For immediate release
10 June 2022
Serabi Gold plc
(“Serabi” or the “Company”)
Audited Results for the year ended 31
December 2021
Serabi (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI), the Brazilian focused
gold mining and development company, today releases its audited
results for the year ended 31 December 2021.and the unaudited
results for the three month period to 31 December 2021.
Key Financial Information
SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE
MONTHS ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2021 |
|
12 months to 31 Dec 2021
US$ |
3 months to 31 Dec 2021
US$ |
12 months to 31 Dec 2020 US$ |
3 months to 31 Dec 2020 US$ |
Revenue |
63,141,437 |
16,400,215 |
55,830,078 |
11,616,129 |
Cost of Sales |
(37,759,318) |
(10,531,621) |
(34,165,731) |
(9,237,743) |
Gross Operating Profit |
25,382,119 |
5,868,594 |
21,664,347 |
2,378,386 |
Administration and share based payments |
(6,256,505) |
(1,742,471) |
(6,144,281) |
(1,305,620) |
EBITDA |
19,125,614 |
4,126,123 |
15,520,066 |
1,072,766 |
Depreciation and amortisation charges |
(6,049,628) |
(1,956,539) |
(5,128,895) |
(412,086) |
Operating profit before finance and tax |
13,075,986 |
2,169,584 |
10,391,171 |
660,680 |
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) after tax |
9,949,964 |
2,288,363 |
7,031,025 |
411,758 |
Earnings per ordinary share (basic) |
13.85 cents |
3.02 cents |
11.92 cents |
(0.70 cents) |
|
|
|
|
|
Average gold price received |
US$1,776 |
US$1,772 |
US$1,727 |
US$1,841 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at 31 December
2021 |
As at 31 December 2020 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
12,217,751 |
6,603,620 |
Net assets |
|
|
79,885,501 |
57,747,524 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Cost and All-In Sustaining Cost (“AISC”) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 months to 31 December
2021 |
12 months to 31 December 2020 |
Gold production for cash cost and AISC
purposes |
|
|
33,848 ozs |
31,212 ozs |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cash Cost of production (per ounce) |
|
|
US$1,090 |
US$1,075 |
Total AISC of production (per ounce) |
|
|
US$1,429 |
US$1,374 |
Financial Highlights
- Revenue increase of 13 per cent to US$63.1 million (2020:
US$55.8 million) reflecting the eight per cent increase in gold
production.
- EBITDA of US$19.13 million also represents the best annual
performance for the Group (2020: US$15.52 million).
- Revenues and EBITDA are in line with consensus forecasts.
- Post tax profit of US$9.95 million represents the best annual
result for the Group and an increase of 42 per cent year on
year.
- Earnings per share of 13.85 cents compared with 11.92 cents for
2020.
- Average gold price of US$1,776 received on gold sales in 2021.
(2020: US$1,727).
- Cash Cost for the year of US$1,090 per ounce (2020:
US$1,075).
- All-In Sustaining Cost for the year of US$1,429 per ounce
(2020: US$1,374 per ounce) reflecting the additional US$2.45
million of mine development expenditure incurred in the year.
Clive Line, CFO of Serabi
commented,
We are delighted to have produced another year
of improving financial results, reporting EBITDA of US$19.1 million
representing a 23 per cent improvement year on year and a profit
after tax of US$9.95 million, which is a 42 per cent improvement
compared with 2020, despite facing a number of operational
challenges during 2021. This represents the highest level of annual
EBITDA and the highest level of post-tax annual profit ever
reported by the Group.
During the year, approximately US$9.4 million of
cash flow was generated by the mining operations (after mine
development capital), which compares with US$11.6 million in the
preceding year. This broadly reflects the US$2.4 million increase
in mine development expenditure during the year, a consequence of
the reduction in 2020 when operations were hampered by reduced
staffing levels as a result of the pandemic.
All outstanding debt that the Company held at
the start of the year was repaid and the final payments due for the
acquisition of Coringa were completed, assisted by the raising of
US$16.9 million through the issue of new shares and warrants in
March 2021.
Spending on exploration was increased during the
year with US$4.1 million being spent on exploration activity
including over 26,000 meters of surface exploration drilling. This
was on top of a further 34,500 metres of underground drilling, the
cost of which is generally treated as an on-going operational
expense.
With the successful commencement of the
underground development at Coringa during July 2021, expenditure on
the project has been US$4.4 million, which included the cost for
establishing the mine portal including the necessary steel and
concrete reinforcement works. As we have previously reported,
on-lode development has now started and some of the ore recovered
has been transported during May 2022 to the Palito processing site,
where full scale processing and ore sorting work will be
undertaken.
Cash Costs and All-In-Sustaining Costs have
increased marginally to US$1,090/oz and US$1,429/oz respectively
(2020: US$1,075/oz and US$1,374/oz) reflecting the inflationary
effects of the pandemic and the higher costs of mine development.
