Click below to view full PDF articlehttps://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2025/jse/isse/tgae/TGAFY2024.pdf2024 Annual results, final ordinary cash dividend declaration and announcement of a share buybackTHUNGELA RESOURCES LIMITED(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)Registration number: 2021/303811/06JSE Share Code: TGALSE Share Code: TGAISIN: ZAE000296554Tax number: 9111917259('Thungela' or the 'Company' and, together with its affiliates, the 'Group')2024 Annual results, final ordinary cash dividend declaration and announcement of a share buybackThungela reports strong 2024 results reflecting operational excellence anddisciplined execution of strategic priorities • Operated a fatality-free business for 25 consecutive months • Export saleable production increased year-on-year in South Africa and Australia, and exceeded full year guidance • Adjusted operating free cash flow* of R3.6 billion for the year and net cash* of R8.7 billion at 31 December 2024, after capital expenditure of R3.4 billion • Declaration of a final cash dividend of R11 per share, taking full year dividend to R13 per share. Share buyback announced of up to R300 million • Elders construction completed and production ramp-up progressing as planned. Zibulo North Shaft progressing on schedule and in line with budgetKey performance metrics(1)(Rand million unless otherwise stated) 31 December 2024 31 December 2023 % changeExport saleable production - SouthAfrica (kt) 13,595 12,214 11Export saleable production - EnshamBusiness (on a 100% basis) (kt) 4,068 1,012 302Revenue 35,554 30,634 16Profit for the reporting period 3,544 4,970 (29)Earnings per share (cents/share) 2,676 3,766 (29)Headline earnings per share(cents/share) 2,559 3,497 (27)Dividend per share (cents/share) 1,300 2,000 (35)Alternative performance measures*Adjusted EBITDA 6,255 8,454 (26)Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) 18 28 (10pp)Adjusted operating free cash flow 3,589 6,806 (47)Net cash 8,671 10,176 (15)Capital expenditure (3,396) (3,288) 3FOB cost per export tonne excludingroyalties - South Africa (Rand/tonne) 1,130 1,084 4FOB cost per export tonne excludingroyalties - Ensham Business(Rand/tonne) 1,433 1,544 (7)(1)The Group results in 2023, include the results of the Ensham Business for four months from the acquisition date of 31 August 2023 to31 December 2023.MESSAGE FROM JULY NDLOVU, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICEROur 2024 results demonstrate continued operational excellence and underscore thedisciplined execution of our strategic priorities. Full-year export saleable productionexceeded guidance in both South Africa and Australia. Notably, South Africanproduction grew for the first time in three years due to increased productivity andimproved rail performance. The higher production and a focus on cost efficienciesresulted in a free-on-board (FOB) cost per export tonne* below guidance. Our twokey life extension projects, Elders and Zibulo North Shaft, remain on schedule andon budget. Safety remains our first value and we are unconditional about protectingthe lives of our people. We are proud to report that we have been operating afatality-free business for 25 consecutive months.Our increased focus on accountability and our safety culture is delivering meaningfulsafety improvements. The Group total recordable case frequency rate (TRCFR) was1.93, compared to 2.80 in 2023. South Africa achieved a historic low TRCFR of 1.07,compared to 1.40 in the prior year. In Australia, the TRCFR improved significantly to13.21, compared to 22.63 in the full year 2023, reflecting a strong focus onimproving conditions, leadership visibility and critical controls.Group revenue increased by 16% year-on-year to R35.6 billion, as Ensham wasincluded for the full 12 months in 2024, in comparison to the four months followingacquisition in the prior year (September to December 2023). The Group generatedadjusted EBITDA* of R6.3 billion and net profit of R3.5 billion, with the EnshamBusiness contributing R676 million to net profit in 2024. The margin contribution fromour operation in Australia and the marketing business in Dubai showcase thebenefits of our geographic diversification strategy. The Group ended the year withnet cash* of R8.7 billion.While the impact of a softer price environment across the Richards Bay andNewcastle Benchmark coal prices continues to impact our financial results, it isencouraging to note the improvement in the performance of Transnet Freight Rail(TFR) post the annual maintenance shutdown period, which was completed in July2024. TFR achieved a run rate of 51.9Mtpa for 2024, an 8.4% increase inperformance from 2023 for the industry, with an average annualised run rate of56.2Mt in the second half of the year, from