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Simulations Plus, Inc.

slp · NASDAQ Healthcare
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FY2020 Annual Report · Simulations Plus, Inc.
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A N N U A L   R E P O RT

2020

CONTENTS

SYLVANIA 
SNAPSHOT

Report profile

Corporate profile

STRATEGIC 
LEADERSHIP

Chairman’s letter

CEO’s review

Sustainability

Directors’ report

GOVERNANCE

Corporate governance statement

Directors’ responsibilities in the 
preparation of the financial statements

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

IFC
1

4
11
18

22
31

33

34

38

39

40

41

42

REPORT PROFILE

This 2020 annual repor t presents a review of the operational 
and financial performance of Sylvania Platinum Limited (Sylvania) 
or (the Company) for the 12 months ended 30 June 2020. The 
repor t seeks to illustrate the company’s business model through 
the application of the capitals in the process of creating value.

The consolidated financial statements, set out on pages 34 to 
85, were approved on 8 September 2020. They include the 
Company’s financial results and were prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Repor ting 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 repor t, financial data is repor ted 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 was adopted and 
implemented from September 2018, and a summary is available 
on the Company’s website (www.sylvaniaplatinum.com). The 
corporate governance statement may be found on page 31 of  
this repor t.

ANCILLARY 
INFORMATION

Additional information for listed public 
companies
Glossary of terms

Corporate directory

86
87
IBC

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

VALUES

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

For more on our values, please visit our website: 
www.sylvaniaplatinum.com

0103020504Sylvania PlatinumCORPORATE PROFILE

Sylvania Platinum Limited is a producer of platinum group metals 
(PGMs) including platinum, palladium and rhodium. The Company’s 
core business is the retreatment of PGM bearing chrome tailings 
material. The Company holds 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 lower 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

•   continuously applying 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 its dividend policy.

The Board has also recommended the payment of a dividend of  
1.60 pence per share (~2.00 US cents), payable on 4 December 2020 
after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on  
27 November 2020.

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

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

LOCATION OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTS
LOCALITY WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA

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

SDO

Sylvania Dump Operations

Younger cover rocks

Younger alkaline intrusions
and carbonatities

0

SCALE

50km

LEGEND
Operating Sylvania complexes

NORTHERN
LIMB

C

N
11

WESTERN
LIMB

Polokwane
(Pietersburg)

N
1

Mokopane
(Potgietersrus)

B

A

EASTERN
LIMB

Nylsvlei RAMSAR

Modimolle 
(Nylstroom)

N
1

4
7
5

6

Groblersdal

D

Rustenburg

1

3

2

N
4

N
14

Pretoria

Krugersdorp

Johannesburg

Dullstroom

N
4

Middelburg

N
4

Mbombela
(Nelspruit)

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

Millsell (SDO)

Mooinooi – Dump and ROM (SDO)

Lesedi (SDO)
Acquired: Nov ‘17
Previously Phoenix Platinum

Doornbosch (SDO)

Lannex (SDO)

Tweefontein (SDO)

Decommissioned operations

7 Steelpoort (SDO)

Decommissioned: Jun ‘17

Mineral projects

A

B

C

D

Volspruit

Grasvally

Northern Limb projects

Everest North

Impaired during FY2013

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCAPITALS CREATING VALUE

CAPITAL INPUTS

BUSINESS MODEL

OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

HUMAN CAPITAL 

NATURAL CAPITAL 

MANUFACTURED CAPITAL

SOCIAL CAPITAL

FINANCIAL CAPITAL

VALUES
Employee safety, human rights, 
honesty and integrity, environmental 
custodianship, respect for indigenous 
cultures and communities

VISION and MISSION
To be the leading mid-tier lower 
unit cost PGMs producing company, 
generating wealth for all our 
stakeholders

STRATEGY
safe and innovative  
processing techniques

focus on PGMs and exploiting  
value-adding associate minerals and 
evaluating potential surface resources

optimising value from existing 
resources and infrastructure

maximising value by evaluating 
disposals, JVs, spin-offs

570 employees

R257.7 million spent on salaries and wages

227 upskilling learnerships

Community internship programme 
introduced

Water consumption > 2.4%

Recovery of seepage water

Doornbosch power consumption reduced

PGM production of 69,026 ounces

Lower grade feed material

Focus on consistent recoveries

Community projects received R1.4 million

Commercial opportunities being identified

Taxes and royalties absorb R233.0 million

Providers of capital receive $2.86 million

570 EMPLOYEES

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.

2

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION2020 
AT A GLANCE

1

HIGHLIGHTS
•  Marginal drop in SDO production to 69,026 ounces

•  62% growth in net revenue to $114.1 million

•  Adjusted Group EBITDA surges by 130% to $69.6 million

•  Group net profit more than doubles to $41.0 million

•  Basic EPS higher by 130% at 14.62Uscps

•  Cash dividend of 1.68 pence 

(FY2019: 0.78 pence)

•  Positive cash balance of $55.9 million 

•  Debt free; no pipeline financing

“62% growth in 
net revenue to 
$114.1 million”

2

CHALLENGES
•  COVID-19 associated production losses

•  Constrained water supply

•  Power and infrastructure restrictions

•  Depressed chrome markets 

3

OPPORTUNITIES
•  Debt free, positive cash balance: ability to fund expansion 

and optimisation projects 

•  Proprietary processing ability

•  Mooinooi optimisation project on track for commissioning

•  Lannex mill completed to contribute to plant life-extension project

•  New secondary milling and flotation modules at Lesedi on track

•  Non-cash impairment charge of US$9.5 million on Aurora

•  Alternative feed sources being evaluated

•  Advanced R&D work into chrome/coal pelletising project

•  Reviewing Volspruit and Northern Limb exploration assets

3

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

“As a shareholder in Sylvania 
you will get facts and figures in 
a clear and transparent manner 
and you will get them released 
timeously and correctly...”

Stuart Murray 
Chairman

Dear
shareholder

OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR

At the time a shareholder commented:  
“The main risk to the SLP share price is probably the global economy more 
than stuff closer to home. Famous last words.” Indeed!

He could not have made a more prescient comment. I have, in 

this letter, highlighted certain shareholder observations, taking the 

opportunity to respond more directly with you, our shareholders, 

noting both your positive impressions and more worrying concerns.

My attention over the past year has been drawn to comments in 

the various forums about the Company’s ‘neglect’ of engaging with 

The first half of the 2020 financial year started well and performance 

shareholders via certain social media platforms. This is not without a 

continued much as was planned a year ago, with stable operations in 

rationale: as members of the Board of the Company, the Chairman 

line with forecasts, some production achievements, and a favourable 

and the Directors are precluded from participating in chat forums 

and gently rising basket price for our metals in both US Dollars and 

and blogs (albeit that we are permitted to be members). Further, as 

SA Rand. The year opened with a basket price of ~ZAR18,700 per 4E 

a responsible company Chairman, I am not tempted to participate 

ounce and by the end of HY1, the basket price had hit an all-time high 

in such goings-on, which in my view could be tantamount to market 

of ~ZAR25,900 per 4E ounce, propelled by ever-rising palladium and 

abuse. My fellow Independent Directors concur with me on this point, 

rhodium by-product prices: all was well in the Sylvania world. 

given our histories with all tiers of listed mining companies. 

By the end of February 2020 and around the time of our HY1 results, 

For certain members of the investor community, day traders in 

that basket price had hit a rather frothy ZAR43,800 per 4E ounce 

particular, this type of market abuse frequently results in greater 

and market sentiment drove the share price to around 60 pence, a 

volatility, which provides trading conditions which they could 

doubling since the beginning of the year!

potentially thrive on. We will not feed their insatiable need for gossip.

4

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
“Increasingly over the past 
year we have welcomed 
more retail investors.”

As a shareholder in Sylvania you will get facts and figures in a clear 
and transparent manner and you will get them released timeously, 
correctly, and without favouring any shareholder, as is our legal 
responsibility. It should be no surprise to any responsible market 
players that we are unable to respond to individual shareholder 
requests for undisclosed market information. Share prices will do what 
share prices do but we will not aid and abet their movement with 
gratuitous news flow. Prices go up when there are more buyers than 
sellers, and go down when there are more sellers than buyers. It is 
my job and that of other Board members to provide facts which may 
inform shareholder’s own decisions whether to buy or sell.

Increasingly over the past year we have welcomed more retail 
investors. Perceived risks around South Africa, COVID-19, operation 
of tailings facilities and the world economy are issues seemingly 
uppermost in those holders’ minds. 

We recognise shareholders’ need for information and, in the report 
that follows, we have sought to provide as much information as 
possible. At the same time, management is considering introducing a 
forum for communication with shareholders via our website or other 
platforms, understanding that shareholders are seeking information 
in a way that is easily accessible to them. We will keep shareholders 
apprised of these plans.

DEALING WITH COVID-19, AND  
ITS IMPACT

In March 2020 the COVID-19 threat and the South African 
government’s response to prevent a national health crisis was a 
watershed. I doubt there is a shareholder who has not followed 
what ensued, and our prior reporting covers the impact and the 
efforts of all.

The reality of the impact on Sylvania is that management has 
been instrumental in operating a company employing 570 people 
in the face of the pandemic, while recognising the unparalleled 
importance of employee care and well-being during these 
uncertain times. We have encouraged and facilitated employees to 
work from home, where possible, and even now, with the easing 
of restrictions. However, we operate numerous facilities where 
there is no opportunity to work from home, and the efforts of 
those who have to come to work are to be commended. We 
have adopted stringent measures and protocols to prevent the 
transmission of COVID-19, and to deal rapidly and empathetically 
with anyone who has been infected or affected.

Since the heady highs of February, our basket price declined quickly 
to circa ZAR35,000 per ounce and drifted downward to end the 
financial year at ZAR33,740. With prudent cashflow management, 
we were able to maintain salaries and benefits for all employees 
without any requirements for furlough, forced leave, redundancy 
or benefit cuts. Strict cost and cash controls have largely cushioned 
Sylvania during the COVID-19 pandemic; the continued application 
of these controls will, I believe, get us through the next few years.

I smiled when reading this shareholder comment: “Since we’re all 
meant to be mean, grasping, gouging shareholders, I’d like to add I’m 
very happy that the company has continued to pay all employees’ 
wages in full right through the shutdown. That’s one “investment” 
that will repay itself many times over in the future.” 

5

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCHAIRMAN’S LETTER continued

DEALING WITH COVID-19, AND ITS IMPACT CONTINUED

Again, a shareholder remarked: “Someone mentioned salaries of all 
employees. I utterly concur. This company has a conscience, does the 
right thing every time and I personally cannot wait for the ride up. 
Whenever it comes.” 

My thanks go to those shareholders and I believe our employees 
recognise and are grateful for this!

It is also appropriate to mention that the Company’s strong balance 
sheet at the onset of the pandemic has enabled it to pay all of its 
obligations to creditors and it has not had to request deferment of 
any taxation payments to the State. Our SA subsidiaries paid over 
ZAR229.7 million (USD14.8 million) in corporate taxes in FY2020 as 
well as royalties of ZAR3.5 million ($0.2 million) in the same period 
as detailed in this annual report. 

In terms of reporting, I am pleased to see each year that our 
reporting improves and adds value to shareholders. One of the 
shareholder comments of note reads: “Stick to the valuation story, not 
the short-term fluctuations. Reread the RNSs and make decisions based 
on your own research, not market movements. The managed funds seem 
to be selling but I have no doubt that the hedgies are buying on the back 
of PGM price movements. The reporting is some of the clearest and best 
of any company I’ve seen. The quarterlies are just great: Clearly laid out 
challenges and opportunities in simple format, not hidden in prose. The 
table with ZAR on one side and USD on the other is also so easy to read, 
and the reporting standards are consistent.” Another writes: “Do note 
how SLP report their results in full every quarter – it’s a model for other 
AIM companies.” 

A comment that caught my attention on these platforms was that 
Sylvania Platinum should avoid the use of the word ‘platinum’ in 
its name. This folly is based on the notion that platinum metal as 
the price underperformer rubs off on our share price. They would 
rather we name ourselves ‘Sylvania Palladium’ or ‘Sylvania Rhodium’ 
… This Company was initially listed in Australia as a platinum 
producer in 2006, before our deregistration in 2012, and listed in 
London on AIM in 2008. On average, our basket comprises around 

61% platinum by mass of the 4E production figure; and a Google 

search of “listed platinum shares”, will come up with our name: it’s 

that simple. I note that Impala Platinum, Anglo American Platinum 

and Norilsk Nickel are all keeping their current names despite the 

impact of palladium and rhodium on their recent financial results! 

Our focus is on running our business prudently and conservatively 

with the long term in mind and ignoring such distraction.

I welcome the comment from this shareholder as to the Company 
name: “I’ve followed SLP for many years but the mistake I made was 
focusing too much on the name, it took an article by Jack to alert me 

to the prill split being 13% for rhodium and 62% for palladium to ease 

my platinum focus.” Currently I would love to see a prill split of 62% 

palladium; alas in the real world it is not! Our palladium prill split is 

around 26%! 

As another shareholder points out: “Don’t forget that we are as much 
a chrome producer as a PGM producer, we just get to keep the PGMs for 

free.” Whilst this may be a simplistic description of our relationship 

with our host mines, it is important to note our fortunes are linked to 

those of our host mines and in turn the ferrochrome and chrome 

ore markets.

Much of what we have committed to in the last couple of years we 

have achieved. One merely needs to look at the share price of the last 

few reporting balance sheet dates: at the close of FY2018 it was at 

16.25 pence; FY2019 it was at 30.25 pence and at the close of FY2020 

it had risen to 41.00 pence. A spike to circa 60 pence in February 2020 

and most recently the gradual recovery to 60 pence levels is, I believe, 

foreshadowed by the strong by-product prices and not so much in the 

anticipation of “massive dividend pay-outs”; rather it has come off the 

back of a successful Project Echo, rising production over the years, and 

stringent cost and capex control. All this happens in the background, 

while we allow the share price to look after itself. 

6

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONOPERATIONS

Despite what was clearly a very challenging HY2, against the COVID-19 
background, the operations performed well and produced 69,026 ounces. 
Reporting 40,003 ounces at HY1, we were well on track to achieve stated 
guidance. Ultimately, COVID-19 and South Africa’s lockdown regulations 
which closed down the mining sector for an entire month, followed by the 
imposition of restricted capacity, which in total affected production for 
almost six-weeks and cost us approximately 10,000 ounces.

The sale of our Grasvally chrome project is still in progress. Due to 
the chaos in the chrome market, this has been delayed. The assets 
are still held on a “for sale” basis and progress is being made on its 
disposal. Ultimately, though, we are not going to “give it away” should 
the current sale process falter. Developing mines in SA remains a 
challenge: we have recently seen a top tier platinum company decline 
to further develop the Waterberg project, explicitly referencing 
COVID-19 and the uncertainty around prices for their decision. 

The progress of all of our planned capital projects has been good; 
however, another year later, there is still no additional power from the 
grid to sustain the planned expansion at Tweefontein. As a result, we 
fast-tracked the MF2 module at Lesedi to counter the loss of those 
planned ounces. The Tweefontein expansion project has been put on 
hold until such time as the national power utility can deliver, perhaps 
by early 2021. There has been quite a lot of carry-forward on the 
capital cost - which is always positive for cashflow.

Shareholders are well aware of the issues with chrome markets. The 
local ferrochrome industry is in turmoil. Major players that account 
for approximately 40% of the ferrochrome market have announced 
cutbacks and retrenchments. Who knows what this will mean in terms 
of ore mining as a whole? However, we are not experts in the chrome 
market, but we observe the actions of our host mines and act accordingly. 
The Sylvania business model is that of tailings retreatment and includes 
provision for both second and third pass retreatment, the economics of 
which depends on prices, operating and capital costs. This retreatment 
comes with additional capital expenditure for tailings management. 

We are, as a Company, in the midst of an already extraordinary tailings 
resource re-examination programme which seeks to optimise capital 
spend versus returns for third or fourth pass material. As a result of 
the reduction of current arisings from our host mines, and mitigating 
its impact on future production, and by balancing the good prices in 
the short term offset by the poorer grade and poorer recoveries of 
old tailings, we are able to process second and third pass materials. 
We have set conservative parameters for FY2021/22 and are making 
the best of the resources we have at hand whilst awaiting a recovery 
in the fortunes of the chrome market and those of our host mines.

Our strategy regarding exploration (E&E) projects has also changed 
during the year. We are going back, looking critically at our extensive 
resources, with a view to finding any smaller “mineable reserves” that 
we can exploit, given the better palladium price. The ~1:1 ratio of 
platinum to palladium in much of the exploration resource portfolio 
warrants a relook from a value perspective. Brokers’ consensus for the 
price of palladium going forward is forecast to decline and then hold 
steady at approximately $1,500, thereby shifting the value of some 
of our exploration projects, especially Volspruit, quite significantly. 
The Board is considering less capital-intensive options to develop this 
resource but much work lies ahead of us.

Given this re-evaluation of our E&E assets, it may appear counter-
intuitive to impair the Aurora asset. However, after lengthy 
deliberations and being mindful of the uncertain times that currently 
persist, your Board has made the prudent decision to take a $9.5 million  
impairment against this asset despite an on-going exploration 
programme on the area. Although a non-cash item, this impairment 
has impacted the net profit number significantly. 

The chrome market uncertainty has also upset our carefully crafted 
chrome pelletisation strategy. This project was unfolding nicely until 
COVID-19 and the chrome market capitulation. Our joint-venture 
research and development for the novel pelletising/agglomeration 
of chrome fines with reductants could potentially be a value-adding 
processing activity for the host miner and for our chromite fines 
recovery processes.

Initially the project piloted two different techniques. After investing 
in research, development, process engineering and piloting, Sylvania 
has opted for one technique over the other. Process technology 
options have been narrowed down as part of the process design, and 
downstream pyrometallurgical test work is in progress to demonstrate 
that this pellet technology may have benefits for ferro-alloy smelters.

FINANCIALS AND DIVIDENDS

In my letter to shareholders for the 2018 financial year, I focused on 
the new dividend policy that encompasses a number of aspects the 
Board takes into consideration before recommending a dividend. 
Briefly, these include the following: 

•   Liquidity and forecast cash requirements of the business: the 

approximate four-month working capital cycle which needs to be 
provided for;

•   Debt: some negative covenants that restrict the payment of 

dividends in the event the Company secures external funding are 
usual with such finance;

•   Capital expenditure initiatives: expansion capital required to grow 

the business and continue to extend the life of the SDO; 

•   Metal prices and Rand / Dollar exchange rate: fluctuations in prices 
can have a major impact on the Company’s results, especially with 
lengthy payment terms. 

•   Legal considerations: Bermudan law permits a company to declare 
or pay a dividend provided the liquidity and solvency requirements 
are met; and

•   Sustainability: the Company’s ability to continue annual  

dividend payments.

I quote from a shareholder: “SLP management are penny pinchers 
and cash hoarders. There is a dividend policy in one of the investor 
presentations from last year I think. But it’s not a policy and it’s not really 
worth reading as it simply lists the reasons why they shouldn’t pay a 
dividend.” A strange comment for a Company that has paid two annual 
dividends in the past especially when our former CEO is quoted by 
another shareholder: “The board have already informed us they will pay 
annual dividends henceforth. In his usual dour way, Terry said they were 
now on that treadmill and didn’t want to ever get off.” 

7

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCHAIRMAN’S LETTER continued

Another shareholder writes: “A big dividend would be nice of course, 
but points surrounding sustainability are well made. I recall that the BoD 
(which admittedly has changed) has made rather cautionary comments 
when dividends were first introduced but they have committed to returning 
value to investors via dividends and buy-backs. Any dividend will likely be 
knocked off the SP on ex-div date, so it’s no big deal for me.”

And this one: “Caution lads, we live in a Covid culture. Expect nothing. 
And there’s zero disappointment.” 

It is very clear for me that shareholders have a multitude of opinions 
about dividends, some better informed than others and they range 
from basic ‘give us the money’ formulaic pay-out ratios to ‘be 
prudent and don’t bet on the future’. Your Board is cognisant of the 
commentary but will not be overly swayed to change from its current 
thought processes. This is not a Gin & Tonic Board; it does exercise its 
collective mind!

At the risk of labouring this point I am going to give some colour to 
the complexities of the financials of a business such as ours, and hope 
to convey some of the important issues the Board has to deal with in 
the process of deciding what level of dividend should be paid.

In considering liquidity, debt, capital expenditure, prices and 
exchange rates, it is worth noting the following:

•  The core of the business is a South African Company. This 
is the engine that generates the cashflow. It processes and 
beneficiates tailings to produce a flotation concentrate that 
it sells to two smelters in SA on terms that are standard 
in the sector. It receives a percentage of the market value 
for the contained metals. Refining is not a cost of sale item 
however, as we do not treat our metals.

•  Revenue is initially accrued: production x price at date 
of delivery to smelter x percentage payability: but the 
payment by the smelters is made (plus or minus price 
adjustments between date of delivery and date of payment) 
sometime later. We quote four months in the policy for 
this but it varies by metal (and again may not be disclosed 
in detail). Payment for concentrate is made in USD but in 
terms of the SA exchange control regulations, under which 
we operate, the USD receipt must be converted within a 
specified period of time into ZAR and held in SA until a 
dividend is declared and remitted to the holding company.