The increase in expenditure on mine development as we work to catch
up on work that could not be undertaken during the pandemic
accounts for an increase in the AISC of approximately US$75 year on
year.
The Julia Vein at Sao Chico had been expected to
continue to contribute a significant portion of the annual
production and consequently revenue for 2022. The problems that we
have encountered with higher levels of dilution, a result of long
hole stoping not having the necessary selectivity around the areas
directly impacted by the intrusive dykes will mean that projected
production for 2022 will be lower than originally forecast which
will impact on cash generation until such time as the work to
reconfigure the Julia area for more selective mining, and also open
up other production areas, is completed. We have in mitigation
adjusted the mine plan for Palito to incorporate production from
some additional areas of the deposit including the G3 vein which
has previously been a very productive part of the deposit.
Underground drilling being undertaken has identified some
additional veins and confirmed down dip extensions of several other
veins which bodes well for continuation of our success with
resource replenishment.
In May 2022, we completed a 12-month unsecured
loan for US$5 million with one of the major Brazilian banks. This
additional working capital offsets the unexpected reduction in
revenue and cash for the first quarter of 2022 and, whilst we are
continuing to restrict some discretionary expenditure to offset the
lower revenues anticipated for the rest of the year, this should
allow the Company to continue its progress with the development of
Coringa until such time as the longer-term funding for the main
project development and site construction is in place.
2021 was marred by the identification of some
financial irregularities. The consequent investigation was
completed during September of last year and following this we have
used the services Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Consultores Ltda in
Brazil (“Deloitte”) to establish an Internal Audit function
reporting to the Audit Committee. A legal process is underway to
recover funds that are considered to have been misappropriated, but
it is expected that it will be some time before the court
proceedings are completed.
Chairman’s Statement
In common with many other businesses, we have
continued to face challenges and through 2021 we have sought to
re-establish our activities as quickly as possible in an
environment that is still resetting itself following what we all
hope are the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we return
to normality, protecting the health of our employees, suppliers and
communities continues to be a priority, and the Company will
maintain its full commitment to be a safe place in this difficult
environment.
The development of our Coringa project remains
our immediate growth priority and it is very pleasing to see the
continued progress that we are making. As we reported in the first
quarter of 2022, the ramp development of the Serra orebody has
intersected the three known veins, with grades significantly higher
than we were expecting. All three veins have been intersected on
the 320m and 340m levels, with excellent results to date. Our plan
is now to develop the two principal veins, V1 and V3 to the north.
We have also introduced ‘resue’ development mining, where the ore
and waste can be blasted separately. The advantage of this
technique is that dilution of the ore coming out of the mine will
be minimised and allow us to build a high-grade stockpile over the
coming months, in preparation for plant feed in 2023.
The current development operations at Coringa
are being carried out under a trial mining licence (“GUIA”) that
allows us to undertake mining activities and perform some initial
processing of the ore and further test work at the Palito Complex.
We remain optimistic regarding the award of the Installation
Licence which is required before we can start construction of the
plant and the rest of the site infrastructure. Ongoing dialogue
with the relevant agencies involved with issuing this licence,
continues to be very positive and has not highlighted any concerns
with the project design. The agencies continue to follow the steps
and processes set down by the law to help expedite the issue of the
licence. Both the National Mining Agency (the “ANM”) and the State
environmental agency (“SEMAS”) have together with Serabi, filed
documents of protest with the relevant court authorities and the
court judge who is currently reviewing the need for any ongoing
intervention given that all proper processes are being followed.
The key issue has been confirmation that the needs of the
indigenous populations have been properly considered. In all steps
of the process Serabi, SEMAS and the ANM have observed their legal
and moral obligations consulting with and obtaining approval from
FUNAI, the national agency that protects the rights of indigenous
populations. A specific indigenous study that goes beyond the
requirements of the law is now expected to be completed during the
second quarter of 2022 and is intended to allay any further
concerns regarding the impact of mining activity at Coringa. In the
meantime, SEMAS have received letters from the indigenous tribes
confirming their support for the project. Discussions regarding the
additional funding that will be required for the longer term
development of Coringa, including the construction of the plant and
the necessary site infrastructure, remain on-going with a variety
of providers.
Brownfield exploration during 2021 brought some
excellent mine-site discoveries, especially around the current
Palito deposit, which will allow us to expand the operation during
the latter half of 2022. This growth is particularly important
after the lower than expected production in the fourth quarter of
2021 and the first quarter of 2022.
The last 12 months have been challenging and I
believe that the post pandemic effects on Serabi have been more
wide ranging than we originally anticipated. Whilst in 2020, it was
the pandemic itself that hampered operations, 2021 was a year when
supply chain delays became prevalent, as businesses in Brazil
accelerated output, but struggled to meet targets due to lack of
critical items. Since travel restrictions for non-nationals
travelling to Brazil were eased in the latter part of 2021,
Serabi’s executive management have spent a lot of time in country,
making a number of management changes and implementing numerous
operational actions.