an annualised run rate of 47.3Mt in thefirst half of the year.In South Africa, export saleable production of 13.6Mt ended above the guidancerange of 11.5Mt to 12.5Mt, and increased by 11% year-on-year, from 12.2Mt in 2023.The higher production output in 2024 was particularly notable given that threeunderground mining sections were removed in 2023 in response to the railconstraints. In line with the improved rail performance, our South African operationsramped up production without adding additional capacity or material cost to thebusiness. FOB cost per export tonne excluding royalties* of R1,130 was below thelow end of the guidance range of R1,170, mainly due to higher production volumes.In Australia, Ensham recorded strong export saleable production of 4.1Mt (on a100% basis), an increase of 52% from the annualised run rate of 2.7Mt at the date ofacquisition. The improvement is mainly attributable to productivity projects and thereconfiguration of the mine to include a fault development crew dedicated totraversing geological faults, while the remaining sections mine in productive areas.FOB cost per export tonne excluding royalties* of R1,433 was below the low end ofthe guidance range of R1,590, mainly driven by higher production and cost initiativesimplemented during the year.Global thermal coal market landscapeThe softer thermal coal price environment continued throughout the year. Milderwinter conditions in the Northern Hemisphere led to subdued demand in Europe,where coal and gas stock levels remained elevated, impacting the South African coalmarket. The market for high calorific value product from Australia was shaped byhigh stock levels brought upon by sluggish seaborne demand in the main Asian coalmarkets, such as China, India, Japan and South Korea.We remain confident in the long-term fundamentals of the role of coal in the energymix in support of global energy demand. The International Energy Agency confirmedin its 'World Energy Outlook 2024' report published in October 2024, that the outlookfor coal demand remains firm. There is strong energy demand from emergingmarkets, with countries such as China and India continuing to invest in new coal-fired power stations to meet the energy needs required to sustain economic growth,as well as demand that is maintained due to delays in projected closure dates forexisting coal-fired power stations. Seaborne traded thermal coal demand is expectedto remain close to one billion tonnes in 2025. It is important to note that the highercoal demand in these regions more than offsets the decline in the use of coal indeveloped economies.Ongoing geopolitical tensions and uncertainties continue to impact the energymarkets, leading to coal and gas supply volatility. Seaborne thermal coal marketsupply may be impacted by in-country supply in key emerging markets, such asChina and India.Progress on our strategic prioritiesWe have made significant progress in 2024 towards building a sustainable and long-life business across our geographies. In South Africa, our two life extension projects,Elders and Zibulo North Shaft, are key to improving our life of mine and long-termcompetitiveness, and remain on schedule and within budget. Total expansionarycapital expenditure for these two projects since commencement is R3.6 billion. Theconstruction phase of the Elders project is complete, and the ramp-up is progressingwell, with the deployment of two production sections to date. The mine is anticipatedto produce at a run rate of 4Mt of run of mine coal per annum, upon reaching steadystate in early 2026. The Zibulo North Shaft project is ongoing with completionexpected in 2026, which will extend the current underground operation's life to 2038.The mine is expected to produce at a run rate of up to 8Mt of run of mine coal perannum on completion of the project.The Lephalale Coal Bed Methane (LCBM) project, situated in the Waterberg coalfield in Limpopo in South Africa, is a significant methane gas resource that we areevaluating for development opportunities. A capital investment of approximatelyR400 million will be made in 2025 for the acquisition of a modular liquefied naturalgas plant and associated site infrastructure, which will demonstrate the value in useof the gas.The Rietvlei coal mine was established to develop a domestic-focused coal projectwith a direct benefit to local communities through an equity shareholding. Theintention of Thungela, with an effective 34% shareholding, was to ensure thesustainability of the operation while our black economic empowerment partnersdeveloped the project, and at the appropriate time to exit our position. With the minenow fully operational and a domestic contract in place, Thungela resolved to sell itsinterest to the existing partners for a total cash consideration