Interim Results

26th September 2003 BISICHI MINING PLC Financial Results for the Six Months to 30th June 2003 RECORD TURNOVER, PROFITS AND EARNINGS 6 months 6 months Year ended ended 30th ended 30th 31st December June 2003 June 2002 2002 Turnover up 76% £4,163,000 £2,368,000 £5,310,000 Earnings before tax, depreciation and amortisation up 114% £1,166,000 £546,000 £1,225,000 Profit before tax up 133% £746,000 £320,000 £628,000 Diluted earnings per share up 118% 4.73 p 2.17 p 4.43 p Diluted net assets per share up 21% 84.5 p 69.6 p 78.8 p Michael Heller, chairman of Bisichi Mining said: 'These excellent results are a direct result of significant developments at our South African coal mining subsidiary and the growth in our UK retail property portfolio income. Black Wattle Colliery is recognised in South Africa as being at the forefront of Black Empowerment which is creating new opportunities for us and our local partners in terms of both export and additional reserves. Because of all these opportunities, the prospects for Black Wattle have never been more exciting. Barring any unforeseen geological problems at Black Wattle, I anticipate that the results for the full year will be good.' - more - For further information, please call: Andrew Heller/ Robert Corry, Bisichi Mining PLC 020 7415 5000 CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW I am pleased to report that in the six months ended 30 June 2003, Bisichi Mining plc made a profit on ordinary activities before taxation, depreciation and amortisation of £1,166,000, compared to £546,000 in the comparable period last year. Diluted net assets per share increased to 84.5 pence at 30 June 2003 from 69.6 pence, both figures include listed shares at market value. These excellent results are a direct result of significant developments at our South African coal mining subsidiary and the growth in our UK retail property portfolio income. Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd, our 62.5% owned coal mining subsidiary located near Middelburg, South Africa now produces approximately 1 million tonnes of coal per year; only two years ago our annual production was less than half that figure. This significant improvement in production is a direct result of improved mining techniques, better equipment, the strength of our local management and the additional coal rights that we have acquired. We have recently acquired additional machinery which will increase production in 2004. Black Wattle remains one of the largest producers of low phosphorous coal in South Africa, which commands a premium price. It is recognised in South Africa as being at the forefront of Black Empowerment which is creating new opportunities for us and our local partners in terms of both export and additional reserves. Because of all these opportunities, the prospects for Black Wattle have never been more exciting. Our UK retail property portfolio, which is managed by London & Associated Properties plc and which underpins out mining activities, continues to perform very well. Vacancies are negligible and the property comprising 17 shops that we acquired in the centre of Northampton last October has performed well ahead of our budgets. Barring any unforeseen geological problems at Black Wattle, I anticipate that the results for the full year will be good. MICHAEL HELLER Chairman 26th September 2002 BISICHI MINING PLC Consolidated profit and loss account six months ended 30th June 2003 6 months 6 months Year ended ended 30th ended 30th 31st December June 2003 June 2002 2002 Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 1 4,163 2,368 5,310 Operating costs (3,160) (2,006) (4,525) Operating profit 1 1,003 362 785 Income from interests in joint (40) 37 69 venture Interest receivable 4 16 6 Interest payable (221) (95) (232) Profit on ordinary activities 746 320 628 before taxation Taxation 2 (219) (80) (206) Profit after taxation 527 240 422 Minority interest (30) (13) 41 Profit for the financial 497 227 463 period Earnings per share - basic 3 4.76 p 2.17 p 4.43 p - diluted 4.73 p 2.17 p 4.43 p Dividends per share - - 1.50 p Cost of net dividend - - 157 The turnover and operating profit for the period derive from continuing operations and are made up as follows: Turnover Mining 3,599 1,966 4,423 Property 532 390 842 Share dealing 31 12 36 Other investments 1 - 9 4,163 2,368 5,310 Operating Profit Mining 768 232 504 Goodwill (42) (42) (84) 726 190 420 Property 252 168 349 Share Dealing 24 4 9 Other investments 1 - 7 1,003 362 785 BISICHI MINING PLC Consolidated balance sheet As at 30thJune 2003 30thJune 30th June 31st December 2003 2002 2002 Note £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 