8

Referencing a shareholder’s comment: “Even crazier is that due to 
unique nature of SLP having to wait four months in payment from the PGM 
Refiner(s), a huge rolling trade receivables has built up, far larger than 
trade payables (for any other producer, it’s of course normally the complete 
opposite).” I would like to assure this shareholder that a four-month 
“Quotational Period – QP”, as it is sometimes called, is not unusual in 
our sector. We do not sell refined metals. This is similar to most base 
metals producers who ship copper, zinc, and nickel concentrates 
to smelters.

Our subsidiary does not currently use any external financing of any 
sort (bank debt or smelter advances). I am reminded of the ‘Black 
Swan’ event that happened to Aquarius Platinum when the PGM 
prices collapsed in September 2008. At the time I was the CEO and 
Aquarius had smelter advances equalling a large percentage of the 
expected revenues for the QP for platinum at $1,850 per ounce and 
for rhodium at $7,500 per ounce and a month later the prices were 
$850 and $750 per ounce respectively. The prices did not recover 
quickly (unlike the recent March 2020 collapse of rhodium that 
lasted a few weeks). The end result was the near bankruptcy of the 
operating company in SA, an emergency rights issue in the Bermudan 
holding company and so much shareholder pain. We are fortunate 
at Sylvania that our strong (some say lazy) balance sheet avoided this 
chaos in April this year.

In looking at the ZAR cash balance in SA held at any time there is a 
minimum of the next four months’ operating costs, the four months 
of capital expenditure expected, the anticipated royalties (~2.1%) and 
corporate taxes (28%) due (these are paid semi-annually), in addition 
to a number of cash guarantees and deposits that are ‘cash’ but may 
not be accessed (e.g. rehabilitation funds, deposits with Eskom, etc). 

With COVID-19, the Board has decided it is prudent to increase the 
ZAR holdings to six months’ liquidity in the short term. I also caution 
that the smelter payments for lockdown-impacted Q4 ounces will only 
arrive in Q1 and Q2 of the new financial year.

This shareholder wrote: “A large portion of the cash is held in ZAR 
and with the recent weakening of the ZAR to the USD, a significant 
impact on the USD reported cash balance going forward will be had.” 
This is correct and is a fact of life for a business operating in South 
Africa. This impact does work both ways though!

An observant shareholder notes: “Technically, we’re investing in the 
Bermuda-based parent company here, and it is they who pay us a 
dividend. But I also have wondered about how Sylvania move money 
out of South Africa (presumably by Sylvania Dump Operations (SA) 
paying dividends to the Bermuda topco), and how much this cost in 
taxes etc.” This is correct.

Until recently the SA companies have been repaying their shareholder 
loans from the holding company (those loans comprised the funds 
introduced to SA to originally develop and build the operations in past 
years). Those loans have now been repaid and any surplus in terms of 
ZAR cash after all the above considerations are adequately catered 
for, will (subject again to exchange control regulations) be remitted 
to the holding company by way of dividend. The costs of running 
the holding company (~$3.0 million per year) plus funds for share 

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONbuybacks, etc have to be met from dividends from SA. Therefore, 
it follows that payments to shareholders have to be met by way of 
dividends from SA. There are currently approximately 6% to 8% of 
withholding taxes on dividends from SA to the holding company. 
The first dividend flows from SA will occur in HY1 of FY2021. 

If I were a guessing man, had COVID-19 not arrived, guidance would 
have been met, and this, coupled with HY2 prices, would have 
produced a spectacular financial outcome. But the ZAR would not 
have weakened so much and the corporate tax bill for June 2020 
would have been greater, tarnishing some of that performance. 
Shareholders may have come to expect the dividend of their lives! 
However, right now, in these uncertain times, our priority is to keep 
the Company safe; the challenges ahead translate into continued 
conservative cash management.

I hope this explanation around (ZAR) liquidity issues helps this 
shareholder who wrote: “I’m annoyed that they’ve been holding the huge 
cash balance in ZAR, half of that should be in our pockets by now.”

Nevertheless, Sylvania is faring rather well, but we do need to remain 
conscious of the risks, and this business must remain solvent through 
the next year or two of uncertainty and beyond. A key consideration 
is the volatility of the ZAR, and the sustainability of metal prices. Thus, 
I urge you to be careful in your interpretation of the cash flow of the 
Company, keeping in mind that we report in USD, albeit that the 
functional currency for the operations are ZAR. This volatility produces 
unexpected results in the income statement and cashflow report.

Addressing the matter of share buy-backs, I quote this shareholder 
“Ughh – hate buy-backs! Always have. Never does much for the SP 
valuation in my experience. What’s the reason for the buy-backs?”

I had expected that the rationale for our various buybacks (dating 
back to December 2014) had been captured in the accompanying 
announcements, but I will elaborate further.

I joined the Board in 2013 when the Company had ~298 million 
shares in issue with a further 30 million options authorised, thus, 
potentially there may be 328 million shares now in issue. We now 
have just over 287 million shares in issue including 15 million shares in 
Treasury. Through the buybacks over the last six years we have been 
able not only to prevent the dilution from options vesting, but we 
have been able to grant around 12 million shares to senior employees 
and we have cancelled approximately 11 million shares. The Treasury 
holding now covers all historical awards and enables the Company to 
create the newly-launched Employee Dividend Entitlement Scheme 
for all junior and mid-level employees. This is an alternative way for 
the employees to share in the good fortune of the Company, rather 
than the payment of a cash bonus, and seeks to align some of the 
employees’ income with shareholder returns. The shares will not be 
allocated to employees but will be held in trust, and the employees 
will share, like other shareholders, in future dividends.

During the course of the year, Sylvania relaunched its Share Buyback 
Programme. The programme will run to 30 September 2020 and 
at the time of this report, approximately 33% of small non-UK 
shareholders had taken up the offer. As of the close of the financial 
year, the cost of the Share Buyback Programme to the Company 
amounted to A$617,855, with the Company successfully buying back 
671,947 shares and, as at the date of release of this annual report, a 
total of 878,905 shares were bought back at a total cost of A$808,153.

We have been able to do all of this for a cost of GBP9.39 million, an 
average of ~21.9 pence per share. The value of the cancelled shares 
is almost GBP7.0 million at today’s share price alone. I would put it to 
shareholders that this has been a successful undertaking to date.

The Board will continue to buy shares (rather than issue new shares) 
to top up the share schemes on an ‘as needs’ basis. In terms of a 
more general buyback I note this shareholder’s recent comment: 
“Management are unlikely to be buying shares into a rising market, 

9

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCHAIRMAN’S LETTER continued

they are too prudent for that. They’ll wait for a dip.” I concur with this 
comment! We will evaluate any buyback (opportunistically).

After careful consideration of many factors, I am pleased to advise 
that the Company has recommended the payment of 1.60 pence 
(~2.00 US cents) per share dividend, payable on 4 December 2020. 
This is another doubling of the prior year’s dividend and will cost 
the company in excess of $6.0 million and is viewed by the Board as 
sustainable under the current circumstances facing the Company.

WINDFALL DIVIDEND

Much is made of the palladium and rhodium prices by shareholders. 
I would like to highlight the following comment “Rhodium – SLP’s 
largest source of revenue – is trading at $12,200 per ounce today (JMAT 
price), rising strongly on the back of supply shortages caused by South 
African deep mine production difficulties. The all-time high, $13,800 from 
February earlier this year, looks like it might be within reach. So this should 
mean super-profits (again, like in Q1 this year) for an unaffected surface 
producer like SLP.”

There is merit in what this shareholder says but I caution that we are 
not an ‘unaffected surface producer’. COVID-19 and the state of the 
chrome market have affected us for 2020 and will continue to do so 
for the reasons articulated earlier in this report. The Company does 
not receive the JMAT rhodium price – the industry usually trades the 
‘‘Other PGMs” (rhodium, ruthenium and iridium) at benchmark prices 
from S&P Platts, which are somewhat lower.

Rhodium at $10,000 per ounce would indeed be our largest 
contributor to revenues but we have not received that price for 
anything like the full year in question. Likewise, we have not received 
the similar palladium windfall for the entire year. These prices are a 
feature of HY2 and were significantly offset owing to the lockdown-
related drop in production. Likewise, the ‘benefit’ of the weaker ZAR 
is a COVID-induced matter.

That said, the Directors have decided to examine the possibility of 
payment of a ‘metal price windfall dividend’ to be paid in HY2 FY2021, 
to be based on any excess cashflow generated from palladium and 
rhodium prices achieved above long-term broker consensus prices 
for these metals for the 2020 calendar year. Such a distribution will 
take into account the actual production achieved, the actual prices 
achieved, and the actual ZAR exchange rate achieved. Any windfall 
will take into account its share of royalties and corporate tax, dividend 
withholding tax. I stress that any windfall will be calculated on an 
“achieved basis” and we aim to pay this in Q3 of 2021.

investment. Of course, the metal of the year, and in fact of the last 
five years according to the World Platinum Investment Council, 
has been palladium. Johnson Matthey, in its February 2020 market 
overview, suggests that the palladium deficit is likely to increase 
in 2020, as more Chinese and European vehicles catch up with 
increasingly stringent emissions legislation. Whether this outlook 
becomes a reality will depend largely on the rate at which the global 
economy bounces back from the COVID-19 gloom and pessimism. 
And it’s probably fair to say that very few market commentators 
and economists are likely to stick their necks out at this stage, while 
they watch how the lockdown and South African supply disruptions 
further impact the supply of metal to market.

FUTURE

We will take conservative assumptions into FY2021 as to when the 
sector might recover. A key reasoning behind our informal indication 
as opposed to formal guidance is not to enter into a guessing game 
throughout the year. The reality is such that a second wave of 
COVID-19 will impact production. Some companies have even gone 
so far as to suspend guidance for FY2021 as there are too many 
unknowns. As such, Sylvania will be targeting around 70,000 ounces 
for the coming financial year.

THANKS

It goes without saying that, in finding a way through what has been 
an incredibly tumultuous year for the world and market as a whole, 
Sylvania management and employees have done a sterling job. 
My thanks to all of them and our host mine’s management for their 
tenacity in the face of the pandemic. Our new CEO and CFO have 
had the ‘proverbial baptism of fire’ taking the reins of the Company 
on 1 March just as COVID-19 hit South Africa! As our former CEO, 
Terry McConnachie said in the 2020 interim report announcement, 
the Company has been left in good hands upon his departure. 
All credit to Terry in that he very prudently surrounded himself 
with a strong team and there has been no added trauma with the 
transition to Jaco Prinsloo as new CEO and Lewanne Carminati 
as CFO, a succession plan that has been carefully engineered over 
prior years. After more than 46 years of working in the mining and 
minerals industry, and after 14 years with Sylvania, he well deserves 
his ‘retirement’. Rumour of another start-up circulates. We wish him 
a belated happy 65th birthday for July.

MARKET OUTLOOK

2020 has been an absurd year. Markets are now at the mercy of 
loose-money speculation, and the “new money” being pumped into 
the global economy is merely going to seek out more risky equity 

Stuart Murray
Chairman

10

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCEO’S REVIEW

“...during the hard 
lockdown period, the 
Group was in the fortunate 
position to continue to pay 
all employees salaries..”

Jaco Prinsloo 
Chief Executive Officer

In his parting statement to shareholders in the Company’s interim 
financial results announcement, outgoing CEO, Terry McConnachie said: 
“Whilst the results for HYI are excellent, the Board is mindful of the potential 
challenges ahead …”

At the time of release of this report, it would be close on six months 
since the first case of COVID-19 arrived in the country and there is 
no denying the historically unprecedented nature and circumstances 
under which the operations have performed during HY2. 

As the Chairman pointed out, when we released the interim results 
during February 2020, the Group had produced 40,003 ounces for 
HY1 and we were headed for another year of record production and 
the seventh year of growth before the impact of COVID-19. 

On 23 March 2020, in a bid to curb the rise of COVID-19 infections 
in the country, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced 
that the country would be placed on a 21-day nationwide lockdown 
(hard lockdown) from midnight on 26 March 2020, which placed all 
non-essential mining operations on care and maintenance.

The 21-day hard lockdown period was extended by the President in 

his speech on 9 April 2020 until 30 April 2020 and on 16 April 2020, 

amended regulations issued under the Disaster Management Act of 

2000 were published which enabled all mines to resume operations at 

50% capacity. The Group thus began with scaled-down operations in 

May 2020 after an almost six-week interruption related to the national 

lockdown and associated restrictions and limitations placed upon the 

subsequent start-up, and progressively ramped up to full production 

in June 2020.

Although the operations were stalled during the hard lockdown 

period, the Group was in the fortunate position to continue to 

pay all employee salaries, which eased any potential financial 

burden on employees as a result of the pandemic. The safety and 

wellbeing of all our employees and their families are a key priority 

for the Company and we are adhering to the Government’s 

special regulations and Guidelines that have been provided by 

the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) with 

reference to COVID-19.

11

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
CEO’S REVIEW continued

The 2020 operational, financial and corporate results can be 
summarised as follows:

recommencement of scaled-down operations in May 2020 and the 
slow ramp-up to full capacity in June 2020. 

HEALTH, SAFETY AND 
ENVIRONMENT

While dealing with the emergence of COVID-19 and its associated 
challenges, the operations continued to focus on health, safety and 
environmental compliance. The Company is proud to report that 
there were no significant health or environmental incidents reported 
during the year and both the Tweefontein and Doornbosch operations 
have achieved the significant industry milestone of eight years lost-
time injury (LTI) free during June 2020. Millsell has remained LTI-free 
for more than five years at financial year end. 

The Company remains fatality-free since inception in 2006, but the 
operations unfortunately recorded three LTIs for this financial year: 
one each at Lesedi, Lannex and Mooinooi during the second, third 
and fourth quarters respectively. A key focus area for management is 
to ensure that every recorded LTI is fully investigated and corrective 
measures are implemented to avoid recurrences in the future.

Since the emergence of COVID-19 in the country, management has 
focused on identifying and minimising the various risks posed by the 
pandemic to employees and contractors. Besides the various systems 
and physical measures being put in place to safeguard employees and 
curb the spread of the virus, management also assisted employees 
by maintaining full salaries during the COVID-19 lockdown period 
and offering social relief to neighbouring communities in terms of 
the distribution of food parcels at a time when many people in the 
country lost their income.

The Company has been very fortunate that it has had only 14 
confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded amongst its employees to date, 
with all affected employees thankfully recovered and returned to work 
after experiencing mild symptoms of the virus.

Focusing on and ensuring that employees’ health and safety remains 
a priority, especially during the challenging times, and to ensure full 
compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation and 
procedures, requires a relentless effort and Management teams across 
the Group’s operations remain committed to this goal. Through the 
collaborative efforts of management and all employees across the 
operations, we strive to maintain high safety standards and a safe 
working environment at all operations.

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

The SDO delivered annual production of 69,026 ounces for the 
2020 financial year, despite a particularly challenging HY2 FY2020 as 
a result of being placed on care and maintenance due to COVID-19 
Regulations. Fortunately, annual ounces only declined 4% year-on-
year and the SDO thus exceeded the revised expected guidance, 
as communicated in Q3 FY2020, of 68,000 ounces for the financial 
year following the break in operations during April 2020, the 

Higher PGM plant recovery efficiencies, which improved 15% year-on 
year, significantly assisted to mitigate the impact of lower PGM feed 
tons and PGM feed grade that decreased by 11% and 7% respectively. 

The almost six-week interruption between March and May 2020, 
related to the national lockdown, impacted significantly on operational 
performance and specifically contributed to lower plant throughput 
and PGM ounce production. Throughput and grade have further been 
impacted by the changing circumstances at the host mine, resulting 
in lower volumes of underground RoM and current arisings being 
received during the latter period of the year. 

The 4E PGM head grade decreased by 7% from the previous 
financial year. This was mainly owing to the lower feed grade material 
received from the host mine in order to make up for the loss of fresh 
underground ore, associated mainly with the effects of COVID-19 and 
global chrome market conditions. Fortunately, the optimisation of the 
Mooinooi MF2 (the third Project Echo module) and Lesedi front-end 
classification projects that were commissioned towards the end of 
FY2019, along with continuing technical optimisation work across 
operations resulted in an increase in PGM recoveries of 15%  
year-on-year. 

In addition, higher PGM flotation mass pull during the year also 
contributed to boosting recovery efficiencies at certain operations. 
However, given the declining PGM feed grades, which impact on the 
quality of the PGM concentrate to the Group’s off-take smelters, 
operations will need to carefully balance the PGM recoveries with 
the mass pull and concentrate quality. PGM recovery is expected to 
remain in the 52% to 54% range during the next year.

In order to maintain levels of production, the focus remains on 
increasing the surface resource base and optimising the dump hybrid 
hydro-mining systems to make up for the lower RoM and current 
arisings tons. The Lannex milling project was initially delayed due to 
the lockdown; however, with commissioning starting in July 2020, it 
is expected to contribute sustainably to increased throughput and 
efficiencies from September 2020.

The SDO cash cost increased by 27% in ZAR (the functional 
currency) from ZAR7,548/ounce to ZAR9,577/ounce while the USD 
cash cost increased to $615/ounce against $532/ounce in FY2019. 
The increase in ZAR terms was fuelled primarily by the lower PGM 
production ounces associated with COVID-19, given fixed costs and 
salaries paid during the lockdown. Other significant contributors to 
the higher cash costs were the above-inflation electricity increases 
and higher re-mining costs to supplement the lower RoM and current 
arisings from the host mines. 

Water constraints to operations, particularly at the Western 
operations, continued to remain a concern throughout the year. 
However, research into technology to reduce water losses and 
consumption as well as alternative measures to supplement water 
supply to operations assisted in improving operational running times. 
In particular, the trial water-scavenging boreholes that were drilled in 

12

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONconsultation with water and environmental experts at Lesedi, in order 
to recover seepage from tailings dam facilities during the first quarter 
proved to be promising, and following the successful implementation 
at Lesedi, a similar project was initiated at Tweefontein towards the 
end of the financial year.

Utility infrastructure and supply of power continued to present 
challenges to the operations throughout the year. Both load-shedding 
and maintenance power interruptions resulted in significant downtime, 
along with frequent consequential chokes in the processing plants 
during the first half of the financial year and through to the third 
quarter. Some reprieve was experienced in the fourth quarter, 
however, when the power supply and reliability improved, aided by 
the COVID-19 associated reduced demand and lower economic 
activity.  Power supply will therefore remain constrained in the near 
term, with the Group focusing on mitigating any future impact.

Management continues to focus on improving communication and 
to engage with mandated and recognised forums from neighbouring 
communities in order to identify potential commercial opportunities 
and to manage expectations regarding employment and procurement 
spend. The relationship with these forums is critical, especially when 
their assistance is needed to manage community members that 
threaten to interrupt operations, as various neighbouring mines have 
experienced during the past year.

Retrenchments at the Group’s host mine, and the resultant 
production cuts at some of the Eastern and Western operations were 
experienced during the second and third quarters. The depressed 
chrome market environment will inevitably result in reduced 
underground mining at the host mine, thereby adversely impacting 
current arisings and RoM volumes at the Lannex and Mooinooi plants. 
As a result, these operations will continue to substitute current 
arisings and RoM sources with a combination of historic dump 
material and ad hoc open-cast RoM material from the host mines as 
alternative feed sources for the next 12 to 18 months. As anticipated 
by the Group, the lower grade and more oxidised dump and open-
cast material has had an adverse effect on the PGM feed grades 
and recoveries. Technical work is underway to assess potential 
improvements in surface ore blends and reagent regimes.

 The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in force majeure notices being 
issued by both smelters which receive PGM concentrate from the 

SDO. These were only fully lifted during May and June 2020. As a 

result, SDO operations had to construct temporary stockpile facilities 

and had to manage flotation mass pull in line with capacities in order 

to restart and continue with production post lockdown. Fortunately, 

all stockpiled material was dispatched to the smelters by the financial 

year-end.

CAPITAL PROJECTS

Following successful commissioning of optimisation projects at 

Millsell, Doornbosch and Tweefontein, the opportunity to roll this 

circuit modification out to Mooinooi and Lannex was identified. 

The Mooinooi project was initiated during HY2 and is expected to 

be commissioned during HY1 FY2021.

Commissioning of the new Lannex mill, as part of the Lannex plant 

life-extension project that was initiated in HY1, was delayed as a result 

of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented the delivery of the mill 

from China. However, following the production ramp-up, the project 

was completed and commissioning is now in progress.

A new secondary milling and flotation module was initiated at Lesedi 

during the fourth quarter, similar to the existing Project Echo modules 

rolled out between 2016 and 2020 to improve the upgrading and 

recovery of PGMs. This proposed MF2 extension was implemented 

to offset the delay of the Tweefontein Project Echo MF2 module due 

to power constraints . and is scheduled to commission within the next 

12 months.

The progressive research and development of the new chrome/coal 

pelletising joint operation project is advancing, with a view to adding 

value to beneficiated chrome fines fed to smelters. The Company has 

piloted the project with two different agglomeration techniques and 

has narrowed down technology options as part of the process design.  

