Eastern Platinum Limited Reports Record Annual Full Year Revenue FOR 2023, Announces Restatement of Comparatives, and Provides Its Targets FOR 2024
1080 - 1188 West Georgia St.
Vancouver, BC Canada V6E 4A2
NEWS RELEASE
EASTERN PLATINUM LIMITED REPORTS RECORD ANNUAL FULL YEAR REVENUE
FOR 2023, ANNOUNCES RESTATEMENT OF COMPARATIVES, AND PROVIDES ITS
TARGETS FOR 2024
Vancouver, British Columbia , May 3, 202 4 – Eastern Platinum Limited (TSX:
ELR)(JSE:EPS)(“Eastplats” or the “ Company”) is pleased to report that it has filed its Audited
Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and the
corresponding Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form. Below is a
summary of the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023 (“Q4 2023”) and for the
fiscal year ended December 31 , 2023 (“FY2023”) (all amounts in USD unless specified) in
comparison to the restated periods in 2022 (“Restated Q4 2022” and “ Restated FY2022”,
respectively):
• Revenue for Q4 2023 increased to $30.5 million ( Restated Q4 2022 - $12.4 million),
representing a 146.0% increase. Revenue for FY2023 increased to $106.9 million, a record
full year high (Restated FY2022 - $53.9 million), representing a 98.3% increase.
• Mine operating income increased by $9.6 million to $7.8 million in Q4 2023 (Restated Q4
2022 mine operating loss - -$1.8 million), resulting in a gross margin of 25.5% in Q4 2023
as compared to -14.5% in Restated Q4 2022. Mine operating income in FY2023 increased
by $ 24.0 million to $31.6 million (Restated FY2022 - $7.6 million), resulting in a gross
margin of 29.5% in FY2023 as compared to 14.2% in Restated FY2022.
• Operating income was $2.8 million in Q4 2023 compared to an operating loss of -$4.8
million in Restated Q4 2022. Operating income increased by $23.2 million to $18.5 million
in FY2023 from an operating loss of -$4.7 million in Restated FY2022, a 493.6% increase
in operating income.
• Net income attributable to shareholders was $3.3 million ($0.02 earnings per share) in Q4
2023 versus $1.4 million ($0.01 earnings per share) in Restated Q4 2022. The increase in
net income was largely attributable to the significant increase in third -party chrome
concentrate sales in the period offset by pre -production costs of $2.1 million as the
Company initiated the restart of the Zandfontein underground section at the Crocodile
River Mine (“ CRM”). The Restated Q4 2022 net income was attributable to a restated
operating loss offset by other income of $6. 6 million, which was mainly related to the
change in value of the Company’s loans payable.
• Net income attributable to shareholders in creased to $13.8 million ($0.08 earnings per
share) in FY2023 compared to a net loss attributable to shareholders of -$0.9 million ($0.01
loss per share) in Restated FY2022. The i ncrease in income during FY2023 is mainly
attributable to the increased revenue and gross margins generated by remining and
processing the Company’s tailings resources at the CRM to produce chrome concentrate
and platinum group metals (“ PGM”) concentrate, respectively, offset by pre -production
costs incurred in Q4 2023 as described in the previous point. The Restated FY2022 net
loss was attributable to an operating loss offset by other income of $7.9 million, which
mainly related to the change in value of the Company’s loans payable.
• The Company had a working capital deficit (current assets less current liabilities) of $15.5
million as at December 31, 2023 (Restated December 31, 2022 – working capital deficit of
$37.8 million) and short-term cash resources of $21.3 million (consisting of cash, cash
equivalents, and short-term investments)(Restated December 31, 2022 - $2.4 million).
Wanjin Yang, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eastplats commented, “We are proud of
the results that our chrome and PGM businesses have achieved. The team continues to work hard
as the Retreatment Project comes to an end , turning its focus to ramping up underground
tonnages in the Zandfontein underground section at the Crocodile River Mine. Eastplats remains
committed to continuing its operational and cost efficiency initiatives while being mindful of PGM
market price movements.”
Prior Year Error - Restatement of Comparatives
Certain 2022 comparative numbers in the FY2023 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
and corresponding Management’s Discussion and Analysis have been restated to correct an error
in the Fiscal 2022 consolidated financial statements that was identified subsequent to the 2022
year-end and is discussed below.