At the Palito operation, whilst 2021 was a
better year than 2020, we still faced a number of challenges, and
the final quarter of 2021 as well as the first quarter of 2022 saw
lower than anticipated levels of production. The reasons for this
are twofold. In the Palito orebody, ongoing delays in the delivery
of a critical new mining fleet have hampered mine development and
therefore the speed at which new areas at Palito can be prepared
for mining. The brownfield exploration has brought some excellent
results over the past six months but accessing these resources and
translating them into reserves and production has not been possible
due to fleet shortage, which we have been waiting on since mid
2021. In the meantime, we have been reliant upon an aging fleet
that, with increasing maintenance downtime, is unable to provide
the required capacity. As a consequence of this delay, we have been
somewhat restricted in our production options and have, in the
short-term, needed to mine and process the ore that is in
immediately accessible blocks, including those with lower grades.
This has resulted in lower than anticipated production in the
fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. Nevertheless,
we are confident the already identified new vein structures will
allow us to increase production from the deposit during the
remainder of 2022 and in 2023. All new items of fleet have been or
are expected to be delivered during the second quarter of 2022.
Secondly, we have also experienced lower than
expected production from the São Chico orebody. During the second
half of 2021, we commenced production on the Julia Vein. Up until
then, most São Chico production has come from the Main Vein, where
mechanised long hole open stoping has proved to be an efficient and
effective mining method. During the second and third quarters of
2021, the Julia Vein was developed with the intention to again use
mechanised long hole open stoping. However, as we progressed
through the fourth quarter, it became clear that the levels of
dilution from stoping were far higher than forecast as a
consequence of the presence of multiple cross cutting faults and
intrusive dykes, which post-date the ore. These faults were not
easily identified in the initial drilling into the vein Through the
latter part of the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of
this year we installed significant amounts of ground support such
as cable bolts and leaving ground pillars to help minimise
dilution. This made some marginal improvements, but production
rates were nevertheless greatly reduced, with the drilling
equipment and manpower being utilised just as much for ground
support activity as they have been for production. During February
2022, the decision was made to stop the long hole method on the
Julia Vein, and introduce selective open stoping, with air-legs, as
used in most areas of the Palito orebody. This will bring improved
grades by minimising dilution through greater selectivity. However,
this is not an overnight change. It is slower, and therefore needs
preparation time, but continuing with long hole mining is not a
viable option. A consequence is that 1,000 ounces of production
scheduled from São Chico in February by long hole, was delayed and
will now be mined selectively during both the second quarter and
over the rest of the year.
This decision to move away from long hole to
selective mining methods means the reliance on production ounces
will, in the near term, move away from the São Chico orebody to the
Palito orebody, with operations at São Chico focusing far more on
mine development with a view to a return to normal production in
2023. In parallel to this, during the second half of 2022, we will
be increasing production from the Palito orebody. As a result, it
is unlikely that we will be able to maintain quarterly production
at a level of around 9,000 ounces, and we will focus on producing
profitable ounces and maximising operational cashflow rather than
production growth for the rest of the year. This has required us to
lower our production guidance for 2022 to be in the region of
30,000 ounces but expect a return to previous levels once access
has been gained to the new working areas.
I am pleased to say that these decisions are
beginning to bear fruit with some much-improved grades and daily
production in March and April. We will make every effort to exceed
the revised guidance and have already taken and implemented the
decision to bring in 34 specialised selective miners to help
accelerate the transition back to selective mining at São Chico and
increase production from Palito. There are multiple smaller,
higher-grade areas in upper levels, that require minimal
development and access, but lend themselves to selective mining and
these can provide additional ounces. This transition to the more
selective mining method going forward to emphasise quality over
quantity, means an increased focus on reducing costs, moving less
volume and optimising the operation rather than just chasing scale.
The real scale change will be driven by the successful start-up of
Coringa.
Exploration results from the Palito Mine have
been very encouraging. The Ipe and Mogno veins in the Chica da
Santa sector, which was a key part of the Palito production during
2021, have demonstrated the depth potential and continued high
grades of the sector. Lateral extensions of the deposit comprising
the Piaui sector to the southwest and Pele sector to the northeast
also bode well with both sectors expected to support resource
replenishment, growth and future production at the Palito Mine
while ensuring a successful future for this long-life asset. The
drilling into Piaui has really opened up the deposit to the
southwest. The Piaui sector hosts two veins, which have now been
drilled over a strike length of 500m and 200m vertical depth. Plans
are now being finalised to cross cut to this sector from the Senna
Vein later this year.
The potential of Palito both along strike, at
depth and now laterally is very evident. From Pele in the east and
Piaui in the west, the deposit now comprises a series of veins
within a 1,000m wide corridor. Over the next 12 months, we will be
expanding the Palito orebody considerably as we access these new
sectors.
The reduction in revenues that we will
experience in 2022 will impact the level of cash that can be
generated and have necessitated restricting discretionary
expenditure including exploration activity. I hope that this will
be temporary and that we can pick up on some of exciting
exploration opportunities with funding being provided by
operational cash-flow as gold production grows.