13

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCEO’S REVIEW continued

s
t
n
e
c

S
U

15

12

9

6

3

0

Basic earnings per share (US cents)

6.37

FY2019

14.62

FY2020

Group Adjusted EBITDA ($000)

$30.2 million

FY2019

FY2020

$69.6 milliom

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The Group generates revenues in USD and incurs costs in ZAR, USD 
and GBP. The average USD:ZAR exchange rate was ZAR15.56:$1 
against the ZAR14.19:$1 recorded in the previous period, and the spot 
price was ZAR17.21:$1 at 30 June 2020 (2019: ZAR14.12:$1).

The average gross basket price for PGMs in the financial year was 
$2,015/ounce – a 58% increase on the previous year’s $1,277/ounce. 
This increase in the overall PGM basket was primarily due to an 
approximate 165% increase in the rhodium price to record highs 
during the year, and an approximate 47% increase in palladium prices. 
Respectively, rhodium and palladium constitute approximately 
12.5% and 25.5% .of the overall basket.

Revenue on 4E ounces delivered increased by 71% in dollar terms 
to $103.5 million year-on-year with revenue from by-products 
contributing $6.2 million to the total revenue. Net revenue, after 
adjustments for ounces delivered and not yet invoiced, increased 
62% on the previous year’s $70.5 million to $114.1 million.

Group cash costs increased by 14% year-on-year from $556/ounce 
(ZAR7,885/ounce) to $636/ounce (ZAR9,901/ounce). Operating 
costs increased 21% in ZAR (the functional currency) from 
ZAR544.4 million to ZAR660.3 million, attributable to the lower 
PGM ounce production associated with COVID-19, and above-
inflation electricity rate increases. Higher re-mining costs, incurred 
in order to supplement the lower RoM and current arisings from the 
host mines, were also significant contributors. 

General and administrative costs, included in the group cash costs 
are incurred in USD, GBP and ZAR and are impacted by exchange 
rate fluctuations over the reporting period. These costs increased 
8% in the reporting currency year-on-year mainly due to the increase 
in share-based payments (FY2020: $2.2 million; FY2019: $2.0 million).

14

All-in sustaining costs (AISC) increased by 13% to $654/ounce 
(ZAR10,181/ounce) from $578/ounce (ZAR8,201/ounce) as a result 
of the higher operational costs, and all-in costs (AIC) of 4E increased 
by 6% to $713/ounce (ZAR11,103/ounce) from $672/ounce 
(ZAR9,534/ounce) recorded in the previous period. This was largely 
owing to the 4% drop in ounces produced, increases in community 
support costs, royalty tax, operating costs, share-based payments 
and a decline in chrome income. 

Adjusted Group EBITDA (excluding impairments) increased 130% 
year-on year to $69.6 million (2019: $30.2 million). The taxation 
expense for the year was $15.0 million (2019: $6.2 million) (as per 
the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 
and includes deferred taxation movements) and depreciation of 
$5.8 million. The $9.5 million impairment on exploration and 
evaluation assets relates to the Aurora project and is a non-cash 
item. Further details on this impairment are provided below under 
Northern Limb projects.

The Group net profit for the year was $41.0 million, a 125% 
improvement on the previous year’s $18.2 million.

Capital expenditure was incurred in ZAR and was spent mainly on 
the Lannex plant life-extension project, Lesedi upgrades and stay-in-
business capital. The total spend for the year was ZAR84.2 million 
(FY2019: ZAR117.7 million). The total spend on Project Echo to date 
is ZAR139.3 million of the ZAR175.0 million budget. There was little 
capital spend on Project Echo during FY2020., However, construction 
on the Lesedi MF2 module (not included in the original Project Echo 
budget) will start during FY2021 and Tweefontein remains on hold 
until power can be secured. 

Basic earnings per share (EPS) improved 130% to 14.62 US cents per 
share from 6.37 US cents per share in FY2019.

Cash generated from operations before working capital movements 
was $71.4 million with net changes in working capital resulting in a 
reduction of $0.4 million. Net finance income amounted to 
$1.8 million and $14.8 million was paid in income taxes on taxable 
profits generated in South Africa during the year. 

Significant cash outflows during the year included $0.2 million on 
exploration activities (FY2019: $0.3 million), $5.2 million on capital 
projects and stay-in-business capital for the SDO plants (FY2019: 
$8.0 million). At corporate level, $2.9 million was paid out in dividends 
and 14.9 million shares were bought back at a cost of $8.5 million. 

The impact of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held at year end was 
a $6.6 million loss (FY2019: $0.04 million loss). This is as a result of the 
large portion of cash held in ZAR and the movement in the spot rate 
at 30 June (2020: ZAR17.21:$1; 2019: ZAR14.21:$1).

The Company remains debt-free with a cash balance of $55.9 million, 
allowing for continued funding of business improvement and capital 
expansion projects. 

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

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
MINERAL ASSET DEVELOPMENT AND OPENCAST 
MINING PROJECTS

The Group assesses the value of its mineral asset development 
projects on a regular and consistent basis, and as our Chairman 
alluded to in his report, we are changing our strategy in terms of our 
exploration projects and have initiated various studies in order to 
determine how best to optimize the respective projects by targeting 
more localized higher-grade areas and considering less capital-
intensive infrastructure and processes to unlock value. 

VOLSPRUIT PLATINUM OPPORTUNITY

During recent months, a review of the earlier Volspruit project 
feasibility study was initiated and specialist technical consultants have 
been appointed to assist with optimising the respective envisaged 
mining and metallurgical processes and to reaffirm various input 
parameters required for an updated investment case. 

With the Mining Right already awarded, the Company is busy with 
further investment towards obtaining key permitting requirements 
which include a Waste and Water Use licence for mining and on-site 
processing of the ore, and to finalise the amendment of the Social and 
Labour Plan (SLP) forming part of the Mining Right for a revised Local 
Economic Development (LED) project.

GRASVALLY CHROME OPPORTUNITY

As was reported in the 2019 financial year, consultants were 
appointed to assist with the sale of Grasvally, and a conditional cash 
offer from Forward Africa Mining (Pty) Ltd (FAM) to acquire 100% 
of the shares in and claims against Grasvally Chrome Mine (Pty) Ltd 
for a total consideration of ZAR115.0 million, settled in cash or other 
available funds was received. In terms of the agreement, FAM had 
eight months from the date of acceptance of the offer to fulfil standard 
conditions precedent. However, with the chrome market downturn 
and the primary financier withdrawing due to ill health, the parties 
have signed an Option Agreement valid for 12 months to purchase the 
asset. The price of the deal remains ZAR115.0 million and the Board’s 
intention to sell the asset has not changed. 

As with Volspruit, an application to extend the 12-month period to 
commence mining operations was made to the DMRE, the outcome 
of which will be decided upon the finalisation of the amendment of 
the SLP forming part of the Mining Right for a revised LED project.

NORTHERN LIMB PROJECTS

The Northern limb projects comprise the Hacra and Aurora 
(Pan Palladium (PPD)) PGM and Base Metal mining projects for 
which Mining Rights for PGMs and Base Metals have previously been 
awarded. The Hacra Mining Right covers both a relatively low-grade 
Platreef asset and a more attractive small portion of the Waterberg 
reef to the north of this property, which is bordering the Platinum 
Group Metals (PTM) Waterberg Mining Project, while the Aurora 
project is primarily a Platreef asset.

Historically the intention was that these projects would have been 
linked to the original Volspruit project in order to benefit from 
economies of scale and the envisaged downstream concentrate 

15

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCEO’S REVIEW continued

smelting and refining infrastructure that formed part of the Volspruit 

project scope at the time. However, based on the significant capital 

requirement for downstream smelting and refining infrastructure, and 

considering the respective local and global economic risks, the Company 

is considering alternative strategies which will involve lower risk and less 

capital-intensive options for developing these assets. 

The Board believes that both the Hacra and Aurora projects hold 

value, whether it is through future development or sale and given the 

re-evaluation of our assets, it may appear counter-intuitive to impair the 

Aurora asset. However, based on the current information available, the 

fair value of the Aurora project exceeds the book value by $9.5 million 

and the directors have taken a conservative approach and impaired this 

project to its fair value at 30 June 2020. However, Hacra is anticipated 

to have greater potential value and the Board is encouraged by the 

results published by PTM. 

Specialist consultants have been appointed to assist Sylvania in 

evaluating the respective resources and exploring the economic 

potential of these deposits through a step plan strategy with the view to 

possibly upgrading the mineral resource either for development or sale. 

CORPORATE ACTIVITIES

DIVIDEND APPROVAL AND PAYMENT

During the first quarter of the financial year, the Company announced 

that the Board of Sylvania recommended the payment of a cash 

dividend of 1.00 US cent (0.78 pence) per Ordinary $0.01 Share 

in the Company, which was tabled at the Company’s AGM held in 

November 2019. The dividend was paid on 29 November 2019.

The Board has furthermore recommended the payment of a cash 

dividend for FY2020 of 1.6 pence (~2.00 US cents) per Ordinary 

$0.01 Share, payable on 4 December 2020. This dividend will be 

tabled for information only at the Company’s Annual General Meeting 

to be convened for 27 November 2020. Payment of the dividend will 

be made to Shareholders on the register at the close of business on 

30 October 2020 and the ex-dividend date is 29 October 2020.

As announced in the Company’s interim results report released in 
February 2020, the Company had bought back 3,000,000 shares from 
the market, as well as 1,175,848 shares from employees under the 
Share Buyback Programme, all of which were kept in Treasury.

A total of 275,000 shares were issued to the directors of the 
Company and 1,000,000 shares were issued to a former director 
following the exercise of share options under the Company’s Share 
Option Plan (the Plan). The plan was cancelled in December 2017 
and these were the last outstanding options under the plan.

Share buybacks continued in HY2 and 10,090,000 shares were 
repurchased, comprising 4,875,000 shares from the market at an 
average price of 45.95 pence per Ordinary Share and 5,215,000 from 
a former director of the Company at the 30-day value weighted 
average price (VWAP) as at the close of business on 30 March 2020 
of 49.00 pence per Ordinary Share.

The Company also relaunched the Share Buyback Programme 
(the Programme) for all certificated non-UK shareholders who hold 
175,000 shares or less in the Company, which has run from 3 March 
2020 and will conclude on 30 September, after an extension to the 
programme was announced. As at the date of this report, a total 
of 878,905 Ordinary Shares have been bought back at a price of 
A$808,153. 

During the course of the financial year, a total of 2,879,115 shares 
were cancelled and approximately 7,500,000 of the Ordinary Shares 
acquired under the various Share Buyback Programmes were 
allocated to a new Group employee share trust for South African 
operational and support employees, known as the Employee Dividend 
Entitlement Scheme. These shares will be held in Treasury and 
dividends resulting therefrom will be available for distribution under 
the trust rules.

Following the above transactions and as of the date of this report, the 
Company’s issued share capital amounts to 286,845,657 Ordinary 
Shares of which a total of 15,200,273 Ordinary Shares are held in 
Treasury. Therefore, the total number of Ordinary Shares with voting 
rights in Sylvania is 271,645,384 Ordinary Shares.

TRANSACTIONS IN OWN SHARES

DIRECTORSHIP CHANGE

One of the Company’s strategic goals is to return capital to 

shareholders and continue to review opportunities to do so, as and 

when they arise. 

At the close of FY2019, shares in the Company were valued at 30.25 

pence per Ordinary Share and at the close of FY2020, this appreciated 

36% to 41.00 pence per Ordinary Share. 

As announced in the Company’s interim results report, the Company 
welcomed two new Directors to the Sylvania Board. Jaco Prinsloo was 
appointed as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer 
(CEO) of the Company, and Lewanne Carminati as the Finance 
Director (FD) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective 
1 March 2020. Jaco Prinsloo’s appointment followed the retirement 
of Terry McConnachie effective 29 February 2020.

16

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONMEDIA ALLEGATIONS

During the first quarter, the Company became aware of references 

in the media to the Company and its relationship with Samancor 

Chrome Limited (Samancor) emerging from a court application by 

the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) 

which sought to compel Samancor to produce accounting records for 

a number of transactions entered into over a period of time. Details 

relating to these transactions were fully disclosed at the time and 

Sylvania has provided all available information to Samancor to assist 

them in their internal investigation. 

THANK YOU AND OUTLOOK

As we look back at the past year and especially the extremely 

challenging last quarter with its unprecedented nature and 

circumstances under which the operations had to perform, Sylvania’s 

management teams and employees have to be commended for their 

tireless efforts to balance production with the health, safety and 

wellbeing of all employees and their families. This will remain our first 

priority, even beyond the current pandemic.

Based on the level of expertise, experience and commitment of our 

management and employees and recognising their collective ability 

to embrace the challenges of the past year, I am confident that we 

are able to deal with the challenges ahead and I expect our team to 

deliver on our target of approximately 70,000 ounces of PGMs for the 

coming year.

In closing, I also feel it is appropriate to thank Terry McConnachie as 

the outgoing CEO personally, and on behalf of all Sylvania employees 

and management for the leadership and support during his 14-year 

tenure at Sylvania. He can be especially proud of the past six-year run 

of consecutive PGM production and EBITDA growth, frequently in 

very challenging circumstances. 

We wish Terry all of the best for the future and any endeavours he 

might pursue in his retirement.

Jaco Prinsloo
Chief Executive Officer

17

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONSUSTAINABILITY

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

significant health or environmental incidents reported 
during the year and both the Tweefontein and 
Doornbosch operations have achieved the significant 
industry milestone of eight years’ lost-time injury (LTI) 
free during June 2020. Millsell has remained LTI-free 
for more than five years.

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. 

The results of our stakeholder engagement are 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 
financial statements, as well as an annual report including the full 
year financial statements. As and when management and our 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 the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Members of 
the senior executive management team use regular investor roadshows 
after the half-year and annual results, and at other times when 
appropriate as further means of communication. All the presentations, 
announcements and reports are placed on the Company’s website 
where they are available to the public at any time. Whenever possible, 
shareholders’ queries are addressed via email. The Company remains 
committed to sharing and releasing material information to shareholders 
and other stakeholders.

In an effort to improve communication with shareholders, and given 
shareholders’ needs for easily accessible information, management 
is considering the introduction of a forum for communication with 
shareholders via the Company website or other platforms. We will 
keep shareholders apprised of progress.

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 regarding unemployment, business 
opportunities, training and education and the Company actively assists 
where the opportunity allows.

The Company remains fatality-free since inception in 2006, but the 
operations regrettably recorded three LTI’s for this financial year: 
one each at Lesedi, Lannex and Mooinooi during the second, third 
and fourth quarters respectively. A key focus area for management 
is to ensure that every LTI that is recorded is fully investigated and 
corrective measures are implemented to ensure no recurrences are 
experienced in future.

Since the emergence of COVID-19 in the country, management has 
focused on identifying and minimising the various risks posed by the 
pandemic to employees and contractors. Besides the various systems 
and physical measures being put in place to safeguard employees and 
curb the spread of the virus, management also assisted employees 
by maintaining full salaries during the COVID-19 lockdown period 
and offering social relief to neighbouring communities in terms of the 
distribution of food parcels at a time when many people in the country 
lost their income.

The Company has been very fortunate that it has had only 14 
confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded amongst its employees to date, 
with all affected employees thankfully recovered and returned to work 
after experiencing mild symptoms of the virus.

Focusing on and ensuring that employees’ health and safety remains 
a priority, especially during the challenging times, and to ensure full 
compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation and 
procedures, requires a relentless effort. Management teams across 
the Group’s operations remain committed to this goal. Through the 
collaborative efforts of management and all employees across the 
operations, we strive to maintain high safety standards and a safe 
working environment at all operations.

SAFETY AND HEALTH

EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITIES

While dealing with the emergence of COVID-19 and 
its associated challenges, the operations continue to 
focus on health, safety and environmental compliance. 
The Company is proud to report that there were no 

Our approach

The Organisation’s HR strategy follows our business strategy with a 
key focus on performance and efficiencies. Our employment policies, 
procedures and practices take into account and comply with the 

18

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONrelevant labour legislation of South Africa. Our recruitment initiatives 
focus on local communities in areas surrounding our operations.

Employees

Company operates. The current programmes focus on enhancing skills 
in various fields, namely Electrical and Fitting. These programmes will 
run over a 36-month period with the first candidates having started 
in May 2019. The learnerships include courses for electrical trades, in 
which two candidates have participated and one fitter trade, in which 
one candidate has participated.

Internship and experiential programmes

In support of our social drive with local communities, we 
introduced opportunities for internships and workplace experience. 
The internships will run over a 12-month period. 

At the end of FY2020, the Company employee complement totalled 
570. Wherever possible, employees and contractors are sourced from 
the local communities of the various operations.

In all areas in which we operate, a representative workforce is a 
moral and legislative imperative for the organisation. Sylvania actively 
supports the Employment Equity Act and has established structures 
in place 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. These agreements regulate the industrial 
relations and include provision for consultation and negotiation. There 
were no strikes or lockouts during the financial year. We endeavour to 
maintain peace and stability in our workforce at all times

Upskilling

The organisation implements a number of programmes to build 
capacity and enhance skills development, with a particular focus on 
the youth. All training and development programmes initiated are 
aligned with the Company’s strategic and operational goals. These 
include skills development, learnerships, internships and supervisory 
and leadership development.

A number of training and development initiatives have been 
introduced to our staff. All the training programmes are credit 
bearing and are accredited through the Mining Qualification Authority 
(MQA). As an organisation we are committed to the development 
of our staff and local communities. The organisation has an active 
Skills development and Employment Equity forum. The forum meets 
on a regular basis to address any skills and equity matters or any 
improvements that may be required. 

A total of 227 employees attended training sessions over the financial 
year. Much of the training includes statutory health and safety 
development programmes. 

Learnerships

Sylvania introduced a formal learnership programme that is specifically 
aimed at community members from the local areas in which the 

19

Communities

Ongoing engagement with local communities is necessary to 
understand, manage and respond to community concerns and 
expectations. As a Company we regularly support various local 
development projects as approved by our host mine. 

Sylvania introduced a Milling and Floatation programme as part of 
the development drive for the local communities surrounding our 
operations. The duration of the programme is typically for a six-month 
period. Seven individuals have successfully completed the programme 
to date, with a further 10 delegates still in the programme. Sylvania is 
pleased to advise that we were able to absorb seven of these students 
into permanent roles within our operations.

During the financial year, Sylvania was involved in a number of 
community development programmes. These initiatives included:

•  Monthly feeding scheme for home-based care.

•  Assisting youth with various school projects – the Company 
donated 103 pairs of shoes to two primary schools and also 
provided the sports academy with 30 pairs of soccer boots.

•  The Company assisted and provided 200 food parcels to 
communities in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

•  The Company donated a 10,000-litre water tank with steel stands 

to provide running water in a local community.

The Com pa ny a nt ic ipates 
rolling out a n um be r 
o f new com m unit y 
deve lopme nt init iat ives 
in F Y2021.

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONENVIRONMENT

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

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, and waste 
removal is conducted 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 figures of 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 through either 
its products (Cr2O3 concentrate or PGM concentrate) – or it is 
lost to the process (consumed) or alternatively through the tailings 
stream. The 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 the 
dewatering of the host mine underground mining areas.

TOTAL WATER VOLUME IN CUBIC METRES* (m3)

Water consumed in products

Water deposited onto tailings dams

FY 2020

60,500

11,727,000

FY 2019

62,000

12,067,000

FY 2018

72,060

11,807,000

The reduction in water consumed and deposited is attributable to the change in feed sources and to the lower requirements when the plants were placed on care and maintenance as a 
result of the COVID-19 lockdown.

SYLVANIA METALS ENERGY CONSUMPTION

During the year our electrical teams continued to endeavour to streamline the power supply process in the 
interests of both the operations and the environment.

AVERAGE POWER CONSUMPTION PER PLANT

Plant

Millsell

Mooinooi

Lannex

Doornbosch

Tweefontein

Lesedi

FY 2020

kW Power Factor

1,720

3,000

1,490

1,910

1,280

1,270

0.96

0.95

0.75

0.77

0.76

0.94

KVA

1,790

3,160

1,990

2,480

1,690

1,350

KVA

1,750

3,430

1,810

2,710

1,720

1,320

20

FY 2019

kW Power Factor

1,680

3,210

1,390

2,050

1,490

9,50

0.96

0.94

0.77

0.76

0.87

0.72

KVA

1,870

2,750

1,640

2,690

1,820

1,160

FY 2018

kW Power Factor

1,850

2,710

1,250

2,100

1,480

840

0.99

0.98

0.76

0.78

0.81

0.72

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONThe plants are running consistently despite the lockdown period 

Historically, Tweefontein and Lannex have been co-generating 

declared by the South African Government from the end of March, 

electricity. From March 2020 however, the main supply to Lannex 

where approximately six weeks of operations were lost. The plants 

was upgraded and the need to co-generate fell away. Tweefontein 

were placed in a “care and maintenance” mode for the duration of 

co-generates approximately 10% of their power, but this requirement 

lockdown, using minimal power.

will fall away once work at the national power utility’s local substation 

is complete by the end of the calendar year. The generators at 

Cable theft is an ongoing threat and as many practical solutions are 

Tweefontein will thus become standby units only.

being employed as possible to prevent this.