90 174 132 Properties and other 4 13,682 8,888 13,307 tangible assets Investment in joint venture Share of gross assets 2,227 2,587 2,458 Share of gross (1,176) (1,684) (1,349) liabilities 1,051 903 1,109 Other investments 314 258 299 15,137 10,223 14,847 Current assets Stocks 80 65 46 Debtors 1,772 803 1,039 Investments (Market value £ 465 463 490 487,000) 5 Bank balances 191 122 80 2,508 1,453 1,655 Creditors - falling due (3,871) (2,775) (3,200) within one year Net current liabilities (1,363) (1,322) (1,545) Total assets less current 13,774 8,901 13,302 liabilities Creditors - falling due (4,959) (1,816) (5,174) after one year Provisions for liabilities (60) (50) (70) and charges Minority interests 122 120 138 Net assets 8,877 7,155 8,196 Financed by: Equity shareholders' funds 8,877 7,155 8,196 Statement of total recognised gains and losses six months ended 30th June 2003 6 months 6 months Year ended ended 30th ended 30th 31st December June 2003 June 2002 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 The company 448 152 309 Subsidiary and joint venture 49 75 154 Profit for the period 497 227 463 Revaluation of investment properties - company - - 492 - joint venture - - 228 Exchange adjustments 184 76 227 Total gains and losses relating 681 303 1,410 to the period BISICHI MINING PLC Group cash flow statement six months ended 30th June 2003 6 months 6 months Year ended ended 30th ended 30th 31st December June 2003 June 2002 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities Operating profit 1,003 362 785 Depreciation charges and 420 226 597 goodwill amortised Profit on sale of current (22) (4) (8) asset investments (Increase) decrease in (85) 220 254 current assets 1,316 804 1,628 Dividend from joint venture - - 40 Returns on investments and (217) (79) (226) servicing of finance Taxation - - (80) Capital expenditure and financial (492) (389) (4,615) investment Equity dividends paid - - (105) Cash inflow (outflow) before 607 336 (3,358) financing Financing (414) (127) 3,460 193 209 102 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Increase in cash in the 193 209 102 period Net cash flow from 414 127 (3,460) changes in debt Movement in net debt in the 607 336 (3,358) period Net debt at 1 January 2003 (6,221) (2,863) (2,863) Net debt at 30 June 2003 (5,614) (2,527) (6,221) Analysis of net debt Bank balances in hand 191 122 80 Bank overdraft (687) (701) (769) Debt due within one (159) (132) (358) year Debt due after one year (4,959) (1,816) (5,174) (5,614) (2,527) (6,221) BISICHI MINING PLC Notes to the interim results six months ended 30th June 2003 6 months 6 months Year ended ended 30th ended 30th 31st December June 2003 June 2002 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 1. Geographical analysis Turnover United Kingdom 564 402 887 Southern Africa 3,599 1,966 4,423 4,163 2,368 5,310 Operating profit United Kingdom 277 172 365 Southern Africa 726 190 420 1,003 362 785 2. Taxation Based on the results for the period: Corporation tax at 30% (2002 211 72 181 : 30%) Joint venture 18 7 22 229 79 203 Deferred taxation (10) 1 3 219 80 206 3. Earnings per share Both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are based on a profit of £497,000 (2002: £227,000). The basic earnings per share has been calculated on 10,451,506 (2002: 10,451,506) ordinary shares being in issue during the period. The diluted earnings per share has been calculated on the number of shares in issue of 10,451,506 (2002: 10,451,506) plus the dilutive potential ordinary shares arising from share options of 48,602 (2002: Nil) totalling 10,500,108 (2002: 10,451,506). 4. Properties are included at valuation at 31st December 2002. 5. Investments held as current assets Listed Investment Portfolio at lower of cost and net realisable 465 463 490 value Listed Investment Portfolio 487 584 531 at market value Unrealised surplus of market 22 121 41 value over cost 6. Financial information The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The figures for the year ended 31st December 2002 are based upon the latest statutory accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The six months figures use the same accounting policies as for the year ended 31December 2002, and have not been audited or subject to review by the auditors. 7. Board approval These interim results were approved by the Board of Bisichi Mining PLC on 26th September 2003. 8. Posting to shareholders. The interim statement will be posted to shareholders shortly. Copies are available at the Company's Registered Office: 8-10 New Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1AF. - 2 -

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