of R186 million. Thetransaction demonstrates economic inclusion and our partners, together with thelocal communities, participate in the full economic benefits of the operation.In December 2024, we announced our intention to acquire a further 15% interest inthe Ensham Mine for a total consideration of AUD48 million. We are pleased toadvise that the relevant conditions precedent have been met, and the transactionwas completed on 28 February 2025. On 14 March 2025, we also announced thatwe had entered into an agreement with Audley Capital and Mayfair to acquire their27.5% interest in Sungela Holdings, for an upfront cash consideration of USD1.7million, as well as contingent deferred consideration of up to USD15.5 millionpayable over a period of up to six years. Upon completion of this transaction, theGroup will own 100% of the Ensham Business. These transactions enable us tofurther execute our geographic diversification strategy in Australia, enhancing theGroup's production profile and earnings, as well as maximising value throughThungela Marketing International.The resource development plan at Ensham, which was initiated post acquisition, isprogressing well. This will assist us to identify the full potential of the asset and therelated capital required to extract value from brownfield opportunities.Shareholder returns and capital allocationIn 2024, we completed two share buybacks for a total consideration of R601 million,or 3.2% of issued share capital. The share buybacks acknowledge the diversepreferences of our shareholder base and reflect our confidence in the Group'sattractive long-term outlook and robust financial position.The Group generated cash flows from operating activities of R5.3 billion for the year.After investing R1.7 billion in sustaining capital expenditure*, this resulted in anadjusted operating free cash flow* of R3.6 billion for the year. We remain committedto building a long-life competitive business with an expansionary capital spend ofR1.7 billion during 2024.Driving our ESG aspirations informs our approach to our existing business, how weplan future projects and how we evaluate potential acquisitions. In Australia, wecontributed R970 million into an investment vehicle, similar to the green fund inSouth Africa, to secure the necessary financial surety for the Ensham rehabilitationliabilities, while we pursue acceptance into the Queensland Financial ProvisioningScheme. In South Africa, we contributed a further R204 million into the green fund in2024. Including these investment contributions, as well as the ongoing spend onrehabilitation activities, the Group environmental liability coverage* has increased to54%, compared to 40% in 2023.At 31 December 2024, the Group's net cash* position was R8.7 billion. We continueto reserve R900 million to fund our life extension projects to completion and R400million for the LCBM project. Given the current weak market conditions, the boardconsiders it appropriate to maintain a cash buffer of R5.4 billion. The Group holdsundrawn credit facilities of R3.2 billion.The board reaffirms its commitment to the dividend policy, which is to distribute aminimum of 30% of adjusted operating free cash flow* to shareholders. A finaldividend of R11 per share has been declared, taking total dividend to R13 per share.The board has also approved a share buyback of up to R300 million. Total returnedto shareholders, including share buybacks of R460 million, is 64% of adjustedoperating free cash flow* for 2024.Since listing the business in 2021, the Sisonke Employee Empowerment Schemeand the Nkulo Community Partnership Trust have together received R1.7 billion,including R204 million relating to 2024, demonstrating Thungela's ability to deliverstrong returns to all of our stakeholders.Looking aheadIn line with our purpose - to responsibly create value together for a shared future -we are confident that our disciplined capital allocation approach will ensure thatThungela delivers value for our people, communities and stakeholders over the longterm.In particular, our focus remains on operating a fatality-free business and deliveringoperational excellence by controlling the controllables. As we position the businessto take advantage of the long-term fundamentals supporting coal demand globally,we remain committed to productivity improvements and to enhancing the costcompetitiveness of our operations, driven by the Elders and Zibulo North Shaftprojects. We are confident that executing our strategic priorities will createmeaningful shareholder value.OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE - 2025 South Africa EnshamExport saleable production (Mt) (Ensham on a 100% basis) 12.8 – 13.6 3.7 – 4.1FOB cost per export tonne* (Rand/tonne) 1,220 – 1,300 1,650 – 1,780FOB cost per export