Positive credit rating indicates stable outlook for Northam in South Africa
Credit rating agency GCR Ratings has reaffirmed Northam Platinum’s national-scale long-term and short-term credit ratings at A+(za) and A1(za), respectively, with the outlook maintained as stable.
The A+(za) rating signifies strong credit quality with a low risk of default in South Africa, while the A1(za) rating represents high credit quality in the country with very low risk of default, though it acknowledges potential for modest impact from external factors.
The reaffirmation of Northam’s rating was attributed to the successful completion of major development activity at the Booysendal mine complex on the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, as well as Northam’s robust liquidity profile.
GCR noted that development risk had been reduced with the Booysendal North and South mines attaining steady-state production and substantial progress on the Eland mine development being made in the North West province.
The credit rating agency added that mining and production risk had also been reduced as a result of operational diversification.
GCR said that, with Booysendal’s low-cost operations now accounting for half of Northam’s platinum group metal (PGM) production, Northam was well positioned to withstand the current depressed PGM pricing environment.
GCR highlighted Northam’s liquidity profile as a key ratings strength, as the company had prioritised securing sources of liquidity to ensure it could meet all capital and operating cash flow requirements over the medium term, while ensuring that its gearing profile and capital structure remained strong.
The stable outlook is an indication of GCR’s expectation that Northam’s low-cost production profile and access to liquidity will provide the necessary cash flows and financial flexibility to withstand the earnings pressures caused by the cyclical downturn in PGM prices.
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