Whilst the last two years have been tough
operationally due to global supply chain issues and impacts of
Covid, we are confident in Serabi’s future. The Palito orebody
remains the engine room to our production base but with a
turnaround expected at São Chico this year and the material growth
from Coringa, our strategy remains to turn Serabi into a
multi-asset gold miner with production approaching 100koz within
the next few years.
Nicolas Bañados
Chairman
Serabi’s Directors Report and Financial
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 together the
Chairman’s Statement will be available from the Company’s website –
www.serabigold.com and will be posted on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
The information contained within this
announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside
information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU)
No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. . The person who arranged the
release of this statement on behalf of the Company was Clive Line,
Director.
Enquiries:
Serabi
Gold plc |
|
Michael
Hodgson |
Tel: +44
(0)20 7246 6830 |
Chief
Executive |
Mobile:
+44 (0)7799 473621 |
|
|
Clive
Line |
Tel: +44
(0)20 7246 6830 |
Finance
Director |
Mobile:
+44 (0)7710 151692 |
|
|
Email:
contact@serabigold.com |
|
Website:
www.serabigold.com |
|
|
|
Beaumont
Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser and Financial Adviser |
|
Roland
Cornish / Michael Cornish |
Tel: +44
(0)20 7628 3396 |
|
|
Peel Hunt
LLP Joint UK Broker |
|
Ross
Allister / Alexander Allen |
Tel: +44
(0)20 7418 9000 |
|
|
Tamesis
Partners LLP Joint UK Broker |
|
Charlie
Bendon / Richard Greenfield |
Tel: +44
(0)20 3882 2868 |
|
|
Camarco Financial
PR |
|
Gordon
Poole / Emily Hall |
Tel:
+44(0) 20 3757 4980 |
Copies of this announcement are available from
the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any
other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved
of the contents of this announcement.
Annual Report
The Annual Report has been published by the
Company on its website at www.serabigold.com and printed copies are
expected to be available before 30 June 2022. Additional copies
will be available to the public, free of charge, from the Company's
offices at The Long Barn, Cobham Park Road, Downside, Surrey, KT11
3NE and will be available to download from the Company’s website at
www.serabigold.com.
The data included in the selected annual
information tables below is taken from the Company’s annual audited
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021, which
were prepared in accordance with international accounting standards
in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The
Parent Company financial statements have also been prepared in
accordance with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to
companies reporting under International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”).
The audited financial statements for the year
ended 31 December 2021 will be presented to shareholders for
adoption at the next General Meeting of the Company’s shareholders
and filed with the Registrar of Companies.
The following information, comprising, the
Income Statement, the Group Balance Sheet, Group Statement of
Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, and Group Cash Flow, is extracted
from these financial statements.
Statement of Comprehensive
Income
For the year ended 31 December 2021
|
|
Group |
|
|
For the
year ended 31 December 2021 |
For the
year ended 31 December 2020 |
|
Notes |
US$ |
US$ |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
63,141,437 |
55,830,078 |
Cost of
sales |
|
(37,759,318) |
(33,127,648) |
Provision
for impairment of State taxes receivable |
|
– |
(1,038,083) |
Depreciation and amortisation charges |
|
(6,049,628) |
(5,128,895) |
Total cost of sales |
|
(43,808,946) |
(39,294,626) |
Gross profit |
|
19,332,491 |
16,535,452 |
Administration expenses |
|
(5,825,655) |
(5,856,760) |
Share-based
payments |
|
(270,631) |
(533,264) |
(Loss)/gain on disposal of fixed assets |
|
(160,219) |
245,743 |
Operating profit |
|
13,075,986 |
10,391,171 |
Foreign
exchange (loss)/gain |
|
(41,456) |
(214,845) |
Finance
expense |
4 |
(261,825) |
(1,763,240) |
Finance income |
4 |
585,840 |
74,403 |
Profit before taxation |
|
13,358,545 |
8,487,489 |
Income tax expense |
|
(3,408,581) |
(1,456,464) |
Profit for the period(1) |
|
9,949,964 |
7,031,025 |
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (net of tax) |
|
|
|
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or
loss |
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations |
|
(4,643,212) |
(15,591,140) |
Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the
period(1) |
|
5,306,752 |
(8,560,115) |
Earnings per ordinary share (basic) (1) |
5 |
13.85c |
11.92c |
Earnings per ordinary share (diluted) (1) |
5 |
12.97c |
11.10c |
(1)
The Group has no
non-controlling interests and all profits are attributable to the
equity holders of the parent company.
