https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Western Areas posts big jump in half-year profit

Western Areas posts big jump in half-year profit

Photo by Bloomberg

19th February 2015

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

  

Font size: - +

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The higher nickel price achieved in the first half of Western Areas’ 2015 financial year has helped the miner report a massive 782% increase in interim profit to A$23.6-million.

Western Areas said on Thursday that continued positive operating cost outcomes driven by productivity and efficiency improvements also helped to boost its profit.

During the interim period ended December 2014, Western Areas delivered 12 945 t of nickel, compared with the 13 020 t delivered in the previous corresponding period, and at an average realised nickel price of A$8.12/lb, generated a sales revenue of A$164.9-million, compared with the A$143.4-million achieved in the first half of 2014.

MD Dan Lougher pointed out that the company also reported its lowest costs in three years during the December quarter, following the implementation of productivity and efficiency initiatives.

“These initiatives, combined with a higher realised nickel price versus the first half of 2014, resulted in a net profit after tax increase of A$20.9-million.”

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation also increased from A$65.4-million in the first half of 2014, to A$74.9-million in the 2015 interim period.

Meanwhile, Lougher said Western Areas would produce between 25 000 t and 27 000 t of nickel during the full year, with nickel-in-concentrate production expected to reach between 24 500 t and 25 500 t.

Unit cash costs for the remainder of the year were also expected to drop from between A$2.70/lb and A$2.80/lb, to between A$2.40/lb and A$2.50/lb.

Edited by Mariaan Webb
Creamer Media Contract Publishing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

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

Showroom

ACTOM
ACTOM

Your one-stop global energy-solution partner

VISIT SHOWROOM 
ZF Aftermarket
ZF Aftermarket

ZF Aftermarket is the after-sales division of the world-renowned German ZF group, a global leader in mobility technology.

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:0.048 0.886s - 140pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now