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s c onsolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2023, an error was identified in the recognition of revenue related to a
chrome concentrate sales transaction in the fourth quarter of 2022, which impacts the Company’s
previously filed audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022
and its unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31,
2023 (“ Restated Q1 2023”). Chrome concentrate revenue is recognized when control is
transferred to the buyer and payment is considered probable. A sales transaction that was
included in deferred revenue at the end of 2022 and recognized as revenue in the first quarter of
2023 should have been recognized in the fourth quarter of 2022 based on the fact that the
Company had met all of its required performance obligations at the time , as supported by the
underlying contract and bill of lading . Previously reported revenue from 2022 was thus
understated by $4.0 million, with associated errors in production costs, inventories and deferred
revenue.
The following table presents the effects of the restatement on the individual line items within the
Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss), Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Loss) and Statement of Financial Position, expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for per
share amounts. The corrected prior period error had no impact on cash flows.
Year Ended December 31, 2022
As previously
reported Adjustment As restated
$ $ $
Revenue 49,834 4,049 53,883
Production costs (39,739) (2,339) (42,078)
Mine operating income 5,930 1,710 7,640
Operating income (loss) (6,453) 1,710 (4,743)
Net income (loss) for the year (2,504) 1,710 (794)
Net (loss) attributable to equity
shareholders of the Company (2,648) 1,710 (938)
Earnings (loss) per share, basic and
diluted (0.02) 0.01 (0.01)
Comprehensive income (loss) for the
year (8,947) 1,766 (7,181)
As at December 31, 2022
As previously
reported Adjustment As restated
$ $ $
Inventories (current) 11,320 (2,418) 8,902
Deferred revenue (current) 17,300 (4,184) 13,116
The Restated Q1 2023 comparatives will be presented in the interim consolidated financial
statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which are due to be filed by May 15,
2024.
The consolidated financial statements and related financial information for the affected period
contained in the Company’s filings filed prior to May 3, 2024 should no longer be relied upon.
Operations
The Company generated revenue from processing PGM and chrome concentrates during Q4
2023 and FY2023. Eastplats’ majority of revenue (approximately 96% and 95% for Q4 2023 and
FY2023, respectively) is from chrome concentrate sales. Until July of 2022, this revenue was
based on the Union Goal offtake agreement (the “Union Goal Offtake Agreement”) entered into
between the Company’s subsidiary Barplats Mines (Pty) Limited (“ Barplats”) and Union Goal
Offshore Solution Limited (“Union Goal”) in relation to chrome concentrate production from the
Retreatment Project. Previously, and until the end of the second quarter of 2022, the Retreatment
Project produced revenue based on tons of material made available for processing by remining
and processing the tailings, recovery of certain operational costs and allocation of the upfront
cash payment for the offtake of chrome concentrate to Union Goal.
Additional non -cash deferred revenue was recognized based on tons made available for
processing from the discounting of the chrome equipment debt and the construction loan based
on an effective discount rate. Although the Union Goal Offtake Agreement remains in place, Union
Goal stopped taking shipments of chrome concentrate in June 2022. Since July 1, 2022, chrome
revenue has been recognized only through third -party sales of chrome concentrate. The
Company also derives PGM revenue under a PGM offtake agree ment with Impala Platinum
Limited (“Impala”) from further processing of tailings materials following the production of chrome
concentrates. The Retreatment Project is expected to continue operating into late 2024 when the
original CRM tailings from the tailings storage facility (“TSF”) are expected to be fully processed.
The Company has initiated the restart of the Zandfontein underground section and is expected to
process underground Run-of-Mine (“ROM”) ore in May or June of 2024.
Summary of chrome production for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 and
2022:
Q4 2023 Q4 2022 FY2023 FY2022
Total Tailings
Feed (Tons) 480,777 655,011 2,247,705 2,548,785
Average grade
Cr concentrate 38.7% 38.6% 38.7% 38.7%
Tons of Cr
concentrate 109,056 156,738 486,166 602,111
Summary of PGM production for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Q4 2023 Q4 2022 FY2023 FY2022
Tons of PGM
concentrate(dry) 900 1,337 3,869 5,616
PGM ounces
produced (6E)* 1,366 2,232 6,660 8,742
*PGM 6E ounces are estimates until final exchanges and umpire results have been concluded,
which can take up to three months.
