The Group reported a profit for the period of ZMW438.9 million (September 2019: ZMW128 million), mainly due to the following:
• Increase in net finance income from ZMW138.7 million recorded in September 2019 to ZMW327.3 million recorded in June 2020. The increase in finance income is due to exchange gains recorded on foreign denominated assets arising from the depreciation of the Zambian Kwacha from an average of ZMW13.9 per US Dollar as at 30 September 2019 to ZMW17.2 per US Dollar as at 30 June 2020.

• Increase in the Group’s share of profit in associate companies from ZMW154.8 million recorded in September 2019 to ZMW 354.7 million in June 2020. This is mainly due to the increase in the profitability of some investee companies in the mining sector such as Maamba Collieries Limited and Kansanshi Mining Plc.

Group total assets increased by 40% to ZMW 20,262 million in June 2020 from ZMW14, 519 million in September 2019. This is mainly attributed to increase in values of investments inassociates as a result of improved performance of Kansanshi Mining Plc, Maamba Collieries Limited and exchange gains arising from translation of US Dollar denominated investments.

KEY OPERATIONS AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

Zambia Gold Company

During the period, Zambia Gold Company Limited (“ZGCL”), 51% owned by ZCCM-IH and 49% owned by Ministry of Finance, was granted Small-Scale Mining in the Mwinilunga District. Exploration and mining works are underway. This is in line with its countrywide mandate to manage the programmes and the activities of the gold sector throughout the entire value chain. ZGCL also continued gold trading during the period with gold purchases extended to the Rufunsa District. Further, ZGCL has been working with artisanal miners in the forming and operationalization of gold artisanal mining cooperatives in various districts.

Ndola Lime Company Ltd Restructuring

The restructuring of Ndola Lime Company Limited (“NLC”) commenced. The restructuring was done through a hybrid of Out of Court Settlement and formal insolvency procedures. In this regard, it was decided that a Scheme of Arrangement (“the Scheme”) and reconstruction of creditors be undertaken.

The objective of the Scheme was to create a new company that was free from liabilities and able to operate more efficiently. Therefore, the new company was incorporated and is known as Limestone Resources Limited (“LRL”). Furthermore, the restructuring involved the transfer of the business and assets of NLC to LRL and the consequent issue of equity shares by LRL to the shareholders of NLC.

Maamba Collieries Limited

On 25 March 2019, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc provided short-term liquidity support amounting to $10 million to Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) on condition that the amount was payable within 60 days from disbursement, following the receipt of power sale proceeds from ZESCO.

However, despite the agreed conditions, MCL has still not repaid the advanced sum and as a result of this, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc instituted legal proceedings against MCL (during the period under review) in the Lusaka High Court seeking the payment of the US$10 million plus damages and interest.

Industrial Development Corporation Ltd Group (IDC) Reorganization Transaction

During the period, the Board of ZCCM-IH considered and approved the proposed IDC/ZCCM-IH Group reorganization exercise whereby:

i) IDC transfers its 25% equity stake in Kagem Mining Limited, at fair market value, to ZCCM-IH;
ii) ZCCM-IH transfers its 71.4% equity stake in Investrust Bank PLC, at fair market value to IDC; and
iii) ZCCM-IH transfers its 100% stake in Mushe Milling Limited to IDC at fair market value. These 3 corporate actions listed above will be undertaken simultaneously as a corporate group reorganization exercise involving IDC and ZCCM-IH and constitute the proposed Group Portfolio Rationalization and Reorganization (or the “Group Reorganization “).

The Group reorganization objective is to achieve optimisation of operations and unlock opportunities for synergy within the IDC /ZCCM-IH Group. The Proposed Group Reorganization will enhance and improve operational efficiency and performance of ZCCM-IH, by realigning and streamlining management oversight on its investments portfolio to support and sustain Company growth and unlock value for its shareholders going forward.

The proposed Group Reorganization is subject to approval by shareholders of ZCCM-IH via a general meeting and the statutory regulatory authorities. The Group Reorganisation is expected to be finalized by 31 December 2020.

CEC Africa Investments Limited

Subsequent to the period under review, ZCCM-IH disposed of its 20% shareholding in CEC Africa Investments Limited. Proceeds from the disposal shall be applied on other opportunities in the mining and other mining related sectors of the domestic economy.

OUTLOOK

Copper prices are expected to increase steadily on the back of solid recovery in demand from China, the largest Copper consumer. In addition, low copper inventories in exchange warehouses, disrupted ore supplies from the top producing region in South America due to the COVID-19 pandemic and US Dollar strengthening are contributing to the bullish outlook for Copper.

By Order of the Board
Chabby Chabala
Company Secretary
Issued in Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday 1st October 2020