Power Factor Correction has been installed at Lesedi to accommodate 

the newly installed ball mill and spiral plant, resulting in a very minor 

Power factor correction equipment is planned to start at Lannex 

by Q1 FY2021. Doornbosch is set to commence shortly thereafter. 

The result will be to reduce the plants’ overall energy consumption, 

overall consumption increase. The Mooinooi Power factor has been 

making this available for the host mines.

set to run consistently at 0.95. 

The Doornbosch plant consumption has been consistent but the host 

The new dedicated power supply at Millsell has resulted in a more 

mine was experiencing power constraints from the national power 

reliable source with fewer outages, barring cable failures due to water 

utility supply. A generator was installed. Since the beginning of the year 

ingress into joints in the main supply cable. The return water system at 

however, the mine’s consumption was reduced owing to operational 

the site is now being supplied by the same source as the plant to avoid 

issues. There is now an adequate supply for the Sylvania plant and the 

stoppages due to council outages.

generator will be used for standby purposes.

21

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONDIRECTORS’ REPORT

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 2020. 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.

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 

(Independent Non-executive Chairman)

TM McConnachie
(Chief Executive Officer)- 
retired effective 29 February 2020

RA Williams
(Independent Non-executive Director)

E Carr 
(Independent Non-executive Director)

JJ Prinsloo
(Chief Executive Officer) – 
effective 1 March 2020

L Carminati
(Chief Financial Officer) – 
effective 1 March 2020

The directors of 
Sylvania were in office 
from 1 July 2019 unless 
otherwise stated.

22

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONINFORMATION ON DIRECTORS

SA MURRAY

RA WILLIAMS 

E CARR

Mr Murray has over 30 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, Barplats, 
and Middelburg Steel and Alloys, before 
joining Aquarius Platinum Limited in 
2001 as Chief Executive Officer, holding 
that position until 2012. He was a non-
executive director of Talvivaara Mining 
Company Plc, the former Finnish nickel 
miner, and is the Chairman of Imritec 
Limited, an aluminium by-products 
recycler.

Special responsibilities
Independent Non-executive Chairman 
of the Board

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 AfriTin Mining Limited and 

Digby Wells Environmental and 

part-time CFO of a privately-owned 

mining company.

Special responsibilities
Chairman of the Audit and Remuneration 

Member of the Remuneration Committee

Committees

Ms Carr, who joined the Board of Sylvania Platinum 
Limited on 1 May 2015, 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 30 years of experience 
within the resources sector having worked worldwide 
on a host of large-scale mining operations. She was 
appointed Finance Director of Cluff Resources in 
1993 and has, since that time, held several executive 
directorships in the resources sector, including CFO 
for Monterrico Metals plc, the AIM-listed copper 
exploration company developing the Rio Blanco 
project in Peru. Her first non-executive role was for 
Banro Corp in 1998 and, more recently, she has been 
a non-executive director for Talvivaara Mining Co, the 
Finnish nickel company. Currently, Ms Carr is a non-
executive director of Bacanora Lithium plc.

Special responsibilities
Member of the Audit Committee

JJ PRINSLOO

L CARMINATI 

Mr Prinsloo was appointed as CEO and admitted to the Sylvania 
Board in March 2020. Since January 2012, he has served in senior 
positions at Sylvania, initially as Executive Officer: Operations 
and as Managing Director of the South African Operations 
from March 2014, until his appointment to his current position. 
Prior to joining Sylvania, Jaco was principal metallurgist at Anglo 
American for Anglo Operations Limited, which followed eight 
years at Anglo American Platinum Limited from 2002 in various 
senior metallurgical positions across the group. During the past 
20 years in the mining industry he has been exposed to various 
operational and technical aspects of both the South African 
as well as international mining landscape and he has gained 
experience in both the precious and base metals sectors. 

Jaco is a metallurgical engineer and holds a Bachelors 
of Engineering in Metallurgy from Pretoria University, a 
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration and an MBA 
from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (UP). 

Special responsibilities
Chief Executive Officer – appointed effective 1 March 2020

Ms Carminati is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Postgraduate 
Certificate in Mining Tax. She joined Sylvania in 2009 and in 2011 was 
appointed as Executive Officer: Finance for the South African operations 
before being appointed CFO and admitted to the Sylvania Board in March 
2020. She has gained substantial and diverse experience in the various 
aspects of financial management at a senior level, with a particular focus 
on compliance, governance and financial reporting. She has also taken a 
leadership role in corporate finance transactions.

Special responsibilities
Chief Financial Officer – appointed effective 1 March 2020

COMPANY SECRETARY
The Company Secretary role is held by Conyers Corporate Services 
(Bermuda) Limited (previously known as Codan Services 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

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONDIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

BUSINESS REVIEW

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Risk management is the responsibility of all employees, 
guided by the Board of Directors and Audit Committee. 
Sylvania is exposed to risks in the mining and exploration 
industry as well as a variety of other risks not specific 
to the industry. The Board and Management assess the 
ongoing risks on a regular basis including the impact 
of short-term risks with potential long-term impacts 
on the Group such as the coronavirus pandemic. Risk 
assessments are undertaken on a regular basis. Internal 
and external risks are identified and the impact thereof 

considered on the Group business model.

Risks identified are linked to the Group deliverables in 
order to ensure continuous mitigation of these risks, 
which is aligned with corporate strategic objectives.  

Principal risk factors that the Board considers may 
affect the performance of the Group are detailed 
below. The risks described below are not exhaustive 
and do not take into account risks the Board is 

unaware of. Immaterial risks are not disclosed below.  

The risks below are not presented 
in any order of priority.

COVID-19

Sustained resources

Capital management

  Risk and impact

  Risk and impact

  Risk and impact

At the time of release of this report, the coronavirus 
pandemic is considered a risk, resulting in great 
uncertainty and possible long-term effects on 
the Group. Employee safety and wellbeing, group 
cashflows and sustainable operations are all potentially 
affected by the spread of COVID-19 and cannot 
be fully quantified at this stage. The South African 
government-implemented State of Disaster and the 
constantly changing regulations aimed at safeguarding 
citizens and rebuilding the economy is likely to add 
to this risk.

There is little that can be done to control risks of 
this nature and managing the risk is more about an 
adequate response process.

  Mitigation

As the cash generating operations are in South Africa, 
much of the planning is guided by the government-
imposed regulations, with strict protocols from the 
DMRE for the mining industry as well as the procedures 
and practices required to be adhered to at our host 
mine and the smelters. 

The safety and wellbeing of our employees is our 
first priority. The supply and wearing of protective 
equipment and adherence to strict hygiene rules 
are mandatory. Social distancing is required on all 
operations and all corporate and administrative 
employees are still encouraged to work from home 
where possible. 

The Group’s strong liquidity has enabled it to continue 
to operate through these unprecedented times and 
prudent cash management should allow the Group to 
continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. 

The retreatment of dump material has a 
finite life and the processing of current 
arisings alone is not sustainable. It is essential 
for the long-term continuation of the SDO 
that additional feed material is found and 
committed to the plants or the mining assets 
are further explored for development. 

The selection of capital projects 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

  Mitigation

The majority of operations have dump 
resources which will still provide several years 
of production. The risk is partly mitigated by 
the addition of 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 Project Echo expansion project will 
extend the life of the SDO and maintain ounce 
production for the coming years. Technologies 
and production improvements for optimisation 
and improved efficiencies are investigated and 
implemented where considered beneficial.

Opportunities to acquire additional dump 
resources and the ability to extend the life of 
the SDO are being investigated continuously 
by the Board and Senior Management. The 
research and development project undertaken 
so far is yielding promising results and if 
successful will enable the Group to diversify 
into other areas and commodities. 

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

Any capital expansion projects are 
funded out of surplus cash although 
pipeline finance is an option. 

The current PGM prices have 
allowed the Board to reconsider 
the possible development of its 
mining assets. These projects will 
be carefully considered and must 
meet the required returns before 
being pursued. The Board is taking a 
phased approach to these projects 
and will be reassessing their potential 
on an ongoing basis. 

24

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCyber security

Country and 
infrastructure risk

Commodity price 
and exchange rate 
fluctuations

Retention of 
key staff

  Risk and impact
Cyber threats are growing 
rapidly as the digital landscape 
grows. These range from 
business interruptions, data 
breaches to cyber fraud 
and ransomware. A cyber 
incident could be malicious or 
unintentional, but the impact 
can be the same. This risk has 
increased since the outbreak 
of the coronavirus pandemic 
as employees are encouraged 
to work from home where 
possible.

  Mitigation

Cyber vulnerability assessments 
are carried out on a regular 
basis. The Group has invested 
in improved cyber security and 
continues to upgrade all systems 
where necessary. Focus is 
placed on continued education 
for all employees as to the 
risks as well as physical 
security measures. 

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

  Mitigation
The Company looks to 
incentivise key employees 
through the granting of 
bonus share awards, review 
peer group structures and 
benchmarking to ensure 
salaries are competitive, 
provide a safe and rewarding 
working environment 
and provide training and 
development programmes. 
Succession planning is also 
on the agenda at Board 
and Remuneration 
Committee meetings. 

  Risk and impact
Metal prices are subject to 
high levels of volatility and are 
impacted by a number of factors 
that are outside the control of 
the Board and Management. 
Cash generation, profitability 
and future growth of the Group 
is linked to the PGM price and 
the USD/ZAR exchange rate. 
The PGM basket price has been 
favourable over the past financial 
year, but any downturn in the 
price could have a significant 
impact on the Group’s cashflows. 
As the Group’s operations are all 
South Africa based, the majority 
of the operating and capital 
expenditure is incurred in ZAR, 
while revenues and reporting are 
USD based, exposing the Group 
to the volatility of ZAR/USD 
exchange rate. 

  Mitigation

The Board and management 
monitor the market in which 
the Group operates closely. 
Long term financial planning is 
undertaken and production is 
carefully planned and focussed on 
the extraction of low-cost ounces 
through production efficiencies 
and recovery optimisation. 
Operational costs are carefully 
monitored and managed. Cost 
saving strategies are investigated 
and reviewed regularly.

  Risk and impact

The Group’s operations are all in 
South Africa. The socio-economic 
environment as well as community 
unrest in South Africa continues 
to be a concern for the sector in 
general. The spread of COVID-19 may 
contribute even further to low growth 
in South Africa. Reliance on third 
party providers for the availability and 
access to power and water continue 
to be limiting factors in some of 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 may 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. 
The increased risk of power cuts which 
the country is currently facing has 
necessitated management to investigate 
alternate power sources where not 
already installed to ensure plant uptime 
is maintained and capital projects are 
not placed at further risk. Boreholes 
have been drilled at operations where 
water supply is constrained and 
alternate water supplies identified 
where possible. The Board monitors 
the political environment and regulatory 
changes closely, considers the impact on 
the Company and takes the necessary 
action when required. 

“The increased risk of power cuts which the country is currently facing has 
necessitated management to investigate alternate power sources where not 
already installed to ensure plant uptime is maintained and capital projects are 
not placed at further risk.”

25

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONDIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

GROUP FINANCIAL RESULTS

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

Gross basket price

Net Revenue

Group cash cost

Group cash cost

Gross profit

General administration costs

Profit before income tax expense

Adjusted Group EBITDA

Cash generated from operations (before working capital changes)

Changes in working capital

Net finance income received 

Taxation paid

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

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

Net Revenue

Net Revenue increased 62% year-on-year mainly due to the higher 
gross basket price of $2,015/ounce against $1,277/ounce recorded in 
the prior year.

Operating costs

Operating costs for the Group increased 26% year-on-year to 
ZAR9,901/ounce compared to ZAR7,885/ounce in the previous year. 
The all-in sustaining cost (AISC) for the Group was ZAR10,181/ounce 
and an all-in cost (AIC) of ZAR11,103/ounce for the financial year. This 
compares to the AISC and AIC for 30 June 2019 of ZAR8,201/ounce 
and ZAR9,534/ounce respectively.

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

An amount of $9,504,774 was impaired on the Aurora project 
(part of the Northern Limb projects) during the financial year.

2019 ± % change

$/oz

$ 000

ZAR/oz

$/oz

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

T

Oz

%

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

2020

2,015

114,092

9,901

636

66,062

(2,169)

55,947

69,589

71,372

(381)

1,788

(14,756)

40,642

55,877

1,277

70,538

7,885

556

25,683

(2,003)

24,394

30,242

29,928

(5,349)

694

(8,093)

7,810

21,797

2,341,452

2,328,352

69,026

57%

5,200

212

5,412

72,090

49%

8,042

253

8,295

58%

62%

26%

14%

157%

8%

129%

130%

138%

-93%

158%

82%

420%

156%

1%

-4%

16%

-35%

-16%

-35%

impacted by exchange rate fluctuations over the reporting period. 
These costs increased 8% year-on-year in the reporting currency.

Mining and income tax 

Income tax paid for the financial year amounted to ZAR229.7 million 
($14.8 million) compared to ZAR114.9 million ($8.1 million) for the 
previous financial year, as a result of increased taxable profits at the 
operations and after mining capital allowances. Income tax is paid in 
ZAR on taxable profits generated at the South African operations.

Profit

The consolidated profit before tax of the Group at 30 June 2020 was 
$55.9 million (FY2019: $24.4 million), a 129% improvement on the 
prior year. Strict cost controls at the operations and the increased 
revenue contributed to the increase in profits. Adjusted Group 
EBITDA improved 130% to $69.6 million.

Capital

General and administration

These costs relate mainly to listing costs, share registry costs, 
advisory and public relations costs and consulting fees. General and 
administrative costs are incurred in USD, GBP and ZAR and are 

Capital spend decreased during the current financial year from 
ZAR117.7 million ($8.3 million) in the prior year to ZAR84.2 million 
($5.4 million). Capital was spent on the Lannex plant life-extension 
project, Lesedi upgrades and stay in business capital (SIB).

26

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
exercise of share options under the Company’s Share Option Plan 
(the Plan). The Plan was cancelled in December 2017 and these were 
the last outstanding options under the Plan.

Share buybacks continued in HY2 and 10,090,000 shares were 
repurchased comprising 4,875,000 shares from the market at an 
average price of 45.95 pence per Ordinary Share and 5,215,000 from 
a former director of the Company at the 30-day value weighted 
average price (VWAP) as at the close of business on 30 March 2020 
of 49.00 pence per Ordinary Share.

The Company also relaunched the share buyback programme 
(the Programme) for all certificated non-UK shareholders who hold 
175,000 shares or less in the Company which has run from 3 March 
2020 and will conclude, after an extension to the programme was 
announced to 30 September 2020. As of the date of this report, a 
total of 878,905 Ordinary Shares have been bought back.

During the course of the financial year, a total of 2,879,115 shares 
were cancelled and approximately 7,500,000 of the Ordinary Shares 
acquired under the various Share Buyback Programmes were allocated 
to a new Group employee share trust for South African operational 
and support employees (Employee Dividend Entitlement Scheme).

Following the above transactions and as of the date of this report, the 
Company’s issued share capital amounts to 286,845,657 Ordinary 
Shares of which a total of 15,200,273 Ordinary Shares are held in 
Treasury. Therefore, the total number of Ordinary Shares with voting 
rights in Sylvania is 271,645,384 Ordinary Shares.

Directorship Change

As was announced in the Company’s interim results report, the 
Company welcomed two new Directors to the Sylvania Board. 
Jaco Prinsloo was appointed as Managing Director (MD) and Chief 
Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company, and Lewanne Carminati as 
the Finance Director (FD) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective 
1 March 2020. Jaco Prinsloo’s appointment followed the retirement of 
Terry McConnachie effective 29 February 2020.

Cash

The cash balance at 30 June 2020 was $55.9 million, including 
$0.8 million in financial guarantees (FY2019: $1.0 million). Cash 
generated from operations before working capital movements 
was $71.4 million, with net changes in working capital resulting 
in a reduction of $0.4 million. Net finance income amounted to 
$1.8 million and $14.8 million was paid in income taxes during the year. 
Major spend items include $0.2 million spent on exploration activities 
(FY2019: $0.3 million), $5.2 million on capital projects and SIB for the 
SDO plants (FY2019: $8.0 million). At corporate level, $2.9 million was 
paid out in dividends and 14.9 million shares were bought back at a 
cost of $8.5 million. The impact of exchange rate fluctuations on cash 
held at year end was $6.6 million loss (FY2019: $0.04 million loss).

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

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND 
EXPLORATION

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

CORPORATE MATTERS

Dividend Approval and Payment

During the first quarter of the financial year, the Company announced 
that the Directors of Sylvania recommended the payment of a cash 
dividend of 1.00 US cent (0.78 pence) per Ordinary$0.01 Share 
in the Company, which was tabled at the Company’s AGM held in 
November 2019 and paid on 29 November 2019.

The Board has furthermore recommended the payment of a cash 
dividend for FY2020 of 1.6 pence (~2.00 US cents) per Ordinary 
Share, which will be tabled at the next AGM to be held on Friday 
27 November and paid thereafter on 4 December 2020. Payment of 
the dividend will be made to shareholders on the register at the close 
of business on 30 October 2020 and the ex-dividend date is 
29 October 2020.

Transaction in Own Shares

One of the Company’s strategic goals is to return capital to 
shareholders and continue to review opportunities to do so, as and 
when they arise. 

At the close of FY2019, shares in the Company were valued at 
30.25 pence per Ordinary Share and at the close of FY2020, this 
appreciated 36% to 41.00 pence per Ordinary Share. 

As announced in the Company’s interim results report released in 
February 2020, the Company had bought back 3,000,000 shares from 
the market, as well as 1,175,848 shares from employees under the 
Share Buyback Programme, all of which were kept in Treasury.

275,000 shares were issued to the directors of the Company and 
1,000,000 shares were issued to a former director following the 

27

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONDIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

Media Allegations

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

During the first quarter, the Company became aware of references 
in the media to the Company and its relationship with Samancor 
Chrome Limited (Samancor) emerging from a court application by 
the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) 
which sought to compel Samancor to produce accounting records for 
a number of transactions entered into over a period of time. Details 
relating to these transactions were fully disclosed at the time and 
Sylvania has provided all available information to Samancor to assist 
them in their internal investigation. 

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.

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 and its operations.

MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS

During the financial year under review, there were three formal 
Directors’ meetings, a budget review meeting and four information/
strategy sessions. 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

The number of formal meetings of the Group’s Board of Directors attended by each Director was:

Board Meetings

Meetings

Meetings

Meetings

Audit Committee 

Remuneration Committee 

Information/strategy  

Number of 

Number of 

Number of 

Number of 

meetings 

Number of 

meetings 

Number of 

meetings 

Number of 

meetings 

Number of 

eligible to 

attend

meetings 

attended

eligible to 

attend

meetings 

attended

eligible to 

attend

meetings 

attended

eligible to 

attend

meetings 

attended

TM McConnachie

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

JJ Prinsloo1 

L Carminati1

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

–

–

4

4

4

4

–

–

4

4

4

4

–

3

3

3

–

–

–

3

3

3

–

–

1

5

5

5

5

5

1

5

5

5

5

5

1 Meetings prior to 1 March 2020 were attended as invitees.

28

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
 
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

2020

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

JJ Prinsloo

L Carminati

Common 

Shares

1,025,000

1,092,000

25,000

959,894

862,081

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 

$

Bonus1 
$

Directors’ fees 
$

Share-based 
payment

Equity shares/share 
options2 
$

336,669

80,340

–

–

24,000

73,489
514,498

827,299
1,341,797

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

184,574
184,574

–

25,000

125,000

85,000

75,000

25,000
335,000

–
335,000

99,590

23,198

12,449

12,449

12,449

21,349
181,480

181,252
362,732

Total

$

436,257

128,538

137,449

97,449

111,449

119,834

1,030,978

1,193,125

2,224,103

Directors

TM McConnachie

JJ Prinsloo

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

L Carminati

Sub-total

Other key management 
Total

1 Cash bonuses were awarded to Directors and key personnel based on individual performance.
2 Share-based payments include shares issued and bonus shares granted – refer to note 27. 

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE 
OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

GOING CONCERN

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.

The Group identified the principal risk and uncertainties related 
to the COVID-19 pandemic. Management has produced forecasts 
and budgets that have been sensitised to reflect plausible 
downside scenarios as a result of COVID-19 and its impact on 
the global economy.

The Group has sufficient cash reserves and resources to continue to 
meet its obligations even if operations were to be placed on care and 
maintenance for 12 months.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread economic 
impact across the globe, the Group is in the fortunate position to 
operate in an essential industry and have a lower risk business model 

29

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

that has allowed for continued operations. Management monitors the 
government announcements, the industry, markets and operations to 
ensure any risk is monitored and mitigated where possible.

After reviewing the effects of COVID-19, 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 at least 12 months from date of signing the 
financial statements. 

EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING 
PERIOD

The directors are not aware of any matter or circumstance arising 
since the end of the reporting period, not otherwise dealt with in the 
financial statements, which significantly affects the financial position of 
the Group or the results of its operations.

