENERAL

On 6 November 2017, Sylvania Metals (Pty) Ltd a subsidiary of the Group acquired 100% of the shares in Phoenix Platinum Mining (Pty) Ltd, 
renamed Sylvania Lesedi, for a consideration of ZAR89,000,000 ($6,272,453).

For the 8 months ended 30 June 2018, Sylvania Lesedi contributed revenue of $4,405,571 and a profit of $328,794 to the Group’s results. If the 
acquisition had occurred on 1 July 2017, management estimates that contributed revenue would have been $6,471,259 and a contributed profit 
of $429,099.

If new information obtained within one year of the acquisition date, about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date, identifies 
adjustments to the below amounts, or any additional provisions that existed at the date of acquisition, then the accounting for the acquisition 
will be revised.

ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS

The Group incurred acquisition-related costs of $68,340 on legal fees and due diligence costs. These costs have been included in administrative 
expenses.

IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS ACQUIRED AND LIABILITIES ASSUMED

The following table summarises the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

Property, plant and equipment

Trade & Other receivables

Inventory

Cash & Cash equivalents

Provisions

Trade & Other payables

Tax payable

Total identifiable net assets acquired

Consideration paid

Identifiable net assets acquired

Goodwill

6 November 
2017

$

4,537,094

1,754,786

256,022

176,193

(69,624)

(381,184)

(834)

6,272,453

6,272,453

(6,272,453)

–

On acquisition the shareholder loan of ZAR253,644,305 ($17,876,090) owing to Pan African Resources Plc by Phoenix Platinum Mining (Pty) Ltd 
was transferred to Sylvania Platinum Ltd.

79

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24. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating leases 

Leases as lessee

Future minimum lease payments (net of VAT) under non-cancellable leases as at 30 June are as follows:

Office premises

The Group has a commercial lease arrangement whereby it leases its current office premises, in Johannesburg. 
This lease has an average life of five years with an option to renew at the end of the lease term and with 
rentals escalating at 9% per annum.

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

Office equipment

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

FINANCE LEASE COMMITMENTS

2018

$

2017

$

80,802

308,007

388,809

16,842

17,908

34,750

83,316

409,257

492,573

13,236

26,472

39,708

The Group has instalment sale agreements for various items of motor vehicles, plant and equipment and computer equipment. Refer to notes 10 
and 16 for further details on finance lease commitments.

COMMITMENTS FOR PLANT CONSTRUCTION 

At 30 June 2018, there were no commitments signed for continued improvements of the plants.

25. OPERATING LEASES

Leases as lessor

Future minimum lease payments (net of VAT) under non-cancellable leases as at 30 June are as follows:

Farm

The Group has a lease agreement whereby it leases certain portions of the Grasvally farm to a third party 
exclusively for the grazing of livestock. This lease has an average life of three years and no renewal option 
included in the contract and with rentals escalating 8% per annum.

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

2018

$

2017

$

41,788

37,115

78,903

–

–

–

80

Sylvania Platinum26. KEY MANAGEMENT DISCLOSURE

SHAREHOLDING OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL 

The number of shares in the Company held during the year by each director of the Group is set out below:

Director

2018

T M McConnachie

R A Williams

S A Murray

2017

T M McConnachie

R A Williams

S A Murray

Balance at  
the start of 
the year

Issued under 
share and 
option plan

Balance at  
the end of  
the year

4,815,000

987,000

600,000

4,615,000

907,000

200,000

200,000

80,000

400,000

200,000

80,000

400,000

5,015,000

1,067,000

1,000,000

4,815,000

987,000

600,000

All equity transactions with key management personnel other than those arising under the Group’s Share Option Plan and bonus shares granted 
have been entered into under terms and conditions no more favourable than those the Group would have adopted if dealing at arm’s length.

