BWI: Sterlite Industries (India) Limited Unaudited Consolidated Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended 31 December 2012

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Business Wire
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 11:52 AM IST (06:22 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Environment; Business: Mining companies
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(BW)(STERLITE-INDUSTRIES)(SLT)Sterlite Industries (India) Limited Unaudited Consolidated Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended 31 December 2012


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, January 30, 2013 -- (Business Wire India) --

Sterlite Industries (India) Limited ("Sterlite" or the "Company") has announced its results for the Third Quarter (Q3) and Nine Months ended 31 December 2012.

Q3 Highlights

Financials

• Attributable PAT and Earnings per share up 30% at Rs. 1,191 Crore and Rs. 3.5 per share, respectively
• Strong balance sheet with cash and liquid investments of Rs. 23,472 crore

Operations

• Mined metal production up 11% and integrated silver production up 8% at Zinc India
• Next phase of mining growth to 1.2 mtpa of zinc-lead capacity announced at Zinc India
• Strong operational performance at Aluminium smelters, producing above rated capacity
• Vizag Coal Berth obtained provisional Commercial Operations Declaration (COD) and expected to commence operations in the current quarter

Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd. : "Sterlite Industries continues to maintain its strong performance and leadership position. We have substantially improved our efficiencies, operational performance and metal production across businesses. Zinc India is poised for the next phase of growth as we embark on a major exploration drive using best in class technology and global expertise."

Consolidated Financial Performance
		Q3									Q2			Nine months period
Particulars (In Rs. Crore, except as stated)		FY2013			FY2012			% change YoY			FY2013			FY2013			FY2012			% change YoY
Net Sales/Income from operations		10,692			10,249			4	%		11,029			32,313			30,210			7	%
EBITDA		2,375			2,363			1	%		2,538			7,252			7,672			(5	%)
Interest expense		227			200			-			178			646			602			-
Forex (loss)/gain		(63	)		(300	)		-			219			(61	)		(489	)		-
Profit before Depreciation and Taxes		2,896			2,616			11	%		3,416			9,110			8,766			4	%
Depreciation		538			461			-			522			1,578			1,327			-
Profit before Exceptional items		2,358			2,155			-			2,894			7,531			7,439			-
Exceptional Items		-			6			-			-			-			41			-
Taxes		356			505			-			511			1,200			1,624			-
Profit After Taxes		2,003			1,643			22	%		2,383			6,331			5,775			10	%
Minority Interest		585			466			-			579			1,742			1,611			-
Share in Profit/(Loss) of Associate		(226	)		(264	)		-			(61	)		(453	)		(612	)		-
Attributable PAT after exceptional item		1,191			914			30	%		1,743			4,136			3,551			16	%
Basic Earnings per Share (Rs./share)		3.5			2.7			-			5.2			12.3			10.6			-
Underlying Earnings per Share*(Rs./share)		3.7			3.6			-			4.7			12.4			12.1			-
Exchange rate (Rs./$) - Average		54.1			51.0			-			55.2			54.5			47.2			-
Exchange rate (Rs./$) - Closing		54.8			53.3			-			52.7			54.8			53.3			-

*Before forex and exceptional items

Q3 EBITDA was in line with the corresponding prior quarter at Rs. 2,375 crore, reflecting improved operational efficiencies, marginally higher metal prices and premiums and improved sales realization due to INR depreciation, which were partially offset by lower by-product realizations. Q3 FY2013 EBITDA was lower compared to Q2 FY2013, impacted by lower power sales and lower by-product credits.

Improved operational performance and lower foreign exchange losses at Vedanta Aluminium Limited decreased Sterlite's share of loss of associate by 14% during Q3 compared with the corresponding prior quarter.

Depreciation cost during Q3 was higher compared with the corresponding prior quarter on account of capitalization of new plants at Zinc India and Sterlite Energy Limited.

Interest cost in Q3 FY2013 was higher as compared to the corresponding prior quarter and Q2 FY2013 due to capitalisation of new plants and increased borrowings.

Attributable PAT and Basic EPS were Rs. 1,191 crore and Rs. 3.5 per share for Q3, up 30% and were Rs. 4,136 crore and Rs. 12.3 per share for the nine months period, up 16%.

The company continued to maintain a strong balance sheet with cash and liquid investment of Rs. 23,472 crore as on 31 December 2012.

