Positive Free Cash Flow and Deleveraging Progress
Generated positive free cash flow in H1 FY'26 — the first H1 positive result in four years with >100% improvement versus prior period; net debt ended at USD 3.8 billion and gross debt was 9% lower year-on-year, with liquidity headroom > USD 4 billion.
Operational Recovery at Secunda and Sales Volumes
Secunda production increased 10% year-on-year and sales volumes were 3% higher in H1 FY'26; annualized Secunda run-rate in Q2 was ~7.6 million tonnes, supported by absence of a phase shutdown and improved coal quality and gasifier availability.
Destoning Plant On Plan and Coal Quality Improvement
Destoning plant reached beneficial operation in December on schedule and within budget, operating at full capacity and supporting coal quality improvements (average reported around 12%), reducing reliance on external coal purchases over time.
Southern Africa Cash Breakeven Ahead of Target
Southern Africa value chain cash breakeven price ended around USD 53/barrel, ahead of the original FY guidance range of USD 60–55/barrel, reflecting higher production/sales and disciplined cost and capital management.
Cost and Capex Discipline
Group cash fixed costs were reduced (overall -2% year-on-year); International Chemicals cash fixed costs declined 6% YoY (10% when normalized for FX). Capital expenditure was 43% lower YoY in H1 and full-year CapEx guidance was reduced by ZAR 2 billion to ZAR 22–24 billion.
International Chemicals Early Self-Help Gains
International Chemicals adjusted EBITDA improved year-on-year (management cited a 10% YoY increase) with asset optimization and variable-cost initiatives delivering early benefits; management revised and re-articulated FY guidance (transcribed revision to USD 450m and margin outlook 8–10%).
Hedging and Macro Risk Management
Completed FY'26 hedging program and FY'27 underway; H2 oil hedge cover ratio of ~55–60% with an average floor of ~$59/barrel; 25–30% of rand–USD exposure hedged via zero-cost collars (~ZAR 18–22), helping manage volatility.
Progress on Renewables and Grow & Transform Initiatives
Secured an additional 300 MW of renewable energy (total >1.2 GW toward a 2 GW by 2030 target), contracted ~9 million tonnes of carbon offsets (~60% of near-term offset needs), received renewable energy trading license, and Zaffra JV secured EUR 350 million grant for e-SAF development.