The number of options in the Company held during the year by each director of the Group is set out below:

Director

2018

T M McConnachie

R A Williams

S A Murray

2017

T M McConnachie

R A Williams

S A Murray

Balance at  
the start of 
the year

Exercised 
during the 
year

Balance at  
the end of  
the year

200,000

80,000

400,000

400,000

160,000

800,000

(200,000)

(80,000)

(400,000)

(200,000)

(80,000)

(400,000)

–

–

–

200,000

80,000

400,000

81

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

26. KEY MANAGEMENT DISCLOSURE continued

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION 

Short Term Benefits

Cash 
salary/ 
Consulting 
fees

$

505,004

–

24,000

529,004

977,600

1,506,604

425,761

–

–

24,000

449,761

854,358

1,304,119

Bonus1

Directors’ 
fees

$

–

–

–

–

–

280,961

280,961

–

–

–

–

–

270,276

270,276

$

–

125,000

85,000

75,000

285,000

–

285,000

60,000

100,000

60,000

60,000

280,000

–

280,000

Total

Share-
based 
payment

Equity 
shares/
share 
options2

$

$

1,630

–

652

–

2,282

74,320

76,602

8,689

15,876

3,476

–

28,041

158,106

186,147

506,634

125,000

85,652

99,000

816,286

1,332,881

2,149,167

494,450

115,876

63,476

84,000

757,802

1,282,740

2,040,542

2018

Directors

TM McConnachie

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

 Sub-total

Other key management 

Total

2017

Directors

TM McConnachie

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

 Sub-total

Other key management 

Total

1 

2 

Cash bonuses were awarded to directors and key personnel based on individual performance.

Share-based payments include share options and bonus shares granted – refer to note 21.

82

Sylvania Platinum 
 
27.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Sylvania Platinum Limited and the controlled entities listed in the 
following table: 

Name of Entity

Country of  
incorporation

Class of shares

Equity Holding

2018

2017

Sylvania Holdings Limited

Aralon Holdings Limited

Sylvania (Mauritius) Limited

Sylvania South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Sylvania Metals (Pty) Ltd

Phoenix Platinum Mining (Pty) Ltd

Sylvania Properties (Pty) Ltd

Sylvania Mining (Pty) Ltd

Sylvania Northern Platinum (Pty) Ltd

Sylvania Resources (Pty) Ltd

Great Australian Resources South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Hacra Mining and Exploration Company (Pty) Ltd 

Pan Palladium South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Volspruit Mining Company (Pty) Ltd

Zoetveld Properties (Pty) Ltd

Grasvally Chrome Mine (Pty) Ltd

PT Sands (Pty) Ltd

Mauritius

Mauritius

Mauritius

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

%

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

74

100

100

67

100

74

100

74

100

%

100

100

100

100

100

–

100

100

74

100

100

69

100

74

100

74

–

Sylvania Platinum Limited is the ultimate parent of the Group. Transactions between Sylvania Platinum Limited and its controlled entities during the 
year consisted of loan advances between Group companies. All intergroup transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The non-controlling interests are all held by BEE participants. An agreement has been entered into with non-controlling shareholders where the 
Group absorbs the losses that would be attributable to the non-controlling interests. 

OTHER RELATED PARTIES RELATIONSHIPS

Entities controlled or significantly influenced by key management 

• 

Indian Ocean Smelters (Pty) Ltd (Previously Summer Sun Trading 210 (Pty) Ltd) 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS WITH CONTROLLED ENTITIES

All loans are unsecured, bear no interest and have no fixed terms of repayment. 

83

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

27.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS continued

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

The Group has a 25% (2017: 25%) interest in the assets, liabilities and output of an entity, CTRP, which operates a chrome tailings retreatment 
plant at Kroondal in South Africa. The investment in CTRP has been fully impaired in prior years and remains on care and maintenance.

INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

The Group has a 50% interest in the net assets of TS Consortium, which operates a pilot pelletiser plant in South Africa (2017: 50%). 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS WITH INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

The loan to TS Consortium is unsecured, bears interest at 7% and is repayable on 31 December 2019.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Administration recoveries were received from and service fees paid to the following related parties during the year ended 30 June for expenses 
incurred on their behalf:

Service fees paid to related parties

Indian Ocean Smelters (Pty) Ltd

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES 

Balance outstanding at 30 June 2018

Loan to joint venture

2018

%

2017

%

(5,135)

(4,512)

2018

%

2017

%

758,560

130,285

28. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

There were no events that could have a material impact on the financial results of the Group after 30 June 2018.

29.  GOING CONCERN

The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies are detailed in note 22 and available borrowing facilities are set out in note 11. 
After reviewing the financial position, operational performance, budgets and forecasts as well as the timing of cash flows and sensitivity analyses, the 
directors are satisfied that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 

84

Sylvania Platinum85

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Sylvania PlatinumWE VALUESHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Additional information for listed public companies

88

ANCILLARY INFORMATION

Glossary of terms and acronyms

Corporate directory

89

93

THE CULTURE, TRADITIONAL 
RIGHTS AND SOCIETY IN  
WHICH WE OPERATE

OUR ACTIONS WILL  
SUPPORT THE COMMUNITIES 

in which we work while honouring their heritage and traditions.