Merger of Sterlite and Sesa Goa Limited and Vedanta Group Consolidation

The transaction has received approvals of respective companies' equity shareholders, the Stock Exchanges in India and the Competition Commission of India. Approvals of Foreign Investment Promotion Board and the Supreme Court of Mauritius have been received for the merger of Ekaterina Limited with Sesa Goa Limited. The hearings at the High Court of Madras have been completed and the order is awaited. The hearings at the High Court of Bombay at Goa are in progress.

Zinc - India Business
		Q3							Q2		Nine months period
Production (in '000 tonnes, or as stated)		FY2013		FY2012		% change YoY			FY2013		FY2013		FY2012		% change YoY
Mined metal content		233		209		11	%		190		610		607		-
Refined Zinc - Total		171		191		(10	%)		163		495		569		(13	%)
Refined Zinc - Integrated		168		188		(10	%)		153		479		563		(15	%)
Refined Zinc - Custom		3		3		-			10		17		6		-
Refined Lead - Total 1		32		29		11	%		27		90		62		45	%
Refined Lead - Integrated		22		25		(11	%)		24		75		58		29	%
Refined Lead - Custom		10		4		-			3		15		4		-
Silver - Total (in tonnes) 2		117		58		103	%		92		290		154		89	%
Silver - Integrated (in tonnes)		62		58		8	%		80		222		154		44	%
Silver - Custom (in tonnes)		55		-		-			12		68		-		-
Financials (In Rs. crore, except as stated)
Revenue		3,117		2,726		14	%		2,746		8,504		8,070		5	%
EBITDA		1,484		1,380		8	%		1,408		4,241		4,359		(3	%)
PAT		1,629		1,278		27	%		1,497		4,668		4,087		14	%
Zinc CoP without Royalty (Rs./MT)		44,900		40,300		11	%		46,750		45,700		39,400		16	%
Zinc CoP without Royalty ($/MT)		829		785		6	%		844		838		836		-
Zinc CoP with Royalty ($/MT)		993		944		5	%		999		999		1,015		(2	%)
Zinc LME Price ($/MT)		1,947		1,897		3	%		1,885		1,920		2,123		(10	%)
Lead LME Price ($/MT)		2,199		1,983		11	%		1,975		2,051		2,328		(12	%)
Silver LBMA Price ($/oz)		33		32		3	%		30		31		36		(15	%)

			1.		Includes captive consumption of 1,647 tonnes in Q3 FY2013 vs. 1,730 tonnes in Q3 FY2012, and 4,723 tonnes in nine months period FY2013 vs. 4,469 tonnes in nine months period FY2012.
			2.		Includes captive consumption of 8 tonnes in Q3 FY2013 vs. 9 tonnes in Q3 FY2012, and 25 tonnes in nine months period FY2013 vs. 24 tonnes in nine months period FY2012.

Mined metal production was 11% higher in Q3, as compared with the corresponding prior quarter. Compared to Q2 FY2013 mined metal production was 22% higher in Q3. As guided previously, we expect higher mined metal production during the full year FY2013 as compared with the previous year.

In line with the mine-plan, mined metal production was lower in first half of FY2013 resulting in a lower integrated zinc production in Q3 as compared with the corresponding prior quarter. However, compared to Q2 FY2013, integrated zinc production was 10% higher in Q3, and is expected to increase further in Q4 FY2013.

Integrated lead production was 11% lower in Q3 FY2013. However, total refined lead production was 11% higher.

Integrated silver production was 8% higher in Q3 driven by production ramp-up at SK mine and improved utilisation of lead-silver refining capacities.

EBITDA for Q3 was 8% higher due to higher refined lead and silver volumes, higher metal prices and depreciation of the Indian Rupee, partially offset by lower refined zinc volumes and higher CoP. CoP was higher on account of lower by-product credits and lower volumes, partially offset by operational efficiencies and lower coal prices.

PAT for Q3 was 27% higher compared with the corresponding prior period primarily on account of higher investment income.

The Board of Directors of Hindustan Zinc has approved the next phase of growth. Zinc India has been actively conducting exploration, which increased net Reserve and Resource across all mines to 332.3 mt of ore as at end FY 2012. Based on a long-term evaluation of assets and in consultation with mining experts, Zinc India has finalised plans for the next phase of growth, which will involve sinking of underground shafts and developing underground mines. The plan comprises developing a 3.75 mtpa underground mine at Rampura Agucha and expanding the Sindesar Khurd mine from 2.0 mtpa to 3.75 mtpa, Zawar mines from 1.2 mtpa to 5.0 mtpa, Rajpura Dariba mine from 0.6 mtpa to 1.2 mtpa and Kayad mine from 0.35 mtpa to 1.0 mtpa. It will also involve the opening up of a small new mine at Bamnia Kalan in the Rajpura Dariba belt.