Outlook
The Company’s targets for 2024 are as follows:
• Resolve the outstanding receivables and related matters with Union Goal (ongoing);
• Ramp-up the Zandfontein underground operations (ongoing);
• Confirm capital plans to support the full re-opening of Zandfontein underground operations
at the CRM from external or internal sources (ongoing);
• Complete the second phase of the TSF capital works program and confirm the TSF dam
space for new ROM tailings (ongoing);
• Optimize Main Plant Circuit B for underground operations (initiated);
• Renovate Circuit D to high energy flotation cells for better ROM processing recovery rate
to 82% or higher (initiated);
• Advance the Mareesburg and Spitzkop project environmental work to complete the
Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) and other environmental studies and
amendments (ongoing); and
• Continue prospecting and assessment work in relation to Zandfontein, Crocette and
Kareespruit sections of the CRM and Kennedy’s Vale and Spitzkop mines at the eastern
limb of the Bushveld Complex (ongoing).
Eastplats completed a life -of-mine study and underground mine design for Zandfontein in 2022
and the Board of Directors supported carrying out the Zandfontein underground restart business
plan, subject to final evaluation and funding arrangements. During 2024, the Company is focusing
on ramping up operations at the Zandfontein underground, subject to capital availability and
profitability of its chrome operations. If successful, PGM production is expected to increase in
2024. There are no other expected changes to the business in 2024.
Care and maintenance will continue for the Company’s previously developed eastern limb
projects for 2024. The Company is actively looking at opportunities for its other assets including
continuing to explore options to utilize or monetize these assets.
The Company has a primary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the
JSE Limited.
The Company has filed the following documents, under the Company’s profile on SEDAR + at
www.sedarplus.ca:
• Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023;
• Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023; and
• Annual Information Form at December 31, 2023.
The audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 is
available for download at https://www.eastplats.com/investors/quarterly-reports/F2023/ and is
also available on the JSE’s website at:
https://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2023/JSE/ISSE/EPS/FY23.pdf.
About Eastern Platinum Limited
Eastplats owns directly and indirectly a number of PGM and chrome assets in the Republic of
South Africa. All of the Company’s properties are situated on the western limb (Crocodile River
Mine) and eastern limb (Kennedy’s Vale, Spitzkop, Mareesburg) of the Bushveld Complex, the
geological environment that hosts approximately 80% of the world’s PGM-bearing ore.
Operations at the Crocodile River Mine currently include re -mining and processing its tailings
resource from the Barplats Zandfontein tailings dam and mining and processing ore from the
Zandfontein underground section to both produce PGM and chrome concentrates.
For further information, please contact:
EASTERN PLATINUM LIMITED
Wylie Hui, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
(604) 568-8200
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains “forward -looking statements” or “forward -looking information” (collectively
referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation.
Such forward -looking statements include, without limitation, forecasts, estimates, expectations and
objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncerta inties, many
of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward -looking statements are statements that are not
historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “will”, “plan”, “intends”, “may”,
“could”, “expects”, “anticipates” and similar expressions. Further disclosure of the risks and uncertainties
facing the Company and other forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company’s most recent
Annual Information Form available under the Company’s profile on www.sedarplus.ca.
In particular, this press release contains, without limitation, forward -looking statements pertaining to: the
length of operations of the Retreatment Project into late 2024; processing of the CRM tailings from the TSF;
timing for the processing of underground ROM in may or June 2024; the Company’s targets for 2024
including resolving the outstanding receivables and related matters with Union Goal; ramping -up the
Zandfontein underground operations; confirming capital plans to support the full re-opening of Zandfontein
underground operations at the CRM; completing the second phase of the TS F capital works program and
confirming the TSF dam space for new ROM tailings ; optimizing Main Plant Circuit B for underground
operations; renovating Circuit D to high energy flotation cells for better ROM processing recovery rate to
82% or higher; advancing the Mareesburg project environmental work to complete the EIA and other
environmental studies and amendments; continuing prospecting and assessment work in relation to
Zandfontein, Crocette and Spitzkop ore bodies of the CRM and Kennedy’s Vale and Spitzkop mines at the
eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex ; PGM production for 2024; c are and maintenance will continue for
the Company’s eastern limb projects for 2024; and other potential changes during 2024. These forward-
looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company.
Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently
available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward -looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements
as a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives,
expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward -looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems that may arise in the Company’s production
processes, commodity prices, lower than expected grades and quantities of resources, need for additional
funding and availability of such additional funding on acceptable terms, economic conditions, currency
fluctuations, competition and regulations, legal proceedings and risks related to operations in foreign
countries.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement, the “ Cautionary Statement on Forward -Looking Information” section contained in the
Company’s most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis available under the Company’s profile on
www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date they are
given and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intention or
obligation, and does not undertake, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or
disapproved the information contained herein.