87

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR LISTED PUBLIC COMPANIES  

SHAREHOLDERS HOLDING 3% OR MORE FULLY PAID SHARES 

Shareholder

1 Africa Asia Capital

2 M&G Investment Management

3 Majedie Asset Management

4 Hargreaves Lansdown

5 Miton Asset Management

6

FIL Investment International

7 Hargreave Hale

8

Interactive Investor

Number  
of shares

% 
Shareholding1

58,882,551

28,247,500

24,813,998

13,512,452

13,000,000

12,228,863

10,595,863

9,575,508

170,856,161

20.57

9.87

8.67

4.72

4.54

4.27

3.70

3.34

59.68

1 

 The percentage shareholdings are calculated on the total number of ordinary shares with voting rights being 286,280,430 shares.  The total issued number of shares is 291,133,661 
including 4,853,231 shares held in treasury.

88

Sylvania Platinum 
 
 
 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS  

The following definitions apply throughout the consolidated financial statements:

AGM

AIC

AISC

AIM

AQPSA

AUD

BEE

BIC

CGU

CTRP

DI

DMR

EBITDA

EIA

EIR

EMPR

GBP

IASB

IFRIC

IFRS

Ironveld

IRR

JORC

JV

LSE

LTI

MEC

MF2

MPRDA

MRA

MTO

MQA

NOMR

Annual General Meeting

All-in costs

All-in sustaining costs

Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange

Aquarius Platinum (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

Australian Dollar

Black Economic Empowerment

Bushveld Igneous Complex

Cash generating unit

Chrome Tailings Retreatment Project

Depository interests

Department of Mineral Resources

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation

Environmental Impact Assessment

Effective interest rate

Environmental Management Programme Report

Great British Pound

International Accounting Standards Board

International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee

International Financial Reporting Standards

Ironveld Plc

Internal Rate of Return

Joint Ore Reserves Committee

Joint venture

London Stock Exchange

Lost time injury

Member of the Executive Council

Milling and flotation technology

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 

Mining Right Application

Mining Titles Office

Mining Qualifications Authority

New Order Mining Right

89

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAGLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS CONTINUED

PFC

PGM

PAR

Phoenix

QCA

ROM

SDO

Shares

Sylvania

The Code

TS Consortium

USD

WULA

ZAR

Power factor correction

Platinum group metals comprising mainly platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold

Pan African Resources Plc

Phoenix Platinum Mining Proprietary Limited

Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code 2018 for Smaller Companies

Run of mine

Sylvania dump operations

Common shares

Sylvania Platinum Limited, a company incorporated in Bermuda

UK Corporate Governance Code

Tizer Sylvania Consortium

United States Dollar

Water Use Licence Application

South African Rand

90

Sylvania PlatinumNOTES

91

Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIANOTES

92

Sylvania PlatinumCORPORATE DIRECTORY

DIRECTORS
SA Murray – Independent Non-executive Chairman
TM McConnachie – Chief Executive Officer
RA Williams – Independent Non-executive Director
E Carr – Independent Non-executive Director

COMPANY SECRETARY

Conyers Corporate Services (Bermuda) Limited

PRINCIPAL REGISTERED OFFICE IN BERMUDA

Clarendon House
2 Church Street
Hamilton HM11
Bermuda

REGISTRAR

Computershare Services Plc
The Pavilions, Bridgewater Road
Bedminster Down
Bristol, BS99 7NH
United Kingdom

AUDITORS

KPMG Incorporated
85 Empire Road
Parktown, 2193
South Africa

SOLICITORS

Conyers Dill & Pearman
Clarendon House
2 Church Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda

NOMINATED ADVISOR AND BROKER

Liberum Capital
Ropemaker Place
Level 12, 25 Ropemaker Street
London, EC2Y 9LY
United Kingdom

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING

Sylvania Platinum Limited is listed on the AIM market of the 
London Stock Exchange (shares: SLP)

WEBSITE

www.sylvaniaplatinum.com

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Annual Report 2018SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC MANAGEMENTABOUT SYLVANIAwww.sylvaniaplatinum.com