Goldplat (LON:GDP)
Goldplat (LON:GDP) has provided an update on the dispute with Rand Refinery relating to a batch of by-product material treated in 2016. Although the results of the Independent review support GDP’s position, in the company’s view, the Rand Refinery have not accepted the findings of the report. Consequently, GDP will now take the dispute to court. The disputed sum owed to GDP is ZAR13.5m (£640k at time of the original announcement although with the weaker pound this is now valued at around £780k).
Much of GDP’s focus in the past 12 to 18 months has been to reduce its single refiner risk by sending material to Aurubis, a European refinery, as well as the five-fold increase in elution capacity in South Africa. Therefore whilst disappointing we believe that the strong operational turnaround, as well as the recently secured US$2m loan mean that GDP is in a robust operational and working capital position, minimising any potential negative impact. Indeed, we expect no material operational impact and we continue to expect GDP to receive the full amount and a negative resolution remains unlikely, in our view.
We reiterate our Buy recommendation and 12.2p/sh. target price.