The growth plan will increase mined metal production capacity to 1.2 mtpa Metal in Concentrate (MIC). These mines will be developed using the best-in-class technology and equipment, and in consultation with leading global mine experts, ensuring highest level of productivity. The projects will be completed in six years and the benefit of growth projects will start flowing in from the third year, even as projects will continue till FY2019. Annual capital expenditures for these projects will average US$250 million a year over next six years (totalling approximately Rs. 8,000 Crores).

Zinc - International Business
		Q3							Q2		Nine months period
Production (in'000 tonnes, or as stated)		FY2013		FY2012		% change YoY			FY2013		FY2013		FY2012		% change YoY
Refined Zinc - Skorpion		36		34		7	%		37		109		109		-
Mined metal content- BMM and Lisheen		68		71		(4	%)		77		215		228		(6	%)
Total		104		105		-			114		324		337		(4	%)
Financials (In Rs. Crore, except as stated)
Revenue1		1,065		1,030		3	%		1,125		3,201		3,251		(2	%)
EBITDA		439		373		18	%		392		1,169		1,365		(14	%)
PAT		226		235		(4	%)		210		627		844		(26	%)
CoP - ($/MT)		1,095		1,188		(8	%)		1,053		1,091		1,237		(12	%)
Zinc LME Price ($/MT)		1,947		1,897		3	%		1,885		1,920		2,123		(10	%)
Lead LME Price ($/MT)		2,199		1,983		11	%		1,975		2,051		2,328		(12	%)

			1.		Includes intercompany sales to Zinc India of Rs. 153 crore in nine months period FY 2012.

Zinc International delivered a total production of refined zinc and mined zinc-lead metal MIC of 104,000 tonnes in Q3.

EBITDA for Q3 was 18% higher compared with the corresponding prior quarter mainly due to higher zinc and lead LME prices and lower CoP.

Copper - India / Australia Business
		Q3									Q2		Nine Months period
Production (in'000 tonnes, or as stated)		FY2013			FY2012			% change YoY			FY2013		FY2013			FY2012			% change YoY
Copper - Mined metal content		6			6			8	%		6		19			17			11	%
Copper - Cathodes		92			84			9	%		87		267			245			9	%
Financials (In Rs. crore, except as stated)
Revenue		5,164			5,130			1	%		5,417		15,882			15,068			5	%
EBITDA		234			426			(45	%)		342		842			1,196			(30	%)
Foreign Exchange gain/(loss)		(92	)		(122	)		25	%		161		(151	)		(234	)		35	%
PAT		147			347			(58	%)		475		718			1,033			(31	%)
Tc/Rc (US¢/lb)		12.4			15.9			(22	%)		11.3		12.0			14.3			(16	%)
Net CoP - cathode (US¢/lb)		10.8			2.4			-			7.1		7.8			(1.4	)		-
Copper LME Price ($/MT)		7,909			7,489			6	%		7,706		7,827			8,531			(8	%)

Copper cathode production was 92,000 tonnes in Q3, 9% higher than the corresponding prior period. Mined metal production at Australia was at 6,000 tonnes in Q3, in-line with the corresponding prior period.

EBITDA for Q3 was 45% lower compared with the corresponding prior quarter on account of lower sulphuric acid realisations, lower contribution from phosphoric acid operations and lower Tc/Rc, partially offset by increase in volumes. Demand for phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid remains low and we anticipate lower acid realisations in the current quarter as well.

The first 80MW unit of the 160MW captive power plant at Tuticorin was commissioned in Q3 and is currently operating at 80% PLF. The second 80MW unit is expected to be synchronized in Q1 FY2014.