Balance Sheet as at 31 December
2021
|
|
|
|
Group |
|
|
|
|
At 31 December 2021 |
At 31 December 2020 |
|
|
|
|
US$ |
US$ |
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
exploration costs |
|
|
|
34,857,905 |
27,778,354 |
Property,
plant and equipment |
|
|
|
27,575,335 |
26,235,551 |
Right of use
assets |
|
|
|
2,600,631 |
2,573,738 |
Taxes
receivable |
|
|
|
605,125 |
696,077 |
Deferred taxation |
|
|
|
1,224,360 |
1,879,158 |
Total non-current assets |
|
|
|
66,863,356 |
59,162,878 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
|
6,973,207 |
6,979,438 |
Trade and
other receivables |
|
|
|
2,307,458 |
1,936,044 |
Prepayments |
|
|
|
2,316,669 |
1,554,991 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
12,217,751 |
6,603,620 |
Total current assets |
|
|
|
23,815,085 |
17,074,093 |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and
other payables |
|
|
|
5,624,511 |
6,846,202 |
Interest-bearing liabilities |
|
|
|
290,060 |
8,726,302 |
Derivative
financial liabilities |
|
|
|
– |
390,456 |
Accruals |
|
|
|
397,400 |
292,089 |
Total current liabilities |
|
|
|
6,311,971 |
16,255,049 |
Net current assets |
|
|
|
17,503,114 |
819,044 |
Total assets less current liabilities |
|
|
|
84,366,470 |
59,981,922 |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and
other payables |
|
|
|
427,663 |
91,916 |
Provisions |
|
|
|
2,581,431 |
1,467,032 |
Deferred tax
liability |
|
|
|
861,430 |
324,519 |
Derivative
financial liabilities |
|
|
|
165,495 |
– |
Interest-bearing liabilities |
|
|
|
444,950 |
350,931 |
Total non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
4,480,969 |
2,234,398 |
Net assets |
|
|
|
79,885,501 |
57,747,524 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
Share
capital |
|
|
|
11,213,618 |
8,905,116 |
Share
premium reserve |
|
|
|
36,158,068 |
21,905,976 |
Option
reserve |
|
|
|
1,075,348 |
1,173,044 |
Other
reserves |
|
|
|
13,694,731 |
10,254,048 |
Translation
reserve |
|
|
|
(68,648,170) |
(64,004,958) |
Retained surplus |
|
|
|
86,391,906 |
79,514,298 |
Equity shareholders’ funds attributable to owners of the
parent |
|
|
|
79,885,501 |
57,747,524 |
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’
Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2021
Group |
Share
capital |
Share
premium |
Share
option reserve |
Other
reserves |
Translation
reserve |
Retained
surplus |
Total
equity |
|
US$ |
US$ |
US$ |
US$ |
US$ |
US$ |
US$ |
Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December
2019 |
8,882,803 |
21,752,430 |
1,019,589 |
7,149,274 |
(48,413,818) |
75,208,238 |
65,598,516 |
Foreign currency adjustments |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(15,591,140) |
– |
(15,591,140) |
Profit for year |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
7,031,025 |
7,031,025 |
Total comprehensive income for the year |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(15,591,140) |
7,031,025 |
(8,560,115) |
Shares
issued in period |
22,313 |
153,546 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
175,859 |
Transfer to
taxation reserve |
– |
– |
– |
3,104,774 |
– |
(3,104,774) |
– |
Share
options exercised in period |
– |
– |
(31,752) |
– |
– |
31,752 |
– |
Share
options lapsed in period |
– |
– |
(348,057) |
– |
– |
348,057 |
– |
Share option expense |
– |
– |
533,264 |
– |
– |
– |
533,264 |
Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December
2020 |
8,905,116 |
21,905,976 |
1,173,044 |
10,254,048 |
(64,004,958) |
79,514,298 |
57,747,524 |
Foreign currency adjustments |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(4,643,212) |
– |
(4,643,212) |
Profit for year |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
9,949,964 |
9,949,964 |
Total comprehensive income for the year |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(4,643,212) |
9,949,964 |
5,306,752 |
Shares
issued in period |
2,308,502 |
14,252,092 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
16,560,594 |
Transfer to
taxation reserve |
– |
– |
– |
3,440,683 |
– |
(3,440,683) |
– |
Share
options lapsed in period |
– |
– |
(368,327) |
– |
– |
368,327 |
– |
Share option expense |
– |
– |
270,631 |
– |
– |
– |
270,631 |
Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December
2021 |
11,213,618 |
36,158,068 |
1,075,348 |
13,694,731 |
(68,648,170) |
86,391,906 |
79,885,501 |
Other reserves comprise a merger reserve of
US$361,461 and a taxation reserve of US$13,333,270 (2020: merger
reserve of US$361,461 and taxation reserve of US$9,892,587).
Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2021
|
|
|
Group |
|
|
|
|
For the year ended 31 December 2021 |
For the year ended 31 December 2020 |
|
|
|
|
US$ |
US$ |
Cash outflows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for
the period |
|
|
|
9,949,964 |
7,031,025 |
Net
financial expense |
|
|
|
(282,559) |
1,903,682 |
Depreciation
– plant, equipment and mining properties |
|
|
|
6,049,628 |
5,128,895 |
Taxation
expense |
|
|
|
3,408,581 |
1,456,464 |
Share-based
payments |
|
|
|
270,631 |
587,970 |
Loss/(gain)
on fixed asset sales |
|
|
|
160,219 |
(245,743) |
Taxation
paid |
|
|
|
(1,125,382) |
(466,604) |
Interest
paid |
|
|
|
(1,302,708) |
(285,567) |
Foreign
exchange (loss) / gain |
|
|
|
(104,531) |
129,533 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in working capital |
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase)
in inventories |
|
|
|
(331,400) |
(1,843,621) |
(Increase)
in receivables, prepayments and accrued income |
|
|
|
(1,259,952) |
(770,571) |
(Decrease)/increase in payables, accruals and provisions |
|
|
|
(637,285) |
1,930,609 |
Increase in short-term intercompany payables |
|
|
|
– |
– |
Net cash inflow from operations |
|
|
|
14,795,206 |
14,556,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
payment for subsidiary |
|
|
|
(5,500,000) |
(6,500,000) |
Acquisition
of other property rights |
|
|
|
(101,106) |
(634,594) |
Purchase of
property, plant, equipment, and projects in construction |
|
|
|
(4,132,914) |
(2,545,575) |
Mine
development expenditure |
|
|
|
(5,400,933) |
(2,952,943) |
Geological
exploration expenditure |
|
|
|
(4,102,530) |
(2,425,440) |
Pre-operational project costs |
|
|
|
(4,354,954) |
(1,330,469) |
Proceeds
from sale of assets |
|
|
|
379,347 |
627,447 |
Interest received and other finance income |
|
|
|
– |
911 |
Net cash outflow on investing activities |
|
|
|
(23,213,090) |
(15,760,663) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Issue of
ordinary share capital (net of costs) |
|
|
|
16,560,593 |
– |
Issue of
warrants |
|
|
|
333,936 |
– |
Repayment of
convertible loan |
|
|
|
(2,000,000) |
– |
Payment of
convertible loan arrangement fee |
|
|
|
(300,000) |
– |
Convertible
loan note receipts |
|
|
|
– |
2,000,000 |
Repayment of
short-term secured loan |
|
|
|
– |
(6,983,492) |
Payment of
lease liabilities |
|
|
|
(355,836) |
(397,490) |
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing
activities |
|
|
|
14,238,694 |
(5,380,982) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
(decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
5,820,810 |
(6,585,573) |
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
|
6,603,620 |
14,234,612 |
Exchange difference on cash |
|
|
|
(206,679) |
(1,045,419) |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
|
|
12,217,751 |
6,603,620 |
Notes
1. General
Information
The financial information set out above for the
years ended 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020 does not
constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006 but is derived from those accounts. Whilst the
financial information included in this announcement has been
compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”) this announcement itself does not contain
sufficient financial information to comply with IFRS. A copy of the
statutory accounts for 2020 has been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies and those for 2021 will be delivered to the Registrar of
Companies following approval by shareholders at the Annual General
Meeting. The full audited financial statements for the years end 31
December 2021 and 31 December 2020 comply with IFRS.
2. Auditor’s
Opinion
The auditor has issued an unqualified opinion in
respect of the financial statements for both 2021 and 2020 which do
not contain any statements under the Companies Act 2006, Section
498(2) or Section 498(3). The auditor’s opinion in respect of the
financial statements for 2021, does however contain a material
uncertainty related to going concern. As detailed in the note
regarding the Basis of Preparation set out below, in order to fund
the continued development of the Coringa mine and repay the Group’s
US$5 million bank loan which will mature in May 2023, the Group
will need to raise additional funding which could include a
combination of bank debt, royalty, streaming of gold and copper
revenues or new equity capital.
It is however emphasised that the auditor’s
opinion is not qualified in respect of this material
uncertainty.
3. Basis of
Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with international accounting standards in conformity
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The Parent Company
financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with
those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies
reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards
(“IFRS”).
Accounting standards, amendments and
interpretations effective in 2021
The Group has not adopted any standards or
interpretations in advance of the required implementation
dates.
The following new standards, amendments or
interpretations applicable to periods beginning on or after 1
January 2021 were each effective as of 1 January 2021:
|
Effective
date |
COVID-19-Related rent Concession (Amendment to IFRS 16) |
1 June
2020 |
Amendments
to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 Interest Rate
benchmark Reform – Phase 2 |
1 January
2021 |
The adoption of these standards has had no effect
on the financial results of the Group.
There are a number of standards, amendments to
standards, and interpretations which have been issued that are
effective in future periods and which the Group has chosen not to
adopt early. A new standard Property, Plant and Equipment –
Proceeds before Intended Use (amendments to IAS 16) which is
effective 1 January 2022 will impact the Group as it develops the
Coringa mine. In the event that the Group realises sales revenues
prior to a declaration of commercial production it will now be
required to recognise the proceeds from sales and the costs of
production in profit and loss. Previously the sales would have been
treated as a deduction from the cost of bringing an item (or items)
of property, plant and equipment to the location and condition
necessary to be capable of operating in the manner intended by
management.