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.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Jaco Prinsloo

Chief Executive Officer

8 September 2020

30

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

two Executive Directors. It is important that the Board has the right 
mix of skills and experience to deliver on the strategy of the Company. 
The details of the Board members are outlined in the Director’s 
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

JJ Prinsloo

Chief Executive Officer

RA Williams

Independent Non-executive Director

E Carr

Independent Non-executive Director

L Carminati

Chief Finance Officer

The Board met eight times during the financial year. Three formal 
Board meetings, one budget review meeting, one strategy meeting 
to review the current and future strategies on returning value to the 
shareholders and Company growth and three information 
update meetings.

The Board has not appointed a Senior Independent Director but will 
do so if and when it is appropriate considering the Company’s size 
and stage.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The Board undertakes on-going risk assessments 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.

INTRODUCTION

The Company is quoted on AIM, and in accordance with the AIM 
Rules for Companies (the AIM Rules), has elected to adopt the 
Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Corporate Governance Code 
2018 (the Code) for Smaller Companies. In accordance with the AIM 
Rules this was adopted and implemented from September 2018, and 
is disclosed on the Company’s website (https://www.sylvaniaplatinum.
com/governance/corporate-governance).

The Board is committed to maintaining the highest standards of 
corporate governance throughout its operations and to ensuring that 
all of its practices are conducted transparently, ethically and efficiently 
to ultimately deliver shareholder value. The Company believes in 
scrutinising all aspects of its business and ensuring an effective and 
efficient management framework as recommended by the Code. 
The Board and management continue to reflect, analyse and improve 
the Company’s procedures resulting in the continued success of the 
Company and improving shareholder value.

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

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

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INTERNAL CONTROLS

The Board’s role is to provide entrepreneurial leadership to the 
Group within a framework of prudent and effective controls which 
enables risks to be assessed and managed and is responsible for the 
proper management of the Company by developing, reviewing and 
approving the Company’s strategy, budgets and corporate actions. 
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 five members being the independent non-
executive Chairman, two independent non-executive Directors, and 

The effectiveness of the internal controls is overseen by the Board and 
is operationally monitored by 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, but has engaged an independent firm to assist with 
this evaluation and testing and to determine vulnerabilities within the 
Group. The planning and reporting of the internal audit function is 
monitored by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors and is 
regularly discussed with the Group’s external auditors.

31

Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

Executive 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 and Remuneration Committees. 
Board appointments, succession planning, corporate governance and 
sustainability issues are dealt with by the full Board of Directors.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee has been established to assist the Board of 
the Company in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight 
responsibilities in relation to the Company’s financial reports and 
financial reporting process, internal control structure and the internal 
and external audit process.

The role of the Audit Committee includes, 
amongst others, the following:

•  monitor and review the integrity of the financial reporting 
of the Company, reviewing significant financial reporting 
judgments;

•  review the Company’s insurances on behalf of the Board, 

noting that the Company’s risks in general is are addressed by 
the Board itself; 

•  monitor, review and oversee the external audit function 

including matters concerning appointment and remuneration, 
independence and non-audit services;

•  monitor, review and oversee the internal audit function and 

the financial control system;

•  monitor and review compliance with the Company’s Code of 

Conduct and Whistleblower Policy; and

The Audit Committee members are Roger Williams (Chairman) and 
Eileen Carr, both of whom are qualified accountants. 

•  perform such other functions as assigned by law, the 

Company’s Byelaws, or the Board.

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.

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

August 2019

November 2019

February 2020

May 2020

•  Annual Report for the year ended 

30 June 2019;

•  External audit report on 

the Group Annual Financial 
Statements for the year ended 
30 June 2019;

•  Going concern and working 

capital requirement/cash forecast;

•  Impairment; and 
•  Internal audit update

•  External auditor’s strategy 
and planning report for the 
Half year review;

•  Half year results and report to 

31 December 2019;

•  External audit report on half 

•  Directors and Officers 

year;

Liability Insurance;
•  Internal audit update; 
•  IT Governance; and 
•  Risk review

•  Half year Impairment and going 

concern assessments; and
•  Review of Audit Committee 

terms of reference

•  External audit strategy and 
plan for the 30 June 2020 
year-end audit;

•  Internal audit update;
•  IT Governance; and 
•  Whistleblower feedback

All announcements released via RNS, including quarterly, half year and annual results, are approved by the entire Board.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Remuneration Committee is to determine 
and agree with the Board the framework or broad policy for the 
remuneration of the Company’s Chairperson, Executive Directors and 
Senior Management.

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 
Director’s report.

The Remuneration Committee comprises Roger Williams as the 
Chairman, and Stuart Murray. During the year under review, the 
Remuneration Committee met formally three times and invited Eileen 
Carr to attend.

The Independent Non-Executive Directors may, if needed, seek 
independent professional advice, at the Group’s expense, in the 

execution of their duties.

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 bonus share allocations. Succession 
planning for Senior Executives is reviewed annually.

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. 

32

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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

Jaco Prinsloo
Chief Executive Officer

8 September 2020

33

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE  
MEMBERS OF SYLVANIA PLATINUM LIMITED

1.  OUR OPINION IS UNMODIFIED

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Sylvania Platinum Limited (”the Group”) set out on pages 38 to 85 which comprise 
the consolidated statement of financial position at 30 June 2020, 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 notes to the 
consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies in note 6.

IN OUR OPINION:

•   the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 30 June 2020 and of the Group’s profit 

for the year then ended; and 

•  the Group’s consolidated financial statements have been properly prepared 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, as applicable, in accordance with the IRBA Codes and in accordance with other ethical requirements applicable 
to performing audits in South Africa. The IRBA Codes are consistent with the corresponding sections of the International Ethics Standards 
Board for Accountants’ Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International 
Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) respectively. We believe that the audit evidence 
we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

2.  KEY AUDIT MATTERS: OUR ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial 
statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the 
engagement team. This matter was 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 an opinion on this matter.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS FOR IMPAIRMENT

(Refer to note 6(k) for the accounting policies, note 4B for the significant accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions and note 14 for the 
notes to the consolidated financial statements)

The key audit matter

How the matter was addressed in our audit

Exploration and evaluation assets constitute a significant portion of 
the Group’s assets, comprising 26% of the total assets of the Group.

Our audit procedures included the following:

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. These facts and circumstances include when the 
entity has sufficient data indicating that the carrying amount of the 
exploration and evaluation assets are unlikely to be recovered in full 
from successful development or by sale.

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, these judgements applied include the 
inflation rate, discount rate, metal prices, exchange rates and mineral 
resources. The directors engaged an external valuation specialist to 
assist with the valuation of the exploration and evaluation assets. 

•   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’ independent 
external valuation specialist 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’ 
independent external valuation specialist 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;

34

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONThe key audit matter

How the matter was addressed in our audit

Due to the significance of the exploration and evaluation assets 
to the consolidated financial statements, the complexity of the 
valuations, the significant judgments involved in this calculation 
and the results of the directors’ independent external valuation 
specialist provided to the directors, the evaluation of exploration 
and evaluation assets for impairment is a key audit matter.

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

•   We evaluated the director’s impairment assessment and challenged 

the assumptions used;

•   We subjected the key assumptions used by the directors 

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

•   We discussed with the directors the progress on realising the 

values or development of the exploration and evaluation assets 
over the past year and plans for the future;

•   We inspected communications with the Department of Mineral 

Resources for compliance with the requirements of the mining and 
exploration rights; 

•   We assessed the directors’ reasons and plans to recover the 
carrying values of the exploration and evaluation assets; and 

•   We evaluated the appropriateness of the IFRS 6 presentation and 
disclosure in respect of the directors’ assessment of impairment of 
exploration and evaluation assets.

3.  OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT 

Materiality for the consolidated financial statements as a whole was set at US$ 1 215 000, determined with reference to a benchmark of total 
assets of which it represents 0.74%. We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements 
exceeding US$ 54 000, in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

We subjected the Sylvania Metals (Pty) Ltd, Phoenix Platinum Mining (Pty) Ltd, Grasvally Chrome Mine (Pty) Ltd, Zoetveld Properties (Pty) Ltd, 
Hacra Mining and Exploration Company (Pty) Ltd and Pan Palladium South Africa (Pty) Ltd components within the Group to full scope audits 
for Group purposes. The Sylvania Platinum Company and Sylvania South Africa (Pty) Ltd components within the Group were subjected to audit 
of specific account balance. The work was performed by the Group audit team. 

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the following percentages of the group’s results:

Full scope audits

98%

98%

For residual components, we performed analysis at an aggregated group level to re-examine our assessment that there were no significant risks 
of material misstatement within these.

Group profit after tax

Group total assets

4.  WE HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ON GOING CONCERN 

The directors have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Group or to cease their 
operations, and as they have concluded that the Group’s financial position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no 
material uncertainties that could have cast significant doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern for at least a year from the date of 
approval of the financial statements (“the going concern period”). 

Our responsibility is to conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ conclusions and, had there been a material uncertainty related to 
going concern, to make reference to that in this audit report. However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent 
events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of 
reference to a material uncertainty in this auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the group will continue in operation. 

35

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE  
MEMBERS OF SYLVANIA PLATINUM LIMITED continued

In our evaluation of the directors’ conclusions, we considered the inherent risks to the Group’s business model and analysed how those risks 
might affect the Group’s financial resources or ability to continue operations over the going concern period. The risks that we considered most 
likely to adversely affect the Group’s available financial resources over this period were:

•  Commodity prices;

•  Foreign exchange rates; 

•  Production levels; and 

•  Covid 19.

As these were risks that could potentially cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, we considered sensitivities 
over the level of available financial resources indicated by the Group’s financial forecasts taking account of reasonably possible (but not 
unrealistic) adverse effects that could arise from these risks individually and collectively and evaluated the achievability of the actions the 
directors consider they would take to improve the position should the risks materialise. 

Based on this work, we are required to report to you if we have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is inappropriate 
or there is an undisclosed material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt over the use of that basis for a period of at least a year from the 
date of approval of the financial statements. 

We have nothing to report in these respects, and we did not identify going concern as a key audit matter. 

5.  WE HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ON THE OTHER INFORMATION IN THE ANNUAL REPORT 

The directors are responsible for the other information presented in the Annual Report together with the financial statements. Our opinion on 
the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated 
below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.  

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements audit work, the 
information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work we 
have not identified material misstatements in the other information. 

6.  RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors are responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view; 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.

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. 

36

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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 for 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 auditor’s 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 auditor’s 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.

7.  THE PURPOSE OF OUR AUDIT WORK AND TO WHOM WE OWE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

This report is made solely to the members of Sylvania Platinum Limited (“the Company”), as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken 
so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other 
purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the 
Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

KPMG Inc.

Per N van Niekerk
Chartered Accountant (SA)
Registered Auditor
Director

8 September 2020

85 Empire Road 
Parktown  
Johannesburg 2193 
South Africa

37

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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

Impairment of exploration and evaluation asset

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 operations – foreign currency translation differences

Total other comprehensive loss (net of tax)

Total comprehensive income for the year

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 85 form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note

2020

$

2019

$

9

114,091,745

70,537,993

10(b)(c)

(48,029,654)

(44,854,637)

10(a)

10(b)(c)

14

10(d)

10(d)

11

20

12

12

66,062,091

25,683,356

58,123

(2,276,861)

(9,504,774)

68,788

(2,051,628)

–

54,338,579

 23,700,516

1,916,197

(307,756)

55,947,020

(14,951,537)

40,995,483

1,018,607

(324,628)

24,394,495

(6,191,004)

18,203,491

(17,291,509)

(17,291,509)

23,703,974

(1,534,487)

(1,534,487)

16,669,004

Cents

Cents

14.62

14.26

6.37

6.24

38

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AT 30 JUNE

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Exploration and evaluation assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax asset

Other financial assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Contract assets

Other financial assets

Inventories

Current tax receivable

Assets held for sale

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

Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

The notes on pages 42 to 85 form part of these consolidated financial statements.

39

Note

2020

$

2019

$

14

15

11

13

16

17

9

13

18

24(b)

26

19

20

21

22

11

23

21

24(b)

26

42,840,775

30,472,227

–

226,009

73,539,011

55,876,612

11,912,355

15,161,814

622,711

2,166,294

1,047

3,436,086

89,176,919

53,405,798

37,676,939

1,813,237

556,895

93,452,869

21,797,141

7,799,312

23,275,665

–

1,827,399

279,620

4,163,292

59,142,429

162,715,930

152,595,298

2,868,457

41,594,587

96,084,007

2,897,248

66,718,821

57,946,509

140,547,051

127,562,578

235,576

3,646,044

9,328,039

13,209,659

7,519,728

215,918

1,199,324

24,250

8,959,220

22,168,879

184,390

3,481,232

14,461,024

18,126,646

6,715,787

187,980

980

1,327

6,906,074

25,032,720

162,715,930

152,595,298

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE

Issued 

capital

$

Share 

premium 

reserve

Reserve  

for own 

Retained 

payment 

translation 

shares

earnings

reserve

reserve

$

$

$

$

$

interest 

reserve

$

Equity 

reserve Total equity

$

$

Foreign 

Non-

Share-based 

currency 

controlling 

Balance as at 1 July 2019

 2,897,248   174,936,618 

 (1,046,409) 

 57,946,509 

 3,872,944 

 (41,523,826)   (39,779,293)   (29,741,213)  127,562,578 

Profit for the year

Total other comprehensive 
loss (net of tax)

Total comprehensive income 
for the year

Share transactions

– Treasury shares acquired

– Share-based payments

–  Share options exercised 

and shares issued

– Share cancelled

Dividends declared  
and paid

Balance as at  
30 June 2020

–

–

–

40,995,483

–

40,995,483

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(8,544,976)

136,939

481,976

(28,791)

(1,327,551)

1,356,342

–

–

–

(2,857,985)

–

–

–

–

546,521

(481,976)

–

–

–

(17,291,509)

(17,291,509)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

40,995,483

(17,291,509)

23,703,974

(8,544,976)

683,460

–

–

(2,857,985)

2,868,457 173,609,067

(7,616,128)

96,084,007

3,937,489

(58,815,335)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213) 140,547,051

The notes on pages 42 to 85 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

The group absorbs the losses that would be attributable to the non-controlling interest (refer to note 31).

Issued 

capital

$

Share 

premium 

reserve

Reserve  

for own 

Retained 

payment 

translation 

shares

earnings

reserve

reserve

$

$

$

$

$

interest 

reserve

$

Equity 

reserve Total equity

$

$

Foreign 

Non-

Share-based 

currency 

controlling 

Balance as at 1 July 2018

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

Profit for the year

Total other  
comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive profit 
for the year

Share transactions

– Treasury shares acquired

– Share-based payments

– Shares cancelled

Dividends declared  
and paid

Balance as at  
30 June 2019

–

–

–

18,203,491

–

18,203,491

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(119,606)

–

(14,089)

(200,470)

214,559

–

–

–

(1,282,568)

–

–

–

–

305,440

–

–

–

(1,534,487)

(1,534,487)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

18,203,491

(1,534,487)

16,669,004

(119,606)

305,440

–

(1,282,568)

2,897,248 174,936,618

(1,046,409)

57,946,509

3,872,944

(41,523,826)

(39,779,293)

(29,741,213) 127,562,578

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The notes on pages 42 to 85 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The group absorbs the losses that would be attributable to the non-controlling interest (refer to note 31).

4040

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
 
 
 
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

Finance costs 

Taxation paid

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Payments for exploration and evaluation assets

Refund received for rehabilitation insurance guarantee

Advance paid to TS Consortium

Cash from consolidation of Joint Operation*

Assets held for sale cash

Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Repayment of borrowings 

Payment of lease liabilities

Purchase of treasury shares 

Dividends paid

Net cash outflow from financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Effect of 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 85 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

*Included in cash and cash equivalents at year-end.

Note

2020

$

2019

$

112,398,238

(41,407,023)

1,844,683

(56,309)

(14,756,364)

58,023,225

64

(5,200,789)

(211,551)

–

(291,774)

–

(7,915)

64,476,100

(39,897,210)

950,280

(70,647)

(8,092,853)

17,365,670

13,192

(8,040,462)

(253,430)

629,452

(360,607)

17,861

(4,164)

(5,711,965)

(7,998,158)

(194,611)

(75,762)

(8,544,976)

(2,853,641)

(11,668,990)

40,642,270

(6,562,799)

21,797,141

55,876,612

(147,674)

–

(119,606)

(1,290,254)

(1,557,534)

7,809,978

(38,566)

14,025,729

21,797,141

24(b)

24(a)

14

25(a)

25(b)

16 

41

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  REPORTING ENTITY

Sylvania Platinum Limited (Sylvania or the Company) 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, its subsidiaries and investments in joint 
arrangements (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.   BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It was 
authorised for issue by the Company’s board of directors on 8 September 2020.

Details of the Group’s significant accounting policies are included in note 6.

This is the first set of the Group’s annual financial statements in which IFRS 16 Leases has been applied. The related changes to significant 
accounting policies are described in note 5.

3. 

 FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

The functional and presentation currency of the Group’s consolidated financial statements are in US Dollars. All amounts have been rounded to 
the nearest US Dollar, unless otherwise indicated.

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management has made judgements and estimates that affect the application of the Group’s 
accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are continuously evaluated, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable 
under the circumstances. Revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively.

A. 

JUDGEMENTS

Information about judgements made in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effects on the amounts recognised in the 
consolidated financial statements is included in the following notes:

•  Note 6 (e) – leases – whether an arrangement contains a lease;

•  Note 6 (o) – assets held for sale – whether a sale is highly probable.

B.  ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTIES

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties at 30 June 2020 that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to 
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the next financial year is included in the following notes:

•  Note 15 – impairment of property, plant and equipment – determining the fair value of cash generating units;

•   Note 22 – provision for restoration and rehabilitation and decommissioning of plant and equipment – in determining the provision there 

are numerous factors that will affect the ultimate liability payable;

•   Note 14 – exploration and evaluation assets – determine 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;

•  Note 11 – deferred tax asset – judgement whether a deferred tax asset is created on the statement of financial position.

Note 15 – Impairment of property, plant and equipment

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 15. 

4242

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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 15.

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 2020. The internal financial 
model is based on the known and confirmed resources for each plant. 

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. A range 
between 11% and 15% was used for the pre-tax discounted rate (2019: range between 10% and 12.5%).

Commodity price – The Group has used forecast commodity prices obtained from a reputable publication and these range for the years from 
2021 – 2023 between $865 and $950/oz (2019: $832 and $956) for platinum,$1,735 to $1,200/oz (2019:$1,446 to $1,370) for palladium and 
$6,750 to $5,000/oz for rhodium (2019: $3,236 to $3,078). 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 the 
years from 2021 – 2023 between 17.75 ZAR/$1 and 18.00 ZAR/$1 (2019: 13.99 ZAR/$1 to 14.34 ZAR/$1). 

Note 22 – 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 gross costs of rehabilitation of $4,508,463 (2019: $3,368,519) over a period of 
10 years (2019:10 years) using a discount rate of 9.22% (2019: 8.32%), which is the risk-free rate in relation to government bonds in South Africa 
and an inflation rate of 4.34% (2019: 4.5%). 

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.

Note 14 – Exploration and evaluation assets 

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 for activities that have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable 
assessment of the existence of reserves (refer to accounting policy note 6 (j)). 

43

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS continued

Note 14 – Exploration and evaluation assets continued 

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. 

KEY ASSUMPTIONS USED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF IMPAIRMENT OF EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

An impairment assessment of the exploration and evaluation assets was 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 valued using a Cost and Market 
comparable approach, whilst the advanced Projects were valued using a Cost, Market comparable and Discounted Cash-flow approach. 

Discount rate – A range between 11% and 15% was used for the pre-tax discounted rate (2019: range between 10% and 12.5%).

Commodity price – The Group has used forecast commodity prices obtained from a reputable publication and these range for the years 
from 2021 – 2023 between $865 and $950/oz (2019: $832 and $956) for platinum,$1,735 to $1,200/oz (2019: $1,446 to $1,370) for palladium, 
$6,750 to $5,000/oz for rhodium (2019: $3,236 to $3,078) and R3,500/ton chrome (2019: R4,832/ton).

Exchange rates – Platinum group metals are priced in USD. The USD/ZAR exchange rate used in the discounted cash flow model ranges for the 
years from 2021 – 2023 between 17.75 ZAR/$1 and 18.00 ZAR/$1 (2019: 13.99 ZAR/$1 to 14.34 ZAR/$1).

Note 11 – Deferred tax asset

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 and timing 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. 

5. 

 CHANGES IN SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

(i)  NEW STANDARDS

The Group initially applied IFRS 16 Leases from 1 July 2019. A number of other new standards are also effective from 1 July 2019 but they do not 
have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

The Company has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach. Accordingly, the comparative information presented for 
2019 has not been restated – i.e. it is presented, as previously reported, under IAS 17 Leases and related interpretations. The details of the 
changes in accounting policies are disclosed below. Additionally, the disclosure requirements in IFRS 16 have not generally been applied to 
comparative information.

A.  DEFINITION OF A LEASE

Previously, the Group determined at contract inception whether an arrangement was or contained a lease under IFRIC 4 Determining Whether 
an Arrangement contains a Lease. The Group now assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease based on the new definition of a lease, as 
explained in note 6(e).