Aluminium Business - BALCO
		Q3									Q2		Nine months period
Production (in'000 tonnes, or as stated)		FY2013			FY2012			% change YoY			FY2013		FY2013		FY2012		% change YoY
Aluminium		62			63			-			63		185		184		1	%
Financials (In Rs. crore, except as stated)
Revenue		832			801			4	%		859		2,472		2,243		10	%
EBITDA		64			36			77	%		95		216		305		(29	%)
PAT		(8	)		(17	)		52	%		32		18		110		(84	%)
CoP ($/MT)		1,995			1,880			6	%		1,970		1,958		1,984		(1	%)
CoP (Rs./MT)		108,000			98,200			10	%		108,800		106,800		95,400		12	%
Aluminum LME Price ($/MT)		1,997			2,090			(4	%)		1,918		1,964		2,360		(17	%)

The Korba-II smelter operated above its rated capacity and continues to convert all of its primary metal into value added products.

EBITDA during Q3 was higher compared with the corresponding prior quarter, primarily on account of higher premiums, which more than offset the impact of higher CoP in rupee terms and lower LME prices.

Q3 aluminium CoP was higher as compared with the corresponding prior quarter on account of higher alumina cost and higher coal prices due to tapering of coal linkage.

The first 300MW unit of the BALCO 1,200MW captive power plant is awaiting regulatory approvals. We plan to tap the first metal at the 325 ktpa Korba-III aluminium smelter in Q1 FY2014. The smelter plans to initially draw power from the existing 810 MW power plants.

For the 211 mt coal block at BALCO, we have received the second stage forest clearance during the quarter and expect to commence mining in Q1 FY2014.

Aluminium Business - Vedanta Aluminium Limited (Associate Company)
		Q3									Q2			Nine months period
Production (in'000 tonnes, or as stated)		FY2013			FY2012			% change YoY			FY2013			FY2013			FY2012			% change YoY
Alumina - Lanjigarh		104			236			(56	%)		205			527			687			(23	%)
Aluminum - Jharsuguda		135			111			21	%		134			394			314			25	%
Financials (in Rs. crore except as stated)
Revenue		1,713			1,444			19	%		1,819			5,213			4,117			27	%
EBITDA		248			102			143	%		225			736			341			116	%
Forex gain/(loss)		(295	)		(339	)		13	%		280			(131	)		(544	)		76	%
PAT		(766	)		(893	)		14	%		(206	)		(1,537	)		(2,076	)		26	%
SIIL Share (29.5%)		(226	)		(263	)		14	%		(61	)		(453	)		(612	)		26	%
Aluminium CoP ($/MT)		1,928			2,004			(4	%)		1,905			1,892			2,280			(17	%)
Aluminium CoP (Rs./MT)		104,400			103,100			1	%		105,300			103,200			107,500			(4	%)
Aluminium LME Price ($/MT)		1,997			2,090			(4	%)		1,918			1,964			2,360			(17	%)

During the quarter, we temporarily suspended operations at the Lanjigarh alumina refinery due to lower availability of bauxite. VAL is in discussions with the concerned authorities and other stakeholders for sourcing of bauxite from Orissa and other states to restart the refinery operations. We produced 104,000 tonnes of Alumina during the quarter as compared with 236,000 tonnes during the corresponding prior quarter.

The Jharsuguda-I smelter operated above its rated capacity. Aluminium production was 21% higher in Q3 as compared with the corresponding prior period on account of full capacity utilization and higher operational efficiencies.

Q3 Aluminium CoP was stable in rupee terms due to better operational efficiencies, lower power consumption and lower coal cost despite increased cost of alumina. VAL achieved the best quarterly operational efficiency, and CoP remained in the lower half of the global cost curve.

Q3 EBITDA was significantly higher than the corresponding prior quarter, on account of higher production and higher metal premiums. EBITDA margin also improved due to higher conversion of primary metal into value added products. 46% of primary metal was converted to value added products in Q3 compared to 40% last year.

PAT during the quarter improved due to higher EBITDA and lower mark to market loss on foreign currency borrowings as compared to the corresponding prior quarter.

