BlackRock World Mining Trust Plc - Portfolio Update

BlackRock World Mining Trust Plc - Portfolio Update

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 23

BLACKROCK WORLD MINING TRUST PLC (LEI - LNFFPBEUZJBOSR6PW155

All information is at 31 December 2024 and unaudited.

Performance at month end with net income reinvested
	One	Three	One	Three	Five
	Month	Months	Year	Years	Years
Net asset value	-8.9%	-11.1%	-10.6%	-1.5%	56.8%
Share price	-5.5%	-11.6%	-12.7%	-1.4%	69.9%
MSCI ACWI Metals & Mining 30% Buffer 10/40 Index (Net)*	-8.1%	-12.4%	-9.9%	2.9%	42.9%
* (Total return) Sources: BlackRock, MSCI ACWI Metals & Mining 30% Buffer 10/40 Index, Datastream

At month end

Net asset value (including income)1:	511.06p
Net asset value (capital only):	504.09p
Share price:	481.00p
Discount to NAV2:	5.9%
Total assets:	£1,111.9m
Net yield3:	7.0%
Net gearing:	11.9%
Ordinary shares in issue:	191,018,036
Ordinary shares held in Treasury:	1,993,806
Ongoing charges4:	0.91%
Ongoing charges5:	0.81%

1 Includes net revenue of 6.97p.

2 Discount to NAV including income.

3 Based on the final dividend of 17.00p per share declared on 7 March 2024 in respect of the year ended 31 December 2023, and a first interim dividend of 5.50p per share declared on 10 May 2024, second interim dividend of 5.50p per share declared on 23 August 2024 and third interim dividend of 5.50p per share declared on 15 November 2024 in respect of the year ended 31 December 2024.

4 The Company's ongoing charges are calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets and using the management fee and all other operating expenses, excluding finance costs, direct transaction costs, custody transaction charges, VAT recovered, taxation and certain other non-recurring items for the year ended 31 December 2023.

5 The Company's ongoing charges are calculated as a percentage of average daily gross assets and using the management fee and all other operating expenses, excluding finance costs, direct transaction costs, custody transaction charges, VAT recovered, taxation and certain other non-recurring items for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Country Analysis	Total Assets (%)
Global	59.5
Canada	12.2
Latin America	8.8
Australasia	6.6
United States	5.5
Other Africa	3.8
South Africa	1.3
Indonesia	0.6
Net Current Assets	1.7
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	100.0
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Sector Analysis	Total Assets (%)
Diversified	33.3
Copper	24.4
Gold	21.6
Steel	4.7
Uranium	3.3
Iron Ore	3.1
Industrial Minerals	2.7
Aluminium	2.3
Platinum Group Metals	1.7
Nickel	1.1
Zinc	0.1
Net Current Assets	1.7
	-----
	100.0
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Ten largest investments
Company	Total Assets %
BHP:
Equity	7.0
Royalty	2.0
Rio Tinto	7.1
Glencore	5.9
Anglo American	5.8
Agnico Eagle Mines	5.1
Vale:
Debenture	2.6
Equity	1.8
Freeport-McMoRan	4.3
Wheaton Precious Metals	3.8
Cameco Corp	3.3
Barrick Gold	3.0

Asset Analysis	Total Assets (%)
Equity	94.9
Bonds	2.0
Preferred Stock	0.8
Convertible Bond	0.7
Option	-0.1
Net Current Assets	1.7
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	100.0
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Commenting on the markets, Evy Hambro and Olivia Markham, representing the Investment Manager noted:

Performance

The Company's NAV fell by 8.9% in December 2024, underperforming its reference index, the MSCI ACWI Metals and Mining 30% Buffer 10/40 Index (net return) which declined by 8.1% (performance figures in GBP).

December 2024 was a difficult month for the mining sector, which underperformed broader equity markets represented by the MSCI All Country World Index, which declined by 2.4%. The mining sector was impacted by concerns around US tariffs and their potential implications for global economic growth, particularly in relation to China. This situation has created uncertainty about the extent of stimulus measures that China may implement, resulting in mined commodity prices coming under pressure.

During the month, the base metals were hit the hardest, with nickel, copper and zinc prices falling by 3.6%, 2.7% and 5.0% respectively. Elsewhere, the iron ore (62% fe) price fell by 2.9%.

In the precious metals space, gold and silver prices both fell by 1.3%, as the US dollar strengthened significantly creating a headwind, with the DXY Index increasing from 105.7 to 108.5.

Turning to the companies, we saw profit-taking in the US-based steel names as interest rate expectations moved higher.

Strategy and Outlook

Near term, we expect performance to be driven by the China stimulus situation, which is evolving, and we are watching closely to see if it translates into a pickup in demand. Longer term, we expect mined commodity demand growth to be driven by increased global infrastructure build out, particularly related to the low carbon transition and increased power demand.

Meanwhile, the supply side of the equation is constrained. Mining companies have focused on capital discipline in recent years, meaning they have opted to pay down debt, reduce costs and return capital to shareholders, rather than investing in production growth. This is limiting new supply coming online and there is unlikely to be a quick fix, given the time lags involved in investing in new mining projects. The cost of new projects has also risen significantly and recent M&A activity in the sector suggests that, like us, strategic buyers see an opportunity in existing assets in the listed market, currently trading well below replacement costs. Other issues restricting supply include cases of governments closing mines, permitting issues and a general lack of shovel-ready projects. Turning to the companies, balance sheets in the sector are very strong relative to history. Despite this, valuations are low relative to historic averages and relative to broader equity markets.

23 January 2025

Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.com/uk/brwm on the internet. Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

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Release

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