tonne excluding royalties* (Rand/tonne) 1,210 – 1,290 1,470 – 1,580Capital – sustaining* (Rand million) (Ensham on a 100% basis) 1,400 – 1,700 700 – 950Capital – expansionary (Rand million) 1,100 – 1,200 nilRoyalties are calculated using an assumed Richards Bay Benchmark coal price of USD102.00 per tonne and an assumedNewcastle Benchmark coal price of USD125.00 per tonne.South African operationsExport saleable production guidance for 2025 of 12.8Mt to 13.6Mt is informed byimproved productivity and performance of TFR. The range is based on expected railperformance of between 54Mtpa, at the lower end of the guidance, and 58Mtpa atthe upper end. The midpoint of the guidance is aligned with the improved annualisedrun rate observed in the second half of 2024.Our production footprint is entering a period of transition as the Goedehoop mineand Zibulo opencast operations reach end of life in 2025. The Elders and ZibuloNorth Shaft projects will continue to ramp up to full production during 2026.FOB cost per export tonne excluding royalties* is expected to be between R1,210and R1,290. Including royalties, the range is between R1,220 and R1,300 per tonne,based on an assumed Richards Bay Benchmark coal price of USD102 per tonne.Sustaining capital expenditure* is expected to range between R1,400 million andR1,700 million. Expansionary capital expenditure is expected to be between R1,100million and R1,200 million, which includes ongoing spend primarily on the ZibuloNorth Shaft project, and R400 million related to the LCBM project.EnshamExport saleable production guidance for 2025 is between 3.7Mt and 4.1Mt (on a100% basis). The guidance is consistent with 2024 production as it allows for themine to traverse known geological faults during the year. We have made goodprogress on improving productivity and will seek further opportunities as our SouthAfrican and Australian operations continue to share best practices.FOB cost per export tonne excluding royalties* is expected to be between R1,470and R1,580. Including royalties, the range is between R1,650 and R1,780 per tonne,based on an assumed Newcastle Benchmark coal price of USD125 per tonne. Wehave already started to review opportunities for further productivity improvement andcost savings at Ensham.Sustaining capital expenditure* is expected to be between R700 million and R950million (on a 100% basis). This includes once-off capital expenditure ofapproximately R250 million, predominantly on land in order to secure outstandingmining licences.DIVIDEND DECLARATION AND SHARE REPURCHASEThe board has declared a final ordinary cash dividend of R11.00 per share, payableto shareholders on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchangein April 2025 and May 2025, respectively.In addition, the board has authorised a share repurchase of up to R300 million,subject to market conditions. This will be executed in the period commencing 18March 2025 and, unless revised or terminated earlier, ending 4 June 2025, being thelast trading day prior to the Group's next annual general meeting, scheduled onThursday, 5 June 2025, and will be subject to the applicable legal and regulatoryrequirements.Further details regarding the dividend payable to shareholders of Thungela as wellas the share repurchase can be found in a separate announcement dated 17 March2025 on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange News Services (SENS) and the LondonRegulatory News Services (RNS).FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis document includes forward-looking statements. All statements included in thisdocument (other than statements of historical facts) are, or may be deemed to be,forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding Thungela'sfinancial position, business, acquisition and divestment strategy, dividend policy,plans and objectives of management for future operations (including developmentplans and objectives relating to Thungela's products, production forecasts andresource and reserve positions). By their nature, such forward-looking statementsinvolve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may causethe actual results, performance or achievements of Thungela, or industry results, tobe materially different from any future results, performance or achievementsexpressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Thungela thereforecautions that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.Any forward-looking statement made in this document or elsewhere is applicableonly at the date on which such forward-looking statement is made. New factors thatcould cause Thungela's business not to develop as expected may emerge from timeto time and it is not possible to predict all of them. Further, the extent to which anyfactor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially fromthose contained in any forward-looking statement are not known. Thungela has noduty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statementscontained in this document after the date of this document, except as may berequired by law. Any forward-looking statements included in this document have notbeen reviewed or reported on by the Group's independent external auditor.Investors are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements and areencouraged to read the Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31December 2024 (Annual Financial Statements 2024), which are available from theThungela website via the following web link:https://www.thungela.com/investors/financial-results.ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURESThroughout this Results Announcement a range of financial and non-financialmeasures are used to assess our performance, including a number of financialmeasures that are not defined or specified under International Financial ReportingStandards (IFRS Accounting Standards), which are termed 'alternative performancemeasures' (APMs). Management uses these measures to monitor the Group'sfinancial performance alongside IFRS Accounting Standards measures, to improvethe comparability of information between reporting periods. These APMs should beconsidered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures offinancial performance, financial position or cash flows reported in accordance withIFRS Accounting Standards. APMs are not uniformly defined by all companies,including those in the Group's industry. Accordingly, these measures may not becomparable with similarly titled measures and disclosures by other companies. Inthis results announcement, APMs are denoted with an asterisk (*).RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENTThis Results Announcement, including the forward-looking statements, is theresponsibility of the directors of Thungela.Shareholders are advised that this Results Announcement is only a select extract ofthe information contained in the Annual Financial Statements 2024 and does notcontain full or complete details. Any investment decisions by investors and/orshareholders should be based on a consideration of the full Annual FinancialStatements as a whole and investors and/or shareholders are encouraged to reviewthe Annual Financial Statements 2024, which are available on the Thungela websitevia the following web link: https://www.thungela.com/investors/financial-results, andavailable on the JSE's cloudlink, athttps://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2025/JSE/ISSE/TGAE/TGAFY2024.pdfA conference call and webcast relating to the details of this Results Announcementwill be held at 12:00 SAST (10:00 GMT) on Monday, 17 March 2025. Details toregister for the conference call and webcast are available below:Conference call:https://services.choruscall.za.com/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=4371045&linkSecurityString=120f2faaf5Webcast: https://78449.themediaframe.com/links/thungela250317_1200.htmlThe consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 wereaudited by PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. who have issued an unqualified auditopinion. The full independent auditor's report and Annual Financial Statements 2024are available for viewing on the Thungela website via the following web link:https://www.thungela.com/investors/finacial-results.This Results Announcement has not been audited or reviewed by the Group'sindependent external auditor. Any reference to future financial performance includedin this announcement has not been separately reported on by the Group'sindependent external auditor.The Company's registered office is located at: 25 Bath Avenue, Rosebank,Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa.The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company toconstitute inside information as stipulated under the market abuse regulation (EU)no. 596/2014 as amended by the market abuse (amendment) (UK mar) regulations2019. Upon the publication of this announcement via the regulatory informationservice, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.On behalf of the board of directorsSango Ntsaluba, ChairpersonJuly Ndlovu, Chief executive officerJohannesburg (South Africa)Date of SENS release: 17 March 2025Investor relationsHugo NunesEmail: hugo.nunes@thungela.comShreshini SinghEmail: shreshini.singh@thungela.comMediaHulisani RasivhagaEmail: hulisani.rasivhaga@thungela.comUK Financial adviser and corporate brokerPanmure Liberum LimitedTel: +44 20 3100 2000SponsorRand Merchant Bank(A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)Tel: +27 11 282 8000Date: 17-03-2025 09:00:00Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.