The share price of Ke
nmare Resources (LSE: KMR) — the Ireland-based, London-listed mining company — is currently up 4% so far this morning, following publication of an interim management statement for the third quarter, to September 2014, in which the company reported that total shipments of finished products increased 24% over the quarter, rising to 183,200 tonnes.
The company reports that production of ilmenite — the titanium-iron oxide mineral — increased 6% during the quarter, to 220,200 tonnes, and that primary zircon production grew 239% to 12,900 tonnes, as part of a 16% increase in total zircon production. However, there was a decline of 8.5% in production of Heavy Mineral Concentrate, primarily as a result of a drop in ore grade and lower than expected mining volumes.
Kenmare says that ilmenite markets in China continue to remain well supplied, with new mineral sands producers focussing their sales on the Chinese market, which has further weakened prices there. Accordingly, Kenmare curtailed shipments to China during Q3 in order to contain further price erosion.
The company says that the TiO2 pigment market is expected to grow by more than the historical 3% trend line growth rate in 2014, but that global growth is subject to some regional disparities. In the US, demand is consistent with improved economic activity, Chinese pigment production continues to grow strongly, but there have been some signs of weakening in European markets since July.
It also reported that demand conditions in the zircon market remained stable in the quarter, that offtake support from its customers remains strong, and that its continuing to sell all its zircon.
Commenting on the management statement, Managing Director Michael Carvill said:
“During the quarter we have continued to focus on previously stated plans of conserving cash and controlling costs against a background of market conditions that have adversely impacted cash generation. The upgrade of the non-magnetic circuits in Q2 2014 helped contribute in Q3 2014 to a substantial increase in primary zircon, a significant part of our revenues.“
The company also provided an update to the announcement, made on 26 June, that it had received a non-binding conditional proposal from Iluka, the world’s largest producer of zircon. Kenmare said that it’s engaged in discussions with Iluka regarding a potential bid. However, it cautioned that discussions remain at an early stage, and that there can be no certainty about whether an offer will be actually made nor about possible the terms if one is.
Unfortunately, this morning’s rise has done little to correct Kenmare’s disastrous share price performance — it’s still 70% down on this time last year, compared with a drop of just 4.5% in the FTSE All-Share index. And the longer-term story makes for even worse reading, with Kenmare having plunged 73% over the past five years, during with time the FTSE All-Share has risen 25%.