On transition to IFRS 16, the Group elected to apply the practical expedient to grandfather the assessment of which transactions are leases. 
The Group applied IFRS 16 only to contracts previously identified as leases. Contracts that were not identified as leases under IAS 17 and 
IFRIC 4 were not reassessed for whether there is a lease under IFRS 16. Therefore, the definition of a lease under IFRS 16 has been applied 
only to contracts entered into or changed on or after 1 July 2019.

4444

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONB.  AS A LESSEE 

The Group leases office premises, IT equipment and motor vehicles.

As a lessee, the Group previously classified leases as operating or finance leases based on its assessment of whether the lease transferred 
significantly all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the underlying asset to the Group. Under IFRS 16, the Group recognises 
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the most of these leases – i.e. these leases are on-balance sheet. 

The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities where these leases are for low-value assets (IT equipment below 
the value of $5,000). The Group recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the 
lease term.

(i)	 Leases	classified	as	operating	leases	under	IAS	17

Previously, the Group classified office premises leases and IT equipment as operating leases under IAS 17. 

At transition, for the leases classified as operating leases under IAS 17, lease liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease 
payments, discounted at the Group’s incremental borrowing rate as at 1 July 2019. The right-of-use assets were measured at an amount equal to 
the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments. 

The Group has tested its right-of-use assets for impairment on the date of transition and has concluded that there is no indication that the  
right-of-use assets are impaired.

The Group used the following practical expedients when applying IFRS 16 to leases previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17:

•   Applied the exemption not to recognise right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases for which the underlying asset is of low value when it is new.

(ii)	 Leases	classified	as	finance	leases	under	IAS	17

The Group leases a number of motor vehicles. These leases were classified as finance leases under IAS 17. For these finance leases, the carrying 
amount of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability at 1 July 2019 were determined at the carrying amount of the lease asset and lease liability 
under IAS 17 immediately before that date.

C.  AS A LESSOR

The Group leases out a portion of property, owned by Zoetveld Properties (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, to a local farmer. The Group 
has classified this lease as an operating lease.

The accounting policies applicable to the Group as a lessor are not different from those under IAS 17. The Group is not required to make any 
adjustments on transition to IFRS 16 for leases in which it acts as a lessor.

D. 

IMPACTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On transition to IFRS 16, the Group recognised additional right-of-use assets and additional lease liabilities. The impact on transition is 
summarised below.

Right-of-use assets – property

Right-of-use assets – office equipment

Right-of-use assets – plant and equipment

Lease liabilities

1 July 2019

$

257,616

36,088

21,382

315,087

When measuring lease liabilities for leases that were classified as operating leases, the Group discounted lease payments using its incremental 
borrowing rate at 1 July 2019. The rate applied was 10.25%.

45

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

5. 

 CHANGES IN SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(i)  NEW STANDARDS continued

D. 

IMPACTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

Operating lease commitment at 30 June 2019 as disclosed in the Group’s consolidated financial statements

Discounted using the incremental borrowing rate at 1 July 2019

Finance lease liabilities recognised as at 30 June 2019 (carrying value of $428,528)

Lease liabilities recognised at 1 July 2019

6.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

(a)  BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

(i)	Subsidiaries

1 July 2019

$

349,358

315,087

371,891

686,978

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 holding company, using consistent 
accounting policies.

(ii) Non-controlling interests

Where ownership of a subsidiary is less than 100%, a non-controlling interest/s exists. The group absorbs the losses that would be 
attributable to the non-controlling interests. A change in ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an 
equity transaction. 

(iii) Loss of control

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 holding company’s share 
of the components previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss or retained earnings, as appropriate.

(iv) Joint arrangements

Under IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements investments in joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures. A joint 
arrangement is classified as a joint operation, when the jointly controlling parties, known as the ‘joint operators’, have rights to the assets and 
obligations for the liabilities relating to the arrangement.

The Group recognises its direct right to the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of joint operations and its share of the jointly held or 
incurred assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These have been incorporated in the financial statements under the appropriate headings. 

(v) Transactions eliminated on consolidation

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

(b)  REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue is recognised and measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable to the extent it is probable that the economic 
benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured.

Revenue from contracts with customers

Revenue is recognised when the control of the goods has passed to the buyer and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the 
transaction can be measured reliably. Control of ownership are considered to pass to the customer at the time of delivery of the goods to 
the customer.

46

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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 contract assets in the statement of financial position. In all cases, fair value is determined with reference to month end prices.

(c)  INTEREST INCOME

For all financial assets measured at amortised cost interest income is recorded using the effective interest method. The ‘effective interest rate’ 
(EIR) 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 gross carrying amount of the financial asset or liability. Interest income is included in finance income in 
profit or loss.

(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.

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.

(e)  LEASES

The Group has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach and therefore the comparative information has not been restated 
and continues to be reported under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4. The details of accounting policies under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 are disclosed separately.

Policy applicable from 1 July 2019

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract 
conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To assess whether a contract 
conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset, the group uses the definition of a lease in IFRS 16.

The policy is applied to contracts entered into, on or after 1 July 2019.

Group as a lessee

At commencement or on modification of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to 
each lease component on the basis of its relative stand-alone prices. However, for the leases of property the Group has elected not to separate 
non-lease components and account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at 
cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus 
any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the 
site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease 
term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Group by the end of the lease term or the cost of the right-of-use 
asset reflects that the Group will exercise a purchase option. In that case the right-of-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of 
the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis as those of property, plant and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is 
periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using 
the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Group 
uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.

The Group determines its incremental borrowing rate by obtaining interest rates from various external financing sources and makes certain 
adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and type of the asset leased.

47

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

6.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(e)  LEASES continued
Group as a lessee continued
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following:

•   fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments;

•   variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date.

The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease 
payments arising from a change in index or rate, or if there is a revised in-substance fixed lease payment.

When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is 
recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

The Group presents right-of-use assets that do not meet the definition of investment property in ‘property, plant and equipment’ and lease 
liabilities in ‘borrowings’ in the statement of financial position.

Leases of low-value assets

The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases which the underlying asset value is $5,000 and below 
when it is new. The Group recognises the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Group as a lessor

When the Group acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance lease or an operating lease.

Leases in which the Group does not transfer substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of an asset are classified as operating leases.

The Group recognises lease payments received under operating leases as income on a straight-line basis over the lease term as part of 
‘Other Income’.

Generally, the accounting policies applicable to the Group as a lessor in the comparative period were not different from IFRS 16.

Policy applicable before 1 July 2019

For contracts entered into before 1 July 2019, the Group determined whether the arrangement was or contained a lease based on the 
assessment of whether:

•   fulfilment of the arrangement was dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets; and

•   the arrangement had conveyed a right to use the asset.

Group as a lessee

In the comparative period, as a lessee the Group classified leases that transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership as 
finance leases. When this was the case, the leased assets were measured initially at an amount equal to the lower of their fair value and the 
present value of the minimum lease payments. Minimum lease payments were the payments over the lease term that the lessee was required to 
make, excluding any contingent rent. Subsequent to initial recognition, the assets were accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy 
applicable to that asset.

Assets held under other leases were classified as operating leases and were not recognised in the Group’s statement of financial position. 
Payments made under operating leases were recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 

Group as a lessor

When the Group acted as a lessor, it determined at lease inception whether each lease was a finance lease or an operating lease.

To classify each lease, the Group made an overall assessment of whether the lease transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards 
incidental to ownership of the underlying asset. If this was the case, then the lease was a finance lease; if not, then it was an operating lease. 

48

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION(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 (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.

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 bonus shares issued is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of earnings per 
share (refer note 12).

(h)  FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

The functional and presentation currency of the Group’s consolidated financial statements are 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 and other comprehensive income.

49

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

6.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(h)  FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION continued

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. 

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

Income tax expense comprise current and deferred tax. It is recognised in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business 
combination or items recognised directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

Current tax

Current 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 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.

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 holding company 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.

50

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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 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 is also 
included within property, plant and equipment.

Upon completion of construction, the assets are transferred into property, plant and equipment or properties. When a construction project 
moves into the production stage, the capitalisation of certain construction costs cease and costs are either regarded as part of the cost of 
inventory or expensed, except for costs which qualify for capitalisation relating to property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation

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

•   property – five years

•   mining property – ten years

•   plant – 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

•   construction in progress – not depreciated

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. 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.

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 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

6.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(k)  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

Exploration and evaluation activity involve 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 directly attributable 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.

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.

52

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
 
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

(i)  Recognition and initial measurement

Trade receivables and debt securities issued are initially recognised when they are originated. All other financial assets and financial liabilities are 
initially recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

A financial asset (unless it is a trade receivable without a significant financing component) or a financial liability is initially measured at fair value 
plus, for an item not at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue. 
A trade receivable without a significant financing component is initially measured at the transaction price.

(ii)		Classification	and	subsequent	measurement

Financial assets 

On initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as measured at: amortised cost; fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) – 
debt investment; FVOCI – equity investment; or FVTPL.

Financial assets are not reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition unless the Group changes its business model for managing financial 
assets, in which case all affected financial assets are reclassified on the first day of the first reporting period following the change in the business 
model.

A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:

•  it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and

•   its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal 

amount outstanding.

On initial recognition of an equity investment that is not held for trading, the Group may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in the 
investment’s fair value in OCI. This election is made on an investment-by-investment basis.

All financial assets not classified as measured at amortised cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVTPL. 

On initial recognition, the Group may irrevocably designate a financial asset that otherwise meets the requirements to be measured at 
amortised cost or at FVOCI as at FVTPL if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise.

Financial assets – Business model assessment

The Group makes an assessment of the objective of the business model in which a financial asset is held at a portfolio level because this best 
reflects the way the business is managed and information is provided to management. The information considered includes:

•   the stated policies and objectives for the portfolio and the operation of those policies in practice. These include whether management’s 

strategy focuses on earning contractual interest income, maintaining a particular interest rate profile, matching the duration of the financial 
assets to the duration of any related liabilities or expected cash outflows or realising cash flows through the sale of the assets;

•  how the performance of the portfolio is evaluated and reported to the Group’s management;

•   the risks that affect the performance of the business model (and the financial assets held within that business model) and how those risks are 

managed;

•   how managers of the business are compensated – e.g. whether compensation is based on the fair value of the assets managed or the 

contractual cash flows collected; and 

•   the frequency, volume and timing of sales of financial assets in prior periods, the reasons for such sales and expectations about future 

sales activity.

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 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

6.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(m)  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued
Financial assets – Business model assessment continued
Transfers of financial assets to third parties in transactions that do not qualify for derecognition are not considered sales for this purpose, 
consistent with the Group’s continuing recognition of the assets.

Financial assets that are held for trading or are managed and whose performance is evaluated on a fair value basis are measured at FVTPL.

Financial assets – Assessment whether contractual cash flows are solely payment of principal and interest

For the purposes of this assessment, ‘principal’ is defined as the fair value of the financial asset on initial recognition. ‘Interest’ is defined as 
consideration for the time value of money and for the credit risk associated with the principal amount outstanding during a particular period of 
time and for other basic lending risks and costs (e.g. liquidity risk and administrative costs), as well as a profit margin.

In assessing whether the contractual cash flows are solely payments of principal and interest, the Group considers the contractual terms of the 
instrument. This includes assessing whether the financial asset contains a contractual term that could change the timing amount of contractual 
cash flows such that it would not meet this condition. In making this assessment, the Group considers:

•  contingent events that would change the amount or timing of cash flows;

•  terms that may adjust the contractual coupon rate, including variable-rate features;

•  prepayment and extension features; and

•  terms that limit the Group’s claim to cash flows from specified assets (e.g. non-recourse features).

A prepayment feature is consistent with the solely payments of principal and interest criterion if the prepayment amount substantially 
represents unpaid amounts of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding, which may include reasonable additional 
compensation for early termination of the contract. Additionally, for a financial asset acquired at a discount or premium to its contractual par 
amount, a feature that permits or requires prepayment at an amount that substantially represents the contractual par amount plus accrued 
(but unpaid) contractual interest (which may also include reasonable additional compensation for early termination) is treated as consistent 
with this criterion if the fair value of the prepayment feature is insignificant at initial recognition. 

Financial assets – subsequent measurement and gains and losses

Financial assets at 
amortised cost

Equity investments 
at FVOCI

These assets are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The amortised cost is 
reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognised in 
profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition is recognised in profit or loss.

These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Dividends are recognised as income in profit or loss unless the 
dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of the investment. Other net gains and losses are recognised 
in OCI and are never reclassified to profit or loss.

Financial liabilities – Classification, subsequent measurement and gains and losses

Financial liabilities are classified as measured at amortised cost. Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method. Interest expense and foreign exchange gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on 
derecognition is also recognised in profit or loss.

(iii)  Derecognition

Financial assets

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or it transfers the rights 
to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are 
transferred or in which the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does not retain 
control of the financial asset.

The Group enters into transactions whereby it transfers assets recognised in its statement of financial position, but retains either all or 
substantially all of the risks and rewards of the transferred assets. In these cases, the transferred assets are not derecognised.

Financial liabilities

The Group derecognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled, or expire. The Group also derecognises 
a financial liability when its terms are modified and the cash flows of the modified liability are substantially different, in which case a new financial 
liability based on the modified terms is recognised at fair value.

54

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONOn derecognition of a financial liability, the difference between the carrying amount extinguished and the consideration paid (including any  
non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed) is recognised in profit or loss.

(iv)  Impairment 

Financial instruments and contract assets 

The Group recognises loss allowances for ECLs on:

•   Financial assets measured at amortised cost; and

•   Contract assets.

The Group measures loss allowances at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs, except for the following, which are measured at 12-month ECLs:

•   trade receivables, contract assets; and 

•   bank balances for which credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition.

Loss allowances for other receivables are measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs.

When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when estimating ECLs, 
the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both 
quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, based on the Group’s historical experience and informed credit assessment and including 
forward-looking information.

The Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it is more than 30 days past due.

The Group considers a financial asset to be in default when:

•   the borrower is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the Group in full, without recourse by the Group to actions such as realising security 

(if any is held); or

•   the financial asset is more than 90 days past due.

The Group considers the bank balances to have low credit risk when the banks credit risk rating is equivalent to P-3 or higher per Moody 
Investor Service.

Lifetime ECLs are the ECLs that result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument.

12-month ECLs are the portion of ECLs that result from default events that are possible within the 12 months after the reporting date  
(or a shorter period if the expected life of the instrument is less than 12 months).

The maximum period considered when estimating ECLs is the maximum contractual period over which the Group is exposed to credit risk.

Measurement of ECLs

ECLs are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of all cash shortfalls (i.e. the 
difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive).

ECLs are discounted at the effective interest rate of the financial asset.

Credit-impaired financial assets

At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether financial assets carried at amortised cost are credit-impaired. A financial asset is ‘credit-
impaired’ when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.

Evidence that a financial asset is credit-impaired includes the following observable data:

•   significant financial difficulty of the borrower;

•   a breach of contract such as a default or being more than 90 days past due;

•   the restructuring of a loan or advance by the Group on terms the Group would not consider otherwise;

•   it is probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation.

Presentation of allowance for ECL in the statement of financial position

Loss allowances for financial assets measured at amortised cost are deducted from the gross carrying amount of the assets.

55

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

6.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(m)  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued
Presentation of allowance for ECL in the statement of financial position continued
Write off

The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is written off when the Group has no reasonable expectations of recovering a financial asset in its 
entirety or a portion thereof. The Group has a policy of writing off the gross carrying amount when the financial asset is 180 days past due.

(v) Offsetting

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the 
Group currently has a legally enforceable right to set off the amounts and it intends either to settle them on a net basis or to realise the asset 
and settle the liability simultaneously.

(n)  INVENTORIES

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

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.

56

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents include notes and coins on hand, restricted balances held with Standard Bank and highly liquid financial assets with 
original maturities three months or less, which are subject to insignificant risk of changes in their fair value, and are used by the Group in the 
management of its short-term commitments.

(q)  ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities, are classified as held-for-sale if it is highly probable that they will be 
recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use.

Such assets, or disposal groups, are generally measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Any impairment 
loss on a disposal group is allocated first to goodwill, and then to the remaining assets and liabilities on a pro rata basis, except that no loss is 
allocated to inventories, financial assets, deferred tax assets, employee benefit assets, investment property or biological assets, which continue 
to be measured in accordance with the Group’s other accounting policies. Impairment losses on initial classification as held-for-sale and 
subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in profit or loss.

Once classified as held-for-sale, property, plant and equipment are no longer amortised or depreciated.

(r)  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.

(s)  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated as net profit or loss attributable to members of the holding company, adjusted to exclude any costs of 
servicing equity (other than 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 holding company, adjusted for:

•  costs of servicing equity (other than 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.

57

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

7.  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 2020. 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 2020

1 July 2020

Title

Framework

Reference

Amendments to 
References to  
Conceptual Framework 
in IFRS Standards

Summary

The IASB decided to revise the Conceptual 
Framework because certain important issues 
were not covered and certain guidance 
was unclear or out of date. The revised 
Conceptual Framework, issued by the IASB 
in March 2018, includes:

•   A new chapter on measurement;

•   Guidance on reporting financial 

performance;

•   Improved definitions of an asset and a 
liability, and guidance supporting these 
definitions; and

•   Clarifications in important areas, such as 
the roles of stewardship, prudence and 
measurement uncertainty in financial 
reporting.

The IASB also updated references to the 
Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards by 
issuing Amendments to References to the 
Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards. 

This was done to support transition to 
the revised Conceptual Framework for 
companies that develop accounting policies 
using the Conceptual Framework when 
no IFRS Standard applies to a particular 
transaction.

Although we expect this to be rare, some 
companies may use the Framework as a 
reference for selecting their accounting 
policies in the absence of specific IFRS 
requirements. In these cases, companies 
should review those policies and apply the 
new guidance retrospectively as of 1 January 
2020, unless the new guidance contains 
specific scope outs.

The amendment to the Framework is not 
expected to have a significant impact on the 
Group’s consolidated financial statements.

58

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONApplication date  
of standard

Application date 
for Group

1 January 2020

1 July 2020

Reference

Title

Summary

Amendments to IAS 1 
and IAS 8

Definition of 
Material

The IASB refined its definition of material to 
make it easier to understand. It is now aligned 
across IFRS Standards and the Conceptual 
Framework.

The changes in Definition of Material all 
relate to a revised definition of ‘material’ 
which is quoted below from the final 
amendments:

“Information is material if omitting, misstating 
or obscuring it could reasonably be expected 
to influence decisions that the primary users 
of general-purpose financial statements make 
on the basis of those financial statements, 
which provide financial information about a 
specific reporting entity.’’

The Board has also removed the definition 
of material omissions or misstatements 
from IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in 
Accounting Estimates and Errors.

The amendments to these standards are not 
expected to have a significant impact on the 
Group’s consolidated financial statements.

59

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

8.  SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT INFORMATION

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

•  Sylvania Dump Operations (SDO) which includes the Six operational plants;

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

•  all other segments which includes corporate or unallocated expenditure. 

Decision making by the Board is based on evaluating the operating plants as a group. 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 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 2020 and 30 June 2019.

2020

Segment assets

Capital expenditure*

Other assets

Segment liabilities

Segment revenue

Net profit for the year after tax

Included within the segment results:

Depreciation

Direct operating costs

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

Other items:

Income tax expense

Capital expenditure additions during the year

Reportable segments

SDO

$

Exploration 
projects

$

All other 
segments

$

Consolidated

$

 104,077,553 

48,776,628

9,861,749

162,715,930

26,059,064

45,248,102

2,005,836 (a)

73,313,002

78,018,489**

3,528,526

7,855,913 (b)

89,402,928

11,244,157

114,091,745

8,257,398

2,667,324 (c)

22,168,879

–

1,916,197

116,007,942

47,232,965

(5,431,299)

 (806,183)(d)

40,995,483

5,417,225

42,423,333

–

–

–

9,504,774

19,018,222

4,822,840

(4,073,475)

216,683

189,096

–

–

6,790

645,273

 5,606,321(e)

 42,423,333(f)

9,504,774

14,951,537

5,684,796

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

**  Other assets consist of trade receivables $11,248,911, contract assets $15,161,814, cash and cash equivalents $49,128,527, inventory $2,166,294 and other receivables 

$312,943. 

60

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
2019

Segment assets

Capital expenditure*

Other assets

Segment liabilities

Segment revenue

Net profit for the year after tax

Included within the segment results:

Depreciation

Direct operating costs

Other items:

Income tax expense

Capital expenditure additions during the year

Reportable segments

SDO

Exploration

$

$

All other 
segments

$

Consolidated

$

81,619,891

60,590,455

10,384,952

152,595,298

32,619,048

56,348,986

2,114,703 (a)

49,000,843**

4,241,469

8,270,249 (b)

12,458,310

679,650 (c)

–

1,018,607

(3,596)

(1,470,637)(d)

11,894,760

70,537,993

19,677,724

6,310,567

38,362,300

–

–

181,770

–

7

328,835

6,187,401

8,429,782

3,596

253,430

91,082,737

61,512,561

25,032,720

71,556,600

18,203,491

6,492,337(e)

38,362,300(f )

6,191,004

9,012,047

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

**  Other assets consist of trade receivables $6,628,720, contract assets $23,275,665, cash and cash equivalents $14,548,307, other receivables $2,456,301 and tax assets 

$2,091,850. 

