https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Northam secures Global Credit Rating upgrade

13th October 2017

By: Natasha Odendaal

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

Font size: - +

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Credit rating agency Global Credit Rating has upgraded platinum miner Northam Platinum’s long-term credit rating to A-(ZA) from BBB+(ZA) and reaffirmed Northam’s short-term credit rating at A1-(ZA), with a stable outlook.

“Northam’s credit rating upgrade was achieved despite the current and ongoing challenges being faced by the mining industry, further illustrating the group’s resilience and ability to maintain a strong capital base and liquidity position,” the platinum miner said in an update to shareholders on Friday.

Several considerations led to the upgrade, including the easing of Northam’s corporate risk profile as the company’s second operational mine, Booysendal North, had maintained steady-state production for two years; additional sources of production expected from Northam’s recent transactions; a strong improvement in operating cash flows; and a significant increase in operating profit as a result of improved metal prices, lower production costs, general economies of scale and the implementation of stringent cost controls.

The ratings agency also based its upgrade on the realisation of the projected benefits of Northam’s fully-funded R6.6-billion black economic empowerment transaction through the acquisition of quality platinum group metal assets at favourable prices.

“A further positive rating migration is predicted on the development of Booysendal South and recently acquired orebodies, which should see a continued widening of the group’s operating margins and sustainability of cash flows and credit protection metrics,” the company concluded.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

ALBIS FLANGES (Pty) Ltd
ALBIS FLANGES (Pty) Ltd

ALBIS FLANGES — founded in 1965 — is a petro-chemical approved manufacturer of flanges and fittings in most grades of steel, listed with Sasol,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Sulzer Pumps (SA) (Pty) Ltd
Sulzer Pumps (SA) (Pty) Ltd

Sulzer South Africa, established in 1922, partners with critical industries like power, oil & gas, water, mining, and chemicals to boost...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.059 0.951s - 140pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now