Status of Investment in Vedanta Aluminium Limited as at 31 December 2012
Investment in VAL (Rs. Crore)		Sterlite		Vedanta		External		Total
Equity		563		1,391		-		1,954
Preference Shares		3,000		-		-		3,000
Quasi Equity / Debt		8,140		853		18,210		27203
Total Funding		11,703		2,244		18,210		32,157
Corporate Guarantees		6,538		23,271		-		29,809

Power Business
		Q3						Q2		Nine months period
Particulars (in million units)		FY2013		FY2012		% change YoY		FY2013		FY2013		FY2012		% change YoY
Total Power Sales		1,916		1,997		(4%)		2,474		6,848		5,412		27%
SEL 1		1,578		1,559		1%		1,940		5,457		3,964		38%
Balco 270MW Power Sales		275		382		(28%)		346		959		1,192		(20%)
HZL Wind Power		62		56		12%		188		432		256		69%
Financials (in Rs. crore except as stated)
Revenue 2		520		574		(9%)		885		2,267		1,775		28%
EBITDA		155		147		5%		300		784		447		75%
PAT		(28)		35		(180%)		113		168		108		55%
Average Power CoP (Rs./unit)		2.29		2.47		(7%)		2.22		2.16		2.50		(14%)
Average Power Realization (Rs./unit)		3.35		3.44		(3%)		3.45		3.42		3.60		(5%)
SEL CoP (Rs./unit)		2.22		2.64		(16%)		2.31		2.23		2.78		(20%)
SEL realization (Rs./unit)		3.31		3.49		(5%)		3.42		3.43		3.70		(7%)

			1.		Includes production under trial run of 456 million units in Q3 FY2013 vs. 428 million units in Q3 FY2012, and 795 million units in nine months period FY2013 vs. 717 million units in nine months period FY2012.
			2.		Includes intercompany sale of Rs. 4 crore in nine months period FY2012.

Power sales were at 1,916 million units in Q3, 4% lower than last year. During the quarter, PLF was 31%, considering three commissioned units of the 2,400MW Jharsuguda power plant, constrained by continued evacuation limitations that were imposed after the Northern and Eastern region grid failure in August 2012.

The evacuation capacity has improved with the charging of a shared 1,000MW Raipur-Wardha transmission line in January 2013, and PLFs for the 3 commissioned units are expected to be around 50% in Q4 FY2013. The fourth unit is currently under trial run, and is expected to be stabilised by the end of the current quarter.

Power sales at the Balco 270 MW plant were 28% lower in Q3 due to similar evacuation constraints.

In spite of lower sales realisation, EBITDA for Q3 was marginally higher due to lower power generation cost at SEL.

Work at the Talwandi Sabo power project is progressing well and the first unit is expected to be synchronized in Q2 FY2014.

Port Projects

In October 2010, we had been awarded a 30-year concession to upgrade the coal berth at Vishakhapatnam Port to 10.18mtpa (Coal Berth mechanization project) and operate it. This is being implemented at a total project cost of $150mn through Vizag General Cargo Berth Private Limited (VGCB), a 74:26 joint venture between Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd. and Leighton Welspun Contractors Private Ltd. VGCB has obtained provisional Commercial Operations Declaration and is expected to commence operations in the current quarter.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Liquid Investment

The company continues to follow a conservative investment policy and invests in high quality debt instruments in the form of mutual funds, bonds and fixed deposits with banks. As at 31 December 2012, the company has cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments of Rs. 23,472 crore, out of which Rs. 13,302 crore was invested in debt mutual funds and bonds, and Rs. 10,170 crore was in fixed deposits and bank balances.

Note: Figures in previous periods have been regrouped or restated, wherever necessary to make them comparable to current period.

For further information, please contact:
Ashwin Bajaj		sterlite.ir@vedanta.co.in
Senior Vice President - Investor Relations		Tel: +91 22 6646 1531
Sheetal Khanduja		sterlite.ir@vedanta.co.in
AGM - Investor Relations		Tel: +91 22 6646 1531

About Sterlite Industries

Sterlite Industries (India) Limited is India's largest diversified metals and mining company. The company produces aluminium, Copper, zinc, lead, silver, and commercial energy and has operations in India, Australia, Namibia, South Africa and Ireland. The company has a strong organic growth pipeline of projects. Sterlite Industries is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India and the New York Stock Exchange in the United States. For more information, please visit www.sterlite-industries.com.

Disclaimer

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should" or "will." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different that those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

Regd. Office: SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Madurai Bypass Road, TV Puram P.O., Tuticorin-628002, Tamil Nadu

CONTACT DETAILS
CONTACTS :

Sterlite Industries (India) Limited
Ashwin Bajaj, +91 22 6646 1531
Senior Vice President - Investor Relations
sterlite.ir@vedanta.co.in
or
Sheetal Khanduja, +91 22 6646 1531
AGM - Investor Relations
sterlite.ir@vedanta.co.in


KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENVIRONMENT, MINING

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