Major items included in corporate/unallocated

(a) Capital expenditure

Property, plant and equipment

(b) Other assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Current tax asset

Other financial assets

Other receivables

(c) Liabilities

Borrowings

Other

Trade payables

2020

$

2019

$

 2,005,836

2,005,836

6,659,311

1,047

848,720

346,835

2,114,703

2,114,703

7,169,118

1,346

556,895

542,890

7,855,913

8,270,249

219,108

–

2,448,216

2,667,324

80,007

3,841

595,802

679,650

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 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

8.  SEGMENT REPORTING continued

SEGMENT INFORMATION continued

(d) Unallocated income and expenses

Administrative salaries and wages

Auditors’ remuneration

Consulting fees

Depreciation

Finance income

Finance costs

Foreign exchange loss

Forgiveness of debt

Legal expenses

Other income

Overseas travelling expenses

Premises leases

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Share-based payments

Income tax expense

VAT write off

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

Revenue

Finance income

Total segment revenue

62

2020

$

2019

$

1,385,399

1,333,173

104,505

105,613

328,672

121,030

130,353

230,997

(1,916,197)

(1,018,607)

307,756

10,877

–

39,906

(58,123)

136,194

–

(64)

512,198

6,790

96,698

(254,041)

806,183

324,628

22,641

37,806

53,648

(49,825)

170,866

72,725

(11,947)

305,440

3,603

–

(255,894)

1,470,637

5,606,321

139,576

5,745,897

6,492,337

49,226

6,541,563

42,423,333

5,606,321

48,029,654

38,362,300

6,492,337

44,854,637

114,091,745

1,916,197

116,007,942

70,537,993

1,018,607

71,556,600

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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:

Mauritius

South Africa

Total finance income

Total revenue

The sales of concentrate are to two customers. Revenue is split according to customer as detailed below:

Customer 1 

Customer 2 

Analysis of location of non-current assets:

South Africa

Total non-current assets

9.   REVENUE

Revenue from contracts with customers

Contract balances

Contract assets

Trade receivables 

Reconciliation of contract assets:

Balance at beginning of financial year

Movements during the year

Foreign currency movements

Closing balance at end of financial year

2020

$

2019

$

114,091,745

70,537,993

80,262

1,835,935

1,916,197

116,007,942

105,992

912,615

1,018,607

71,556,600

105,806,325

8,285,420

114,091,745

66,832,586

3,705,407

70,537,993

73,539,011

73,539,011

93,452,869

93,452,869

2020

$

2019

$

114,091,745

70,537,993

15,161,814

11,380,891

23,275,665

7,045,750

23,275,665

(4,351,328)

(3,762,523)

15,161,814

18,825,058

4,913,406

(462,799)

23,275,665

The contract assets relate to the Group’s right to consideration for PGM ounces delivered but not billed at the reporting date. The contract 
assets are transferred to receivables when an invoice is issued.

63

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

10.  INCOME AND EXPENSES

(a) Other income

Scrap sales

Recoveries

Rent received

(b) Cost of sales and other expenses

Includes the following specific expenses:

Included in cost of sales:

Depreciation – property, plant and equipment

Write-off of property, plant and equipment

Included in other expenses:

Consulting

Depreciation – property, plant and equipment

Lease payments

Foreign exchange loss

Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

(c) Staff costs

Salaries and wages included in cost of sales

Salaries and wages included in other expenses

Share-based payments included in other expenses

(d) Net finance income

Interest income on other financial assets

Interest on cash and cash equivalents 

Finance income

Interest expense on borrowings

Unwinding of discount on rehabilitation provision

Interest on leases

Other interest paid

Finance costs

Net finance income 

2020

$

14,137

–

43,986

58,123

2019

$

16,849

7,045

44,894

68,788

5,606,321

9,981

6,492,337

–

105,613

139,576

6,633

10,877

–

129,976

49,227

86,948

22,641

(11,946)

15,729,096

1,385,399

546,521

17,661,016

13,965,908

1,333,173

305,440

15,604,521

71,514

1,844,683

1,916,197

(31,382)

(215,688)

(26,803)

(33,883)

(307,756)

1,608,441

56,522

962,085

1,018,607

(35,414)

(225,720)

–

(63,494)

(324,628)

693,979

64

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION11.  INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Income tax recognised in profit or loss

Current tax:

Current year tax

Recognition in respect of current income tax of previous year

Deferred tax:

Relating to recognition, origination and reversal of temporary differences

Recognition in respect of deferred tax of previous year

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

Deferred tax asset not recognised on impairment

Adjustment in respect of the prior year 

Benefit of tax losses and temporary differences not brought to account

Assessed loss utilised not previously recognised

Income tax expense

2020

$

2019

$

16,338,331

(4,542)

7,414,749

414,196

(1,340,042)

(42,210)

14,951,537

(377,621)

(1,260,320)

6,191,004

55,947,020

24,394,495

15,665,166

4,003,090

(4,073,474)

(46,752)

87,302

(683,795)

6,830,458

79,650

–

(846,124)

127,020

–

14,951,537

6,191,004

Sylvania Platinum Limited is a Bermudan incorporated company and has no tax liability under that jurisdiction with respect to income 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. 

Deferred tax assets comprise:

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange 

Rehabilitation provision

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax liabilities comprise:

Exploration and evaluation assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax liabilities net

Deferred tax recognised in the Statement of Financial Position

Deferred tax asset

Deferred tax liability

Deferred tax liabilities net

2020

$

2019

$

(4,497,670)

(3,665,524)

(825,616)

(476,215)

(736,749)

(932,701)

7,512,883

7,571,913

42,744

9,328,039

11,586,357

6,333,814

62,590

12,647,787

–

(9,328,039)

(9,328,039)

1,813,237

(14,461,024)

(12,647,787)

The Group has estimated tax losses arising in South Africa of $4,502,186 (2019: $5,156,658) and unredeemed capital expenditure of $9,189,038 
(2019: $10,218,769) that are available indefinitely for offset against future taxable profits of the company in which the losses arose.

65

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

11.  INCOME TAX EXPENSE continued

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

2020

$

2019

$

774,756

2,814,253

1,266,634

82,496

4,938,139

922,375

2,275,340

1,447,481

63,487

4,708,683

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 of the uncertainty of the timing of probable future taxable profits which will be utilised.

Reconciliation of deferred tax assets/(liabilities):

2020 

Other temporary differences

Rehabilitation provision

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange

Property, plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation assets

2019 

Other temporary differences

Rehabilitation provision

Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange

Property, plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation assets

Opening 
balance

Charged to 
profit or loss

Exchange 
differences

$

$

$

Closing  
balance

$

870,110

736,749

3,665,525

(385,545)

244,442

–

(51,094)

(155,575)

832,146

(6,333,814)

(2,550,118)

1,312,019

(11,586,357)

(12,647,787)

4,073,473

1,382,252

–

1,937,496

400,264

787,513

3,917,025

284,810

(30,040)

46,284

(7,832,503)

1,336,887

(11,598,513)

–

(14,326,214)

1,637,941

185,036

(20,724)

(297,784)

161,802

12,156

40,486

433,471

825,616

4,497,671

(7,571,913)

(7,512,884)

(9,328,039)

870,110

736,749

3,665,525

(6,333,814)

(11,586,357)

(12,647,787)

66

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION12.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

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

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

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

Effect of dilution:

Share options and bonus shares

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

2020 

2019

Cents per 
share

Cents per 
share

14.62 

14.26

$

6.37

6.24

$

 40,995,483

18,203,491

 40,995,483

18,203,491

2020 

 2019

Number of 
shares

Number of 
shares

280,414,655 

285,820,158

7,157,607 

5,976,644

287,572,262 

291,796,802

206,958 shares were bought back in accordance with the Share Buyback Programme between the reporting date and the date of authorisation 
of these financial statements.

13.  OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

Loans and receivables 

Loans receivable (a)

Rehabilitation debtor (b)

Balance at the end of the financial year

Non-current asset

Current assets

2020

$

622,711

226,009

 848,720

226,009

622,711

848,720

2019

$

556,895

–

556,895

556,895

–

556,895

(a)   Loans receivable consist of a loan granted to TS Consortium by Sylvania South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The loan is unsecured, bears interest at 7% 

per annum and is repayable on demand. 

(b)   Contribution paid to the host mine for rehabilitation purposes. The debtor is ZAR denominated and was translated at a spot rate 

of ZAR17.21:$1 (2019: ZAR14.12:$1). The rehabilitation debtor was re-classified from a current receivable to non-current during the 
current period.

67

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

14.  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

2020 

Balance at beginning of financial year

Foreign currency movements

Direct expenditure for the year

Impairment

Assets held for sale

Balance at end of financial year

2019

Balance at beginning of financial year

Foreign currency movements

Direct expenditure for the year

Assets held for sale

Balance at end of financial year

Deferred 
exploration 
expenditure

$

Total

$

 53,405,798 

53,405,798

(1,175,266) 

(1,175,266)

211,615

211,615

(9,504,774)

(9,504,774)

(96,598)

(96,598)

42,840,775

42,840,775

Mineral rights

$

–

–

–

–

–

–

Deferred 
exploration 
expenditure

Mineral rights

$

$

Total

$

2,541,589

54,855,667

57,397,256

(66,061)

55,875

(190,676)

197,555

(256,737)

253,430

(2,531,403)

(1,456,748)

(3,988,151)

–

53,405,798

53,405,798

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.

The Northern limb projects comprise Hacra and Aurora (Pan Palladium (“PPD”)) PGM and Base Metal mining projects for which Mining Rights 
for PGMs and Base Metals have been awarded. 

Historically the intention was that these projects would have been linked to the original Volspruit project in order to benefit from economies 
of scale and the envisaged downstream concentrate smelting and refining infrastructure that formed part of the Volspruit project scope at the 
time. However, based on the significant capital requirement for downstream smelting and refining infrastructure and considering respective local 
and global economic risks, the Company is considering alternative strategies which would involve lower risk and less capital-intensive options of 
developing these assets. 

The Board believes that both Hacra and Aurora hold value, whether it is through future development or sale. However, based on the current 
information available, the Board have taken a conservative approach and made the decision to impair $9,504,774 on the Aurora project in line 
with its fair value. The fair value was determined using the market comparable approach and was categorised as a Level 1 fair value according to 
IFRS 13 Fair value measurement.

The Hacra Mining Right covers both a relatively low-grade Platreef asset and a more attractive small portion of the Waterberg reef to the 
North of this property, which is bordering the Platinum Group Metals (PTM) Waterberg Mining Project. The Board believe Hacra has greater 
potential value and are encouraged by the results published by PTM.

Specialist consultants have been appointed to assist Sylvania in evaluating the respective resources and exploring the economic potential of 
these deposits through a step plan strategy with the view to possibly upgrading the mineral resource either for development or sale.

68

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION15.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property

Mining 
property

Construction 
 in progress

Plant 

Equipment

Leasehold 
improvements

Computer 
equipment  
and software

Furniture and 
fittings

Office 
equipment

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Motor  
vehicles

$

Total

$

2020

At 1 July 2019

Cost

Accumulated 
depreciation

 3,063,796 

 2,323,263 

 4,193,099

78,193,987

784,159

42,489

560,176

109,383

117,358

1,017,695

90,405,405

 (106,938) 

(1,975,977)

– (48,845,895)

(580,794)

(20,951)

(445,210)

(92,842)

(91,005)

(568,854) (52,728,466)

Net carrying value

 2,956,858

 347,286 

 4,193,099

29,348,092

203,365

21,538

114,966

16,541

26,353

448,841

37,676,939

Year ended  

30 June 2020

Opening net 
carrying value

Recognition of 
Right-of-use 
asset on initial 
application of IFRS 
16 at 1 July 2019

Exchange 
differences

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation 
charge

Closing net 
carrying value

At 30 June 2020

Cost

Accumulated 
depreciation

2,956,858

347,286

4,193,099

29,348,092

203,365

21,538

114,966

16,541

26,353

448,841

37,676,939

257,616

–

–

21,383

–

–

–

–

36,088

–

315,087

(568,862)

(62,336)

(811,245)

(5,240,435)

(30,873)

(3,644)

(20,406)

(2,760)

(11,375)

(76,150)

(6,828,086)

394,098

4,473,601

(13,614)

–

–

2,911

56,187

6,762

36,056

107,560

5,080,522

–

–

–

–

(12,724)

(26,338)

3,347

–

(85,562)

–

–

–

–

–

(5,353,550)

(58,994)

(5,232)

(58,603)

(8,958)

(33,908)

(141,090)

(5,745,897)

2,563,397

284,950

3,775,952

23,235,477

113,498

15,573

92,144

11,585

53,214

326,437

30,472,227

2,755,897

2,260,927

3,775,952

77,405,373

753,286

41,756

595,957

113,385

178,127

1,015,912

88,896,572

(192,500)

(1,975,977)

– (54,169,896)

(639,788)

(26,183)

(503,813)

(101,800)

(124,913)

(689,475) (58,424,345)

Net carrying value

2,563,397

284,950

3,775,952

23,235,477

113,498

15,573

92,144

11,585

53,214

326,437

30,472,227

69

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

15.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT continued

Property

Mining 
property

Construction  
in progress

Plant 

Equipment

Leasehold 
improvements

Computer 
equipment  
and software

Furniture and 
fittings

Office 
equipment

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Motor  
vehicles

$

Total

$

2019

At 1 July 2018

Cost

Accumulated 
depreciation

3,122,668 

2,385,550

7,207,543

67,934,702

723,685

21,633

470,206

104,439

110,512

835,065

82,916,003

(90,442)

(1,799,499)

–

(42,817,350)

(534,071)

(21,141)

(411,588)

(85,869)

(85,495)

(493,555)

(46,339,010)

Net carrying value

3,032,226

586,051

7,207,543

25,117,352

189,614

492

58,618

18,570

25,017

341,510

36,576,993

Year ended  

30 June 2019

Opening net 
carrying value

Exchange 
differences

Additions

Re-classification

Disposals

Assets for sale

Depreciation 
charge

Closing net 
carrying value

At 30 June 2019

492

100

3,032,226

586,051

7,207,543

25,117,352

189,614

58,618

18,570

25,017

341,510

36,576,993

(79,151)

22,540

–

–

–

(16,498)

(206,361)

(628,732)

(4,764)

(1,221)

–

–

–

–

2,309,914

5,928,295

108,004

21,307

106,095

(5,117,997)

4,966,617

–

–

(426)

(2,218)

(16,208)

–

–

–

(1,449)

(819)

–

(493)

7,630

–

–

–

(643)

(8,294)

(946,057)

9,594

1,449

–

–

245,238

8,758,617

–

–

–

(151,380)

(1,245)

(18,426)

(18,757)

(222,267)

(6,032,796)

(73,281)

(361)

(46,258)

(9,166)

(9,064)

(129,613)

(6,541,563)

–

–

–

2,956,858

347,286

4,193,099

29,348,092

203,365

21,538

114,966

16,541

26,353

448,841

37,676,939

Cost

3,063,796

2,323,263

4,193,099

78,193,987

784,159

42,489

560,176

109,383

117,358

1,017,695

90,405,405

Accumulated 
depreciation

Net carrying value

(106,938)

(1,975,977)

–

(48,845,895)

(580,794)

(20,951)

(445,210)

(92,842)

(91,005)

(568,854)

(52,728,466)

2,956,858

347,286

4,193,099

29,348,092

203,365

21,538

114,966

16,541

26,353

448,841

37,676,939

LEASED ASSETS

Motor vehicles include the following amounts where the Group is a lessee under a finance lease:

Motor vehicles

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

2020

$

2019

$

455,791

(182,474)

273,317

692,472

(289,557)

402,915

During the year, the Group acquired under finance lease motor vehicles with a carrying amount of $95,012 (2019: $ 205,176).

BORROWING COSTS

No borrowing costs have been capitalised during the year.

NON-CURRENT ASSETS PLEDGED AS SECURITY

Leased assets are pledged as security for the related finance lease liability (refer to note 21). No other non-current assets are pledged as 
security for any liabilities.

70

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONIMPAIRMENT OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Given the constant pressure on the platinum price and the effects of COVID-19 on the markets, 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.  
Refer to note 4B.

COMMITMENTS FOR PLANT CONSTRUCTION 

At 30 June 2020, commitments signed for continued improvements of the plants were $850,789 (2019: $621,941).

CHANGE IN ESTIMATES

During the year management was informed of the extension of the mining rights of the host mines. As the Group’s production is linked to the 
current arisings and the dump material from the host mine operations, management feels it is prudent to align the useful life of the plants to 
that of the mining rights given the Service and Supply contract with the host mine grants the Group the right to process all the current tailings 
as well as certain new mine tailings should they be developed. However, the extended mine rights must be considered in conjunction with 
the resources available (including the historical dumps) and the closure of certain host mines to ensure that the new expected useful life is the 
best estimate. As a result, the expected useful life of the plant will be ten years from 1 July 2020. The change in the estimate will result in an 
estimated increase in profit of $1,816,360 for the 2021 financial year.

FULLY DEPRECIATED ASSETS

Plant with a gross carrying amount of $26,318,523 is fully depreciated but still in use.

16.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank and on hand

Short-term deposits

Short-term deposits – restricted cash

Assets held for sale

2020

$

13,267,984

41,824,988

791,554

(7,914)

2019

$

8,893,037

11,926,683

981,585

(4,164)

55,876,612

21,797,141

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 $55,876,612 (2019: $21,797,141).

At 30 June 2020, the Group had $1,665,011 (2019: $2,029,252) of undrawn borrowing facilities available.

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 $766,025 (2019: $981,585) in order to fulfil collateral 
requirements for the guarantees held below.

Bank guarantees are held as follows:

Eskom

The Department of Mineral Resources

Growthpoint

2020

$

 695,126

42,891 

 21,708

2019

$

847,193

52,274

26,923

71

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

17.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables 

Other receivables

Assets held for sale

2020

$

11,380,891

546,621

(15,157)

11,912,355

2019

$

7,045,750

870,683

(117,121)

7,799,312

Trade receivables are due from major minerals mining and processing companies. None of the amounts are past due or impaired.

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

18.  INVENTORIES

Stores and materials

2020

$

2019

$

 2,166,294 

 2,166,294 

1,827,399

1,827,399

Inventories of $2,392,594 (2019: $2,448,629) were recognised as an expense during the current year and included in cost of sales. 

STORES AND MATERIALS

Critical spares and consumables are held in stock for engineering breakdowns. 

19.  ISSUED CAPITAL

AUTHORISED CAPITAL

Ordinary shares with a par value of $0.01

ISSUED CAPITAL

Share capital

Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares fully paid

 2020 

No of shares

 2020 

$

2019 

$

1,000,000,000

10,000,000

10,000,000

 2020 

 2019 

No of shares No of shares

 2020 

$

2019 

$

 286,845,657 

289,724,772

2,868,457

2,897,248

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 holding company, ordinary shareholders rank after all creditors and are fully entitled to 
any proceeds on liquidation.

72

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION 
 
 
MOVEMENTS IN ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL

Date

1 July 2019 

30 June 2020 

1 July 2018 

30 June 2019 

Details

Opening balance

Cancellation of shares 1

Closing balance

Opening balance

Cancellation of shares

Closing balance

1 2,879,115 shares were cancelled out of treasury.

Number of shares

$

 289,724,772 

(2,879,115) 

 286,845,657 

291,133,661

(1,408,889)

289,724,772

 2,897,248 

 (28,791) 

2,868,457

2,911,337

(14,089)

2,897,248

On 3 March 2020, the Company announced a Share Buyback Programme (the “Share Buyback 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 approved a programme to offer to buy back up to 1,650,339 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$0.9195. 
The closing date for the Share Buyback Programme was 30 June 2020. The Programme has been extended to 30 September 2020.

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 27 for further details.

Date

Opening balance at 1 July 2019

Shares purchased

Shares purchased through Share Buyback Programme

Shares cancelled

Share options exercised and shares issued to directors

Closing balance as at 30 June 2020 

20. RESERVES 

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF RESERVES

•  Reserve for own shares

Number of shares

 4,209,635

 14,265,848 

671,947

 (2,879,115)

(1,275,000)

 14,993,315

The reserve comprises the cost of the Company’s shares held by the Group as treasury shares. Refer to notes 19 and 27 for further details.

•  Foreign currency translation reserve

The foreign currency translation reserve comprises the exchange differences arising from the translation of financial statements of foreign 
controlled entities.

•  Share-based payment reserve

This reserve comprises the value of equity benefits provided to employees, consultants and directors as part of their remuneration. Refer note 27.

•  Non-controlling interests reserve

This reserve comprises the 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. 