Of the remaining standards, amendments to
standards, and interpretations, none of these are expected to have
a significant effect on the Group, in particular.
|
Effective
date |
Onerous
Contracts - Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS
37) |
1 January
2022 |
Annual
Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 |
1 January
2022 |
Reference to
Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3) |
1 January
2022 |
IFRS 17
Insurance Contracts, including Amendments to IFRS 17 |
1 January
2023 |
Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments
to IAS 1) and Classification of Liabilities as Current or
Non-current – Deferral of Effective Date |
1 January
2023 |
Investigation into Unsubstantiated
Payments
During 2021 an investigation into certain
unsubstantiated cash withdrawals and irregularities relating to the
payment of travel advances and expense claims was commissioned by
the Board and by the Audit Committee and was completed. The value
of the irregularities relating to the payment of travel advances
and expense claims incurred during 2021 was US$116,000 with further
transactions totalling US$29,000 identified as being improperly
documented. The total value of all unsubstantiated cash withdrawals
identified by the review was US$349,000 with irregularities
relating to the payment of travel advances totalling US$510,000 and
expense claims totalling approximately US$904,000. The review
concluded that all costs have been expensed through the Group’s
income statement in each of the relevant years and no adjustment to
previously disclosed financial results of the Group was
required.
Going concern and availability of
finance
At 31 December 2021, the Group held cash of
US$12.2 million and has subsequently reported that at 31 March it
held cash of US$6.9 million with a further receipt of US$1.6
million for a sale of copper/gold concentrate due to be received in
early April having been delayed from March following late changes
in sailing schedules. The reduction in cash reflects the
continued development expenditure of Coringa during the quarter,
and the reduced level of sales revenue generated in the period as a
result of lower production.
The Group has advised that in light of the
issues encountered in the mining of the Julia Vein at São Chico, it
has reduced its production guidance for the remainder of 2022
whilst it reconfigures the Julia Vein for selective mining and
undertakes further evaluation and development of other sectors of
the São Chico deposit. This will reduce revenue for the rest
of 2022 and will therefore impact on the ability of the Group to
generate positive cash flow for the rest of 2022. Management
have already taken actions to reduce some of the operational costs
and is evaluating further options to generate additional gold
production to improve cash generation. This includes the
transportation and processing of high grade ore recovered from the
current mine development being undertaken at Coringa. The
first trucks began transporting ore during May 2022. In
addition, in the short term, the Group has negotiated a US$5
million unsecured loan with a Brazilian bank for an initial 12
month period to ease any immediate working capital pressure.
These funds were received during May 2022.
The Directors have prepared an operational plan
and cash flow forecast based on their best judgement of the
operational performance of the Group for the next 18 months using
economic assumptions that the Directors consider are reasonable in
the current global economic climate. This plan assumes,
interalia, that during the rest of 2022 and for 2023, the Group
will be successful in mining higher levels of gold from its Palito
orebody than it originally planned for and will continue to
generate a limited level of gold production from São Chico, albeit
at lower levels than 2021 and those previously planned for 2022,
due to the issues encountered at the Julia Vein. In addition, the
Group will, as a temporary measure, transport Coringa ore for
processing at the Palito Complex. To manage costs, discretionary
expenditures will be minimised including further regional
exploration drilling which has now been suspended.
Although the Group’s operational plan
incorporates the processing of some of the ore recovered from the
planned development of the Coringa mine at the Palito complex, the
Group’s plan is to construct a gold processing plant at Coringa.
The estimated cost of the full-scale development of the
Coringa project reported in the Coringa PEA, including necessary
mine development, the erection of a gold processing plant and other
site infrastructure was estimated to be approximately US$24.7
million before sustainable positive cash flow is achieved.
While the Group plans to restrict development
activity to a level that can be supported by available financial
resources, in order to fund the longer term continued development
of Coringa including a gold processing facility, and repay the
Group’s debt, which comprises a 12 month, US$5 million bank loan
maturing in May 2023, the Group intends to obtain additional
funding. This funding may be generated from a variety of sources
which could include a combination of bank debt, royalty, streaming
of gold and copper revenues, new equity capital and cash flow from
the current operations. The Group has been successful in
raising funding as and when required in the past and the Directors
consider that the Group continues to have strong support from its
major shareholders who been supportive of and provided additional
funding when required on previous occasions.
As such, whilst the expenditure on the
development of Coringa will be incurred over a period of nine to
twelve months it is the intention of management that firm
commitments for the majority of this funding must have been secured
and there is strong confidence that the balance of any remaining
financing requirement is available prior to commencing the
full-scale development.
Whilst recognising the uncertainty that has been
created by the need to adjust the operational plan during the first
half of the year and the lower levels of gold production that are
now forecast as a result, the Directors and management are
confident of their ability to raise additional finance and that the
Group’s operations will perform at the levels that they now
anticipate over the next 18 month period. However, an inability to
raise new finance, unplanned interruptions or further reductions in
gold production, unforeseen reductions of the gold price or
appreciation of the Brazilian Real could adversely affect the level
of free cash flow available to the Group.