•  Equity reserve

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

73

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

21.  BORROWINGS

At 30 June 2020 

Lease liabilities

Due within one year

Due between one and five years

At 30 June 2019
Finance lease liabilities

At 30 June 2019 
Due within one year
Due between one and five years

Future minimum 
lease payments due

$

235,629

262,093

497,722

207,252
209,900

417,152

Finance  
charges

$

(19,711)

(26,517)

(46,228)

(19,272)
(25,510)

(44,782)

Present value of 
minimum lease 
payments due

$

215,918

235,576

451,494

187,980
184,390

372,370

Finance lease liabilities are secured over various motor vehicles and are repayable in monthly instalments of $12,959 (2019: $18,918) and bear 
interest at rates varying between 7.50% and 8.25% (2019:10% and 10.75%) p.a. Refer to note 15 for further detail on non-current assets pledged 
as security.

22. PROVISIONS

Rehabilitation provision
Movement in provision

Balance at beginning of financial year
Foreign currency movements
Unwinding of discount factor
Change in estimate
Balance at end of financial year

2020

$

2019

$

3,646,044

3,481,232

3,481,232
(708,195)
215,688
657,319
3,646,044

3,685,257
(96,799)
225,720
(332,946)
3,481,232

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 (refer note 4B). 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.

74

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION23.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables
Accrued expenses
Other trade payables*
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale

2020

$

2,698,755
3,733,067
1,112,156
(24,250)
7,519,728

2019

$

3,070,766
3,247,602
398,746
(1,327)
6,715,787

*Other trade payables mainly consist of Value Added Tax (“VAT”) payable on trade receivables. Due to the increase in trade receivables the VAT increased.

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.

24.  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:

Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

Write-off of property, plant and equipment

Impairment of exploration and evaluation asset

Realised foreign exchange loss

Finance income

Finance costs

Depreciation

Rehabilitation provisions

Share-based payments

Forgiveness of debt

2020

$

2019

$

55,947,020

24,394,495

(64)

(9,981)

9,504,774

10,877

(1,916,197)

307,756

5,745,896

1,098,613

683,460

–

(13,192)

–

–

–

(1,018,607)

324,628

6,541,565

(643,837)

305,440

37,806

Net operating profit before working capital changes

71,372,154

29,928,298

Changes in working capital:

Increase in trade and other receivables and contract assets

Increase in inventories

Increase 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

Income tax recognised in profit or loss

Foreign currency movements

Balance payable at the end of the year

Less: Balance receivable at the end of the year

Taxation paid

75

(1,693,507)

(733,980)

2,046,548

70,991,215

1,844,683

(56,309)

(14,756,364)

58,023,225

(6,061,892)

(232,790)

945,274

24,578,890

950,280

(70,647)

(8,092,853)

17,365,670

278,640

13,668

(16,333,789)

(7,828,945)

100,508

(15,954,641)

1,199,324

(1,047)

(14,756,364)

1,064

(7,814,213)

980

(279,620)

(8,092,853)

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

25. NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

(a) Borrowings and leases

Balance owing at the beginning of the year
Cash flow items

Finance lease payments during the year
Lease payments during the year
Non-cash flow

New finance leases
New leases
Foreign currency movements
Closing balance

(b) Treasury shares

Treasury shares opening balance
Cash flow items

Purchase of treasury shares
Non-cash flow items

Share options & bonus shares exercised
Shares issued
Shares cancelled
Closing balance

(c) Bonus shares

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 expensed
Closing balance

26. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

2020

$

2019

$

(372,370)

(306,595)

194,611
75,762

(114,737)
(317,002)
82,242
451,494

147,674
–

(221,059)
–
7,610
(372,370)

(1,046,409)

(1,141,362)

(8,544,976)

(119,606)

481,976
136,939
1,356,342
(7,616,128)

–
–
214,559
(1,046,409)

(3,872,944)

(3,567,504)

–

481,976

(546,521)
(3,937,489)

–

–

(305,440)
(3,872,944)

In 2019 the Board committed to a plan to sell 100% of the shares in, and shareholder claims against Grasvally Chrome Mine (Pty) Ltd 
(“Grasvally”), an insignificant part of the Exploration segment of the Group to Forward Africa Mining (Pty) Ltd (“FAM”). In terms of the original 
agreement, FAM had eight months from the date of acceptance of the offer to fulfil standard conditions precedent. However, with the chrome 
market downturn and the primary financier withdrawing due to ill health, an Option Agreement valid for 12 months has been signed by both 
parties. The Board remains committed to its plan to sell Grasvally.

The following table summarises the carrying value for the assets held for sale and the liabilities directly associated with the assets held for sale:

Exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Assets held for sale

Trade and other payables
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale

76

2020

$

3,368,837
15,119
7,915
15,155
29,060
3,436,086

(24,250)
(24,250)

2019

$

3,988,151
18,426
4,164
117,121
35,430
4,163,292

(1,327)
(1,327)

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNo impairments have been recognised on Grasvally.

There are no cumulative income or expenses included in OCI relating to the disposal group.

27.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLAN

EXPENSE RECOGNISED THROUGH PROFIT AND LOSS

Expense arising from equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Total expense

SHARE BONUS AWARD

2020

$

683,460

683,460

2019

$

305,440

305,440

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 have a vesting period of three years and vest on  
16 August 2020. Employees are required to achieve a minimum of a three rating on their performance appraisals.

On 24 August 2018, 2,710,000 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 have a vesting period of three years and vest on 
23 August 2021. Employees are required to achieve a minimum of a three rating on their performance appraisals.

On 22 August 2019, 1,780,000 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 have a vesting period of three years and vest on  
21 August 2022. Employees are required to achieve a minimum of a three rating on their performance appraisals.

BONUS SHARES

Issue date

2020 

17 August 2017

24 August 2018

22 August 2019

Total

2019 

17 August 2017

24 August 2018

Total

Fair value at 
issue date

Balance at 
start of the 
year

Issued during 
the year

Balance at 
the end of the 
year

$

Number

Number

Number

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

2,675,000

2,710,000

–

5,385,000

2,675,000

–

2,675,000

–

–

1,780,000

1,780,000

–

2,710,000

2,710,000

2,675,000

2,710,000

1,780,000

7,165,000

2,675,000

2,710,000

5,385,000

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 2020.

77

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

27.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLAN continued

Fair value at grant date ($)

Expected volatility (%)

Risk-free rate (%)

Expected life (years)

Share price at grant date ($)

Exercise price ($)

Expected dividend yield ($)

2020

0.39

75.84

7.00

3

0.39

Nil

Nil

2019

0.202

48.61

7.75

3

0.202

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.

28. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The fair value for financial assets and liabilities at amortised cost as detailed below approximates the carrying value.

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables *

Cash and cash equivalents

Other financial assets

Financial liabilities

Borrowings 

Trade and other payables

2020

$

2019

$

11,457,536

55,876,612

848,720

68,182,868

7,215,304

21,797,141

556,895

29,569,340

(451,494)

(7,519,728)

(7,971,222)

(372,370)

(6,715,788)

(7,088,158)

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

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 (foreign currency risk and interest rate 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.

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

•  The statement of financial position sensitivity relates to interest-bearing borrowings.

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

78

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION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 Board prefer 
not to utilise funding from financing institutions.

The Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged during the years ended 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2019.

The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the holding company comprising issued capital, reserves 
and retained profits (Refer to notes 19 and 20).

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.

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 two types of risk: foreign currency risk and interest rate 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. 

Foreign currency risk

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).

The financial instruments exposed to foreign currency risk are as follows:

Financial assets

Trade receivables

2020

$

2019

$

11,248,911

6,317,529

A reasonably possible strengthening (weakening) of the Rand (ZAR) against the US dollar (USD) at 30 June 2020 would have affected the 
measurement of financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency and affected equity and profit or loss by the amounts shown below. 
The analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant and ignores any impact of forecast sales and purchases.

 2020 

2019

Equity 
increase/ 
(decrease)

Profit/(loss)

Equity 
increase/ 
(decrease)

Profit/(loss)

$

$

$

$

2,812,228

(2,812,228)

1,579,382

(1,579,382)

(1,874,818)

1,874,818

(1,052,921)

1,052,921

20% (2019: 20%) appreciation 

20% (2019: 20%) depreciation 

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.

79

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

28. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

Interest rate risk continued

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

Financial liabilities

Borrowings 

2020

$

2019

$

 55,876,612 

21,797,141

 (451,494)

(372,370)

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 $281,641 (2019: $110,848). The impact on 
equity would have been the same.

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 and contract assets. 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. 

Trade receivables and contract assets

At reporting date, there is a significant concentration of credit risk represented in the trade receivables balance 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 ECLs are calculated based on the Advanced method, which take into consideration the Probability of default (PD), the exposure at default 
(EAD) and the loss given default (LGD). Rates are obtained from reputable ratings agencies.

The following table provides information about the exposure to credit risk and ECLs for trade receivables, other financial assets and contract 
assets as at 30 June 2020.

Trade receivables – Current (not past due)

Other financial assets

Contract assets

Weighted-
average 
 loss rate 

%

0.115374

0.115374

0.115374

Gross 
carrying 
amount

$

11,457,535

848,720

15,161,814

Loss 
allowance

Credit-
impaired

$

13,219

979

17,493

No

No

No

80

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCash and cash equivalents

The Group held cash and cash equivalents of $ 55,876,612 at 30 June 2020. The cash and cash equivalents are held with banks which are rated 
P-3 to P-1 based on Moody’s Investment Services.

Impairment on cash and cash equivalents has been measured on a 12-month expected loss basis and reflects the short maturities of the 
exposures. The Group considers that its cash and cash equivalents have low credit risk based on the external credit ratings of the banks. No 
impairment has been recognised for the year.

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. 

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

Less than 1 
year

1 – 5 Years

$

$

$

7,519,728

451,494

7,971,222

6,715,787

372,370

7,088,157

7,519,728

451,494

7,971,222

6,715,787

372,370

7,088,157

7,519,728

215,918

7,735,646

6,715,787

187,980

6,903,767

$

–

235,576

235,576

–

184,390

184,390

Total

$

7,519,728

451,494

7,971,222

6,715,787

372,370

7,088,157

2020

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

2019

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

29.  LEASES

A.  LEASES AS LESSEE (IFRS 16) 

The Group has a commercial lease agreement whereby it leases its current office premises, in Johannesburg. This lease has an average life of 
five years with no renewal option. Lease payments are escalated at 9% per annum. Previously this lease was classified as an operating lease 
under IAS17.

The Group leases motor vehicles under instalment sale agreements, which were previously classified as finance leases under IAS17. Refer to 
notes 15 and 21.

The Group leases various office equipment. Office equipment with a value of $5,000 or less are regarded low value. The Group has elected not 
to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for low value assets.

Containers are leased for office space on two of the operational plants. These leases are for a period of two to four years. 

81

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

29.  LEASES continued

A.  LEASES AS LESSEE (IFRS 16) continued

Information about leases for which the Group is a lessee is presented below:

Right-of-use assets

Right-of-use assets related to leased properties that do not meet the definition of investment property are 
presented as property, plant and equipment. Refer to note 15.

2020

$

2019

$

Office premises

Balance at 1 July 

Depreciation charge for the year

Exchange rate difference

Balance at 30 June

Office equipment

Balance at 1 July 

Depreciation charge for the year

Exchange rate difference

Balance at 30 June

Plant

Balance at 1 July* 

Depreciation charge for the year

Addition of right-of-use asset

Exchange rate difference

Balance at 30 June

*Correction under IFRS16

Operating leases under IAS 17

Future minimum lease payments (net of VAT) under non-cancellable leases as at 30 June 2019:

Office premises

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

B.  LEASES AS LESSOR

257,616

(71,994)

(39,097)

146,525

36,088

(8,194)

(5,657)

22,237

21,383

(14,790)

30,822

(5,346)

32,069

86,225

213,740

299,965

15,205

34,188

49,393

The Group leases out certain portions of the property owned by Zoetveld Properties (Pty) Ltd to a third party exclusively for the grazing 
of livestock. This lease has an average life of three years terminating on 30 April 2020, and thereafter for an indefinite period subject to 
termination by either party on a six months’ notice to the other party. Lease payments escalates at 9% per annum. The Group has classified this 
lease as an operating lease, because it does not transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to the ownership of the asset.

Rental income recognised by the Group during 2020 was $43,986 (2019: $44,894).

82

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION30. 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

2020

TM McConnachie – retired 29 February 2020

RA Williams

SA Murray

E Carr

JJ Prinsloo – appointed 1 March 2020

L Carminati – appointed 1 March 2020

2019

TM McConnachie

RA Williams

SA Murray

Balance  
at the start  
of the year

Sold  
during  
the year

Balance  
at the end  
of the year

Issued

5,015,000

1,067,000

1,000,000

–

1,371,276

1,231,543

5,015,000

1,067,000

1,000,000

200,000

(5,215,000)

–

–

–

(411,382)

(369,462)

25,000

25,000

25,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,092,000

1,025,000

25,000

959,894

862,081

5,015,000

1,067,000

1,000,000

All equity transactions with key management personnel other than those arising under the 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.

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

Director

2020 

TM McConnachie – retired 29 February 2020

JJ Prinsloo – appointed 1 March 2020

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

L Carminati – appointed 1 March 2020

Sub-total

Other key management 

Total

Short Term Benefits

Cash salary/ 
Consulting fees

$

Bonus1

$

Share-based 
payment

Equity 
shares/bonus 
shares2

Total

$

$

99,590

23,198

12,449

12,449

12,449

21,345

436,259

128,538

137,449

97,449

111,449

119,834

Directors’  
fees

$

–

25,000

125,000

85,000

75,000

25,000

335,000

181,480

1,030,978

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

184,574

184,574

–

335,000

181,252

362,732

1,193,125

2,224,103

336,669

80,340

–

–

24,000

73,489

514,498

827,299

1,341,797

83

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

30. KEY MANAGEMENT DISCLOSURE continued

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION continued

Director

TM McConnachie

SA Murray

RA Williams

E Carr

Sub-total

Other key management 

Total

Short Term Benefits

Cash salary/ 
Consulting fees

$

505,004

–

–

24,000

529,004

948,135

1,477,139

Bonus1

$

–

–

–

–

–

268,396

268,396

Directors’  
fees

$

–

125,000

85,000

75,000

285,000

–

285,000

Share-based 
payment

Equity 
shares/bonus 
shares2

$

–

–

–

–

–

Total

$

505,004

125,000

85,000

99,000

814,004

119,858

119,858

1,336,389

2,150,393

1 Cash bonuses were awarded to directors and key personnel based on individual performance.
2 Share-based payments on bonus shares granted – refer to note 27. 

31.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Sylvania Platinum Limited, a Bermudan registered company and the 
controlled entities listed in the following table:

Name of Entity

Country of incorporation

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

Sylvania Exploration (Pty) Ltd 

Mauritius

Mauritius

Mauritius

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Hacra Mining and Exploration Company (Pty) Ltd 

South Africa

Pan Palladium South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Volspruit Mining Company (Pty) Ltd

Zoetveld Properties (Pty) Ltd

Grasvally Chrome Mine (Pty) Ltd

Grasvally Resources (Pty) Ltd

PT Sands (Pty) Ltd

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Class of 
shares

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Equity Holding

2020

%

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

74

100

100

67

100

74

100

74

100

100

2019

%

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

74

100

100

67

100

74

100

74

100

100

Sylvania Platinum Limited is the ultimate holding company 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.

84

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATION31.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

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

Entity controlled by a director during the period

•  Indian Ocean Smelters (Pty) Ltd

TERMS AND CONDITIONS WITH CONTROLLED ENTITIES

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

INVESTMENTS IN JOINT OPERATION

The Group has a 50% interest in TS Consortium, which operates a pilot pelletiser plant in South Africa (2019: 50%). 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS WITH LOAN TO JOINT OPERATION

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

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Service fees and consulting 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

Consulting fees paid to related parties

Indian Ocean Smelters (Pty) Ltd

LOANS TO RELATED PARTIES

Balance outstanding at 30 June

Loan to joint operation (TS Consortium)

32.  EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

2020

$

2019

$

(3,045)

(4,460)

(28,174)

–

2020

$

2019

$

622,711

556,906

The directors are not aware of any matter or circumstance arising since the end of the reporting period, not otherwise dealt with in the 
financial statements, which significantly affects the financial position of the Group or the results of its operations.

33.  GOING CONCERN

The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies are detailed in note 28 and available borrowing facilities are set out in note 16.

The Group identified the principal risk and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Management has produced forecasts and budgets 
that have been sensitised to reflect plausible downside scenarios as a result of COVID-19 and its impact on the global economy.

The Group has sufficient cash reserves and resources to continue to meet its obligations even in the event if operations were to be placed on 
care and maintenance for 12 months.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread economic impact across the globe, the Group is in the fortunate position to operate in 
an essential industry and have a lower risk business model that has allowed for continued operations. Management monitors the government 
announcements, the industry, markets and operations to ensure any risk is monitored and mitigated where possible.

After reviewing the effects of COVID-19, 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 at least 12 months from date of signing the financial statements. 

85

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONADDITIONAL INFORMATION  
FOR LISTED PUBLIC COMPANIES
SHAREHOLDERS PROFILE AS AT 30 JUNE

SHAREHOLDERS HOLDING 3% OR MORE FULLY PAID SHARES

Shareholder

Number of shares

% Shareholding1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Africa Asia Capital

Hargreaves Lansdown

Fidelity International

Interactive Investor

Premier Miton Investor

AJ Bell

Barclays Smart Investor

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise

Halifax Share Dealing

57,392,071

31,141,763

22,032,037

18,800,527

16,873,395

11,953,728

10,439,943

8,920,454

8,168,080

185,721,998

21.06

11.43

8.08

6.90

6.19

4.39

3.83

3.27

3.00

68.15

1  The percentage shareholdings are calculated on the total number of ordinary shares with voting rights being 271,852,342 shares. The total issued number of shares is 

286,845,657 including 14,993,315 shares held in treasury.

86

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONGLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following definitions apply throughout the consolidated financial statements:

4E PGMs

6E PGMs

4E PGM ounces include the precious metal elements platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold

6E ounces include the 4E elements plus additional iridium and ruthenium

Adjusted Group EBITDA

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation adjusted for impairments

AGM

AIM

Annual General Meeting

Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange

All-in sustaining cost

Production cost plus all costs relating to sustaining current production and sustaining capital expenditure

All-in cost

BEE

Bonus Shares

BIC

CGU

All-in sustaining cost plus non-sustaining expansion capital expenditure

Black Economic Empowerment

Sylvania Platinum Limited Bonus Share Award Plan

Bushveld Igneous Complex

Cash generating unit

Current arisings

Fresh chrome tails from current operating host mines processing operations

DI

DMRE

EBITDA

EA

EIA

EIR

EMPR

FAM

GBP

IASB

IFRIC

IFRS

IRR

I&Aps

JORC

JV

LED

Lesedi

LSE

LTI

Depository interests

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation

Environmental Authorisation

Environmental Impact Assessment

Effective interest rate

Environmental Management Programme Report

Forward Africa Mining (Pty) Ltd

Pounds Sterling

International Accounting Standards Board

International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee

International Financial Reporting Standards

Internal Rate of Return

Interested and Affected Parties

Joint Ore Reserves Committee

Joint venture

Local Economic Development

Phoenix Platinum Mining Property Limited, renamed Sylvania Lesedi

London Stock Exchange

Lost time injury

87

 Annual Report 2020SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONGLOSSARY OF TERMS continued

MAR

MF2

MPRDA

MRA

MTO

NOMR

NWA

PDMR

PGM

Pipeline ounces

Pipeline revenue

Pipeline sales adjustment

PPD

Programme

Project Echo

QCA

Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014

Milling and flotation technology

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 

Mining Right Application

Mining Titles Office

New Order Mining Right

National Water Act 36 of 1998

Persons displaying managerial responsibilities as defined by the Market Abuse Regulation

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

6E ounces delivered but not invoiced

Revenue recognised for ounces delivered, but not yet invoiced based on contractual timelines

Adjustments to pipeline revenues based on the basket price for the period between delivery and 
invoicing 

Pan Palladium

Sylvania Platinum Share Buyback Programme

Secondary PGM Milling and Flotation (MF2) program announced in FY2017 to design and install 
additional new additional fine grinding mills and flotation circuits at Millsell, Doornbosch, Tweefontein 
and Mooinooi.

Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code 2018 for Smaller Companies in accordance 
with AIM Rules

Revenue (by products)

Revenue earned on ruthenium, iridium, nickel and copper

ROM

SDO

Shares

SLP

Sylvania

The Code

TS Consortium

USD

VWAP

WIP

WULA

UK

ZAR

Run of mine

Sylvania dump operations

Common shares

Social and Labour Plan

Sylvania Platinum Limited, a company incorporated in Bermuda

UK Corporate Governance Code

Tizer Sylvania Consortium

United States Dollar

Volume-weighted average price

Work in progress

Water Use Licence Application

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

South African Rand

88

Sylvania PlatinumSYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONCORPORATE DIRECTORY

DIRECTORS
SA Murray – Independent Non-executive Chairman
JJ Prinsloo – Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer
L Carminati – Financial Director & 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

SOLICITORS

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

Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
4 More London Riverside
London
SE1 2AU
United Kingdom

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

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

SYLVANIA SNAPSHOTSTRATEGIC LEADERSHIPGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSANCILLARY INFORMATIONw w w. s y l v a n i a p l a t i n u m . c o m