These material uncertainties may cast
significant doubt upon the Group’s ability to continue as a going
concern and therefore its ability to settle its debts and realise
its assets in the normal course of business. Notwithstanding these
material uncertainties, the Directors have a reasonable expectation
that the Group has adequate resources to continue in existence for
the foreseeable future and have concluded it is appropriate to
adopt the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of
the financial statements. The financial statements do not include
the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to
continue as a going concern.
4. Finance
expense and income
|
Group |
|
For
the |
For
the |
|
year
ended |
year
ended |
|
31 December
2021 |
31 December
2020 |
|
US$ |
US$ |
Interest expense on secured loan |
– |
(203,127) |
Interest
expense on convertible loan |
(47,502) |
(152,943) |
Interest
expense on mineral property acquisition liability |
(23,854) |
(1,035,904) |
Unwinding of
discount on rehabilitation provision |
– |
(141,466) |
Amortisation
of arrangement fee for convertible loan |
(150,000) |
(150,000) |
Recognition
of variation in effective interest rate of secured loan |
– |
(79,800) |
Finance
expense in respect of non-substantial modification |
(40,469) |
– |
Interest payable |
(261,825) |
(1,763,240) |
Gain on revaluation of derivative |
– |
33,023 |
Unwinding of
discount on rehabilitation provision |
417,399 |
– |
Gain on
warrants |
168,441 |
– |
Gain in
respect of non-substantial modification |
– |
40,469 |
Finance income on short-term deposits |
– |
911 |
Finance income |
585,840 |
74,403 |
Net finance income/(expense) |
324,015 |
(1,688,837) |
5. Earnings
per Share
|
|
For the year ended 31 December 2021 |
For the year ended 31 December 2020 |
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (US$) |
9,949,964 |
7,031,025 |
Weighted average ordinary shares in issue |
71,829,223 |
58,981,340 |
Basic profit per share (US cents) |
13.85 |
11.92 |
Diluted ordinary shares in issue |
76,726,221(1) |
63,362,744(2) |
Diluted profit per share (US cents) |
12.97 |
11.10 |
(1) Based on 1,166,670 options vested and
exercisable as at 31 December 2021.
(2) Based on 2,345,088 options vested and
exercisable as at 31 December 2020 and 2,036,316 shares that could
be issued pursuant to any exercise of conversion rights attaching
to the convertible loan notes as at 31 December 2020.
6. Post
balance sheet events
On 19 April 2022, the Company advised that
dilution in the Julia Vein which forms part of the Sao Chico
deposit and which is being mined by mechanised long hole open
stoping was higher than expected as a consequence of the presence
of parallel and cross cutting faults and intrusive dykes which
post-date the ore. This level of faulting appears to be unique to
the Julia Vein. The Company advised that it would introduce
selective open stoping, the method used successfully on the Palito
orebody, and which over time is expected to improve grades by
minimising dilution through greater selectivity in the mining.
1,000 ounces of production which had been scheduled from São Chico
in February by long hole, would now be mined selectively during the
second quarter and over the rest of the year.
The Company further advised that as a result of
the decision to mine selectively on the Julia Vein, the reliance on
production ounces would, in the near term, focus on the Palito
orebody, with operations at São Chico focusing more on mine
development with a view to a return to planned production levels
later in the year and into 2023. In the short term the Company
advised that it would be focusing on producing profitable ounces
and maximising operational cashflow rather than production growth
for the rest of the year. The Company reduced production guidance
for 2022 from the previously declared level of 36,000 to 38,000
ounces to being in the region of 30,000 ounces.
On 17 May 2022, the Company completed a US$5.1
million unsecured loan arrangement with a Brazilian bank. The loan
is repayable as a bullet payment on 12 May 2023 and carries an
interest coupon of 6.6 per cent.
Except as set out above, there has been no item,
transaction or event of a material or unusual nature likely, in the
opinion of the Directors of the Company, to affect significantly
the continuing operation of the entity, the results of these
operations, or the state of affairs of the entity in future
financial periods.
Qualified Persons Statement
The scientific and technical information
contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved
by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an
Economic Geologist by training with over 30 years' experience in
the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of
London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a
Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a
Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognising
him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian
National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining
and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are, or
may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking
statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as
‘‘believe’’, ‘‘could’’, “should” ‘‘envisage’’, ‘‘estimate’’,
‘‘intend’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those,
variations or comparable expressions, including references to
assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on
historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations
and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth, results of
operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures
(including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof),
competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such
forward looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs
and assumptions and are based on information currently available to
the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to
differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking
statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general
economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and
other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the
availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel,
uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which
are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward looking
statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the
Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot
assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such
forward